1. Biological Agents

2. Biological Agents - definition: A micro-organism (including those which have been genetically modified), a cell culture, and a human endoparasite which may be able to provoke any infection, allergy or toxicity...

3. Biological Agents - definition ctd.:
…classified into 4 risk groups according to their level of risk of infection
Group 1: Unlikely to cause human disease.
Group 2: Can cause human disease and might be a hazard to employees but unlikely to spread to the community.

4. Group 3: Can cause severe human disease and presents a serious hazard to employees and may present a risk of spreading to the community (usually effective prophylaxis or treatment).

5. Group 4 : Which causes severe human disease and is a serious hazard to employees and may present a high risk of spreading to the community - usually NO effective prophylaxis or treatment).

6. Put them in order of danger…
Hepatitis B virus
Fasciola Hepatica
Ebola virus
Staphylococcus aureus
E. coli 0103

7. Class 2
Fasciola Hepatica
Staphylococcus aureus
Class 3
Hepatitis B virus (* V D)
E. coli 0103 (* T)
Class 4
Ebola virus

8. Legislation Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 1994.
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Amendment Regulations 1998.

9. Reg. 3 - Employer’s Duties
avoid use
prevent exposure where risk shown (R.A.)
reduce exposure to as low as possible
apply schedule 2
good safety & hygiene principles even where low risk
not deliberate work (schedule 1) - comply with key regs.

10. Reg Risk Assessment
The process of evaluating and ranking the risks to health and safety at work arising from hazards at the workplace.

11. +Your work /Alter ?? SAFE ?? YES NO Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment
Review Biological Agent Stop
+Your work /Alter ?? SAFE ??
YES NO

12. Reg Risk Assessment
Assess risk: nature, degree & duration of exposure, safety measures
written
several groups: all hazardous agents
renew regularly
relevant information: classification,disease info., potential allergic or toxigenic effects
knowledge of the disease
recommendations from H.S.A.

13. RA - Also consider Means of infection
If not classified - what likely classification (err on the higher risk level)
Persons at risk
..Particularly “Special Risk Gps” e.g. pregnant employees
The dose
Nature of the work

14. Reg.. 5 - Information/Notification
RA and relevant information to H. S. A.
where RA reveals risk to health to provide appropriate information (RA results, # of employees exposed, emergency plan)
inform H.S.A. of accident/incident
notification to H.S.A. of 1st time work with class 2-3 biol. Agents, etc.
notification details.

15. Reg.. 6 - Protective Measures
No eating/drinking
provide suitable PPE
suitable hygiene facilities
PPE arrangements
sample procedures

16. Reg.. 6 - Protective Measures ctd.
work clothes separate from PPE
decont./cleaning procedures - PPE/clothes
apply special protective measures from RA
vaccination procedure
recommendations of Schedule 5

17. Reg.. 7 - Information, Training…
Provide sufficient training health risks, precautions, hygiene, PPE., accident procedures
other employers/employee
induction training and updating
written instructions, display notices
communication in the event of an emerg.

18. Reg.. 8 - Reporting Accidents
Employee’s duty to report any accident/incident.

19. Reg.. 9 - Records Record of employee exposed to Gp. 3/4 for 10 years
for at least 40 years where potential disease indications needed
access to personal information
access to relevant collective information
access to relevant agencies, personnel

20. Reg.. 10. Health Surveillance
Provide relevant health surveillance

21. Reg. 10. Healthcare/Veterinary Work
Pay particular attention to the risks of this work
Pay particular attention to the uncertainties of such work UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
Decontamination/dis-infection procedures
Waste procedures
Isolation facilities - Gp 3 or 4

22. Reg Labs, Animal Rooms
Determine containment measures Gp. 2, 3 or 4 for research, development, teaching or diagnostic purposes.
Carryout work in accordance with relevant containment level
Uncertainty - level 2 may cause disease but not cultivating/concentrating BA
Containment level 3 or 4 when appropriate

23. Schedules 1 - Indicative list of Activities
2 - Risk Reduction Measures
3 - Biohazard Sign
4 - Classification of Biological Agents (amended by 1998 Regs).

24. Schedules 5 - Vaccination Practice 6 - Health Surveillance
7 - Containment measures/levels
8 - Industrial Processes

25. Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2
Eliminate - substitute - limit use of agent;
limit number of employees exposed;
use engineering controls;
minimise release
use collective (then individual) protective measures;

26. Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2
use hygiene measures;
use signs;
emergency plans
testing for agent
waste handling
handling procedures

27. Biohazard sign
BLACK ON A YELLOW BACKGROUND

28. Biological Safety Cabinet
PRACTICAL POINTS
Biological Safety Cabinet
Vrs
Laminar Flow Cabinet

29. (Including decontamination procedures)
PRACTICAL POINTS
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
(Including decontamination procedures)

30. (autoclaving, secure storage)
PRACTICAL POINTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
(autoclaving, secure storage)

31. Resources Health & Safety Exective (UK) Material
BS 5726 (1992) - Biological Safety Cabinets Parts 1-4
Codes of Practice
SOPs