Biosafety, Biohazards and Bloodborne Pathogens
Biosafety Plan
The Biosafety Plan has been developed to provide guidance and procedures for the safe handling of biological materials in research.
Laboratories must follow the guidelines as described in Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 6th Edition, for working with all potential biohazards in the lab. Laboratories are encouraged to call the EHS Office for guidance and assistance.
Any work involving the use of animals in research must be reviewed and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee, under the direction of the Animal Welfare Program. The goal of the Animal Welfare Program is to ensure that animals at Wake Forest are always treated ethically and humanely. It is comprised of several components: the Institutional Official, the Attending Veterinarian and care program, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, training in the care of laboratory animals, and the Animal Research Oversight unit.
Prior to working with human blood or bodily fluids, lab personnel must be trained in the WFU Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (BBP ECP). The ECP is designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other bloodborne pathogens.
Persons working with human blood or bodily fluids and those who are reasonably expected to be potentially exposed must take the Bloodborne Pathogen Training, and complete the Hepatitis B Vaccination documentation and return to EHS.
In addition, researchers working with human blood or bodily fluids should complete the Bloodborne Pathogen Checklist prior to beginning research and review with the EHS Department.
Work with infectious agents must follow the same IBC approval process as research with recombinant DNA. Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents.
Individuals or laboratories planning on using recombinant DNA in research must first file an application with the Wake Forest University Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The IBC establishes and maintains a control system for the use and management of biohazards within all campuses of the University. A copy of the approved application must be kept within the laboratory where research is performed.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have published NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, to be followed when using recombinant or synthetic DNA or RNA in research. The IBC uses these guidelines during the application approval to ensure all requirements are met.
The Department of Transportation regulates the shipment of hazardous materials.
Contact EHS to schedule biological shipments.