Biological
Agents
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...
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.
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).
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).
Put them in order of danger…
Hepatitis B virus
Fasciola Hepatica
Ebola virus
Staphylococcus aureus
E. coli 0103
Class 2
Fasciola Hepatica
Staphylococcus aureus
Class 3
Hepatitis B virus (* V D)
E. coli 0103 (* T)
Class 4
Ebola virus
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.
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.
Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment
The process of evaluating and
ranking the risks to health and
safety at work arising from hazards
at the workplace.
Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment
Review
YES
Biological Agent
+Your work
?? SAFE ??
NO
Stop
/Alter
Reg.. 4 - 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.
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
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.
Reg.. 6 - Protective Measures
No eating/drinking
provide suitable PPE
suitable hygiene facilities
PPE arrangements
sample procedures
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
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.
Reg.. 8 - Reporting Accidents
Employee’s duty to report any
accident/incident.
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
Reg.. 10. Health Surveillance
 Provide relevant health
surveillance
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
Reg.. 11 - 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
Schedules
1 - Indicative list of Activities
2 - Risk Reduction Measures
3 - Biohazard Sign
4 - Classification of Biological
Agents (amended by 1998 Regs).
Schedules
5 - Vaccination Practice
6 - Health Surveillance
7 - Containment measures/levels
8 - Industrial Processes
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;
Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2
use hygiene measures;
use signs;
emergency plans
testing for agent
waste handling
handling procedures
Biohazard sign
BLACK ON A YELLOW BACKGROUND
PRACTICAL POINTS
Biological Safety Cabinet
Vrs
Laminar Flow Cabinet
PRACTICAL POINTS
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
(Including decontamination
procedures)
PRACTICAL POINTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
(autoclaving, secure storage)
Resources
 Health & Safety Exective (UK) Material
 BS 5726 (1992) - Biological Safety Cabinets
Parts 1-4
 Codes of Practice
 SOPs