Biosafety & Biosecurity in the Laboratory. Based on the OIE Terrestrial Manual for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines

Transcription

1 Biosafety & Biosecurity in the Laboratory Based on the OIE Terrestrial Manual for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines

2 Keeping people and animals safe

3 Keeping samples safe

4 Definitions Biosafety: The measures necessary to safeguard human health and safety in the laboratory Biosecurity: The measures necessary to ensure containment of pathogens in the laboratory and to prevent laboratory contamination

5 Importance of biosafety and biosecurity Responsibility to protect people in the workplace as well as the general public Responsibility to ensure that a laboratory does not become a source of infection for animals Responsibility to ensure that contamination of samples does not result in incorrect diagnosis

6 Biosafety Protection of humans in the laboratory from the following hazards: Physical Chemical Biological NB: Awareness is the most valuable protection against all hazards!

7 Physical hazards 1 Traumatic injury: risk is mitigated by Good maintenance of infrastructure and equipment Proper disposal of sharp objects (needles, blades, broken glass) Appropriate clothing and footwear Well arranged, tidy working areas Correct operation of equipment

8 Physical hazards 2 Electrical injury: risk is mitigated by Correct installation and operation of electrical equipment Creating awareness of possible hazards

9 Physical hazards 3 Fire, burn injuries: risk is mitigated by Care when working with flammable substances Correct storage of flammable substances Correct disposal of flammable substances Appropriate care and protection, including fireproof gloves when exposed to very hot or cold substances

10 Physical hazards 3 (cont.) Fire fighting equipment accessible and in good working order Fire escapes unobstructed and clearly indicated on displayed evacuation plans Strict observance of No Smoking rule

11 Chemical hazards Chemical hazard risk is mitigated by Careful handling of all chemicals, particularly dangerous chemicals, including wearing appropriate protective clothing and footwear Correct storage of all chemicals according to label directions Making MSDS sheets available to all staff Maintenance of a register of all chemicals Correct disposal of time expired and other chemicals that are no longer required

12 Biological hazards Classification of infectious agents in terms of risk to human health: Group 1: Unlikely to cause human disease Group 2: May cause human disease, unlikely to spread, prophylaxis/treatment available Group 3: Can cause severe human disease, may spread, prophylaxis/treatment available Group 4: Cause severe human disease, high risk of spread, usually no prophylaxis or treatment available

13 Biological hazards 2 Classification of disease producing agents in terms of risk to animal health: Group 1: Enzootic and not subject to official control Group 2: Epizootic or enzootic, subject to official control, low risk of spread from laboratory Group 3: As above but moderate risk of spread from laboratory Group 4: As above but high risk of spread from laboratory

14 WARNING ANY sample received by the laboratory is potentially a Group 4 human or animal pathogen until proven otherwise, and must therefore be handled with basic precautions to ensure protection of human and animal health

15 Containment: Biohazard cabinets Class I cabinet: Open fronted, protects operator but not samples being handled Class II cabinet: Open fronted safety cabinet/laminar flow cabinet, protects operator and samples Class III cabinet: Closed, with glove ports, provides complete separation between worker and samples

16 Containment: Basic Requirements Frequent cleaning and disinfection of work area Restricted access to laboratory Appropriate protective clothing Controlled ventilation in laboratories and cabinets No food or drink in laboratories No smoking or application of cosmetics in laboratory

17 Basic requirements 2 No pipetting by mouth Minimise aerosol production Emergency plans to deal with biohazard spills Correct decontamination and disposal of used material Recording and reporting of incidents and accidents Corrective action and change of SOPs if necessary

18 Handling of specimens Packaging requirements advised prior to submission Incoming packages opened by trained staff Movement of pathogens to another approved laboratory requires a license SOPs covering all areas available Register of samples received and location of stored samples

19 General principles of packaging Preventing leakage and breakage are paramount. Recommended: Specimen in securely stoppered specimen jar Surround with corrugated/cushioning protection Place into larger container with secure lid Surround with corrugated/cushioning protection Add the identification/information form or paper Place into larger container that can be firmly sealed Ensure that the outer packaging is clearly labelled with the destination including the sender and recipient s contact details

20 Routes of escape of pathogens from laboratory Contaminated clothing or footwear worn outside laboratory/taken home Incorrect disposal of samples/waste not inactivated, municipal garbage, public drainage system etc. Water/drainage system Aerosol/ventilation system Deliberate removal

21 Laboratory Biosecurity Protecting valuable biological material from loss, damage or destruction Protecting humans, animals and the environment from bioterrorism

22 Protecting valuable biological material Secure facilities Strictly controlled access limited to duly authorised persons Temperature and humidity controlled Negative pressure Ventilation controlled via double HEPA filters Weather proof and as far as possible impervious to natural disasters Accountability staff screened, trained, committed and accountable

23 Most important components of biosafety and biosecurity Adequate, appropriate well maintained facilities and equipment Committed and dedicated personnel with a culture of care and accountability Training of personnel in all aspects of Good Laboratory Practice and biosafety/biosecurity Standard Operating Procedures in place and implemented by all Monitoring, evaluation and corrective action when necessary