Safety & Environmental Protection Service

Biological Safety

Health and safety, animal health, plant health and environmental legislation require the University to have effective controls in place to protect people and the environment against the risks created by our work. Please read this guidance on biological safety which is provided to help managers, principal investigators and workers to safely carry out your work.

A 'UofG Biosafety Management Arrangements' document that includes a Biosafety Policy statement should be read in conjunction with the guidance provided on this 'Biological Safety' section to ensure effective management and oversight of biological related work activities within your School and associated laboratory areas.

 

• Biological COSHH Risk Assessment

• GM Risk Assessment
  
  
• Pathogens and Toxins
  
  
• SAPO Guidance

• Containment Laboratories and Facilities
  
  
• Transport of Biological Hazards

 

There is also detailed guidance on biological safety, risk assessments and controls which is produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Scottish Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and other agencies. There are many important guidance documents on biological safety, risk assessment and controls for protection of people, animals, plants and the environment which are available on the HSE, Scottish Government, DEFRA and other relevant websites. The university guidance is not intended to replace this guidance but is additional to that provided by government regulators and agencies. Please read this guidance since they will help you understand how to best to safely carry out your work.

 

• HSE ACDP Approved list of biological agents
  
• HSE ACDP Management and operation of microbiological containment laboratories
  
  
• HSE ACDP DEFRA Biological agents: Principles, design and operation of containment level 4 facilities
  
  
• HSE Sealability of Microbiological Containment Level 3 and 4 Facilities

• HSE ACDP Infection risks to mothers and babies
  
  
• HSE Fumigation

• HSE Bloodborne viruses in the workplace
  
  
• HSE ACDP Working safely with research animals: Management of infection risks
  
  
• HSE Control of laboratory animal allergy
  
  
• HSE Managing infection risks when handling the deceased
  
  
• HSE SACGM Compendium of guidance
  
  
• HSE Containment and control of specified animal pathogens
  
  
• WHO Transport of infectious substances

 

If you need any advice on biological safety then please first contact your safety coordinator who is there to advise you on all aspects of health and safety. Managers and safety coordinators can obtain more detailed advice where necessary from the Safety and Environmental Protection Service and the Occupational Health Unit.