Biological Hazards and Safety
Page Contents (Page 1 of 2)
Includes: Working with biological hazards | Classification of Microorganisms
by Risk Group
Page 2 ~ Biological safety cabinets - Include: General information | Laminar
Flow Hoods (Crossflow Cabinet) | Downflow Cabinet (Class I Biosafety Cabinet) | Downflow Cabinet (Class II Biosafety Cabinet> | Downflow Cabinet
(Class III Biosafety Cabinet)
Also see:
- Treatment of Biological Spills
- Treatment of Blood Spills
- Importing Biological Materials (AQIS information)
- Choosing a Disinfectant
- Biohazard Symbols
- Information on Infectious Agents
Working With Biological Hazards
You are not permitted to carry out any experiments with biological materials without first assessing the risks involved and obtaining all necessary information, permits, and clearances before commencing.
- Detailed information about a wide range of infectious agents is available.
- If working with human samples (e.g. blood, faeces etc) refer to the Faculty Guidelines for risks and exposure when handling human products
- Clearance and advice from the Departmental Safety Committee should be obtained before commencing work with a new biological hazard.
- Import permits are required from AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) to import biological materials from outside Australia. See Departmental Safety Officer if you are unsure of what to do.
- Information on the containment levels required for handling different biological hazards is available in Australian Standard AS/NZS 2243.3 1995 Safety in Laboratories - Microbiology (available from Departmental Manager or from MDU).
- Special regulations apply for working with HIV/AIDS.
- Special regulations (Gene Technology Regulations) exist for the production and use of genetically-modified organisms in the laboratory. Information is available from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
- Special containment procedures may be applicable. For more details, contact the Melbourne Research and Innovation Office OGTR Information Officer, Paul Taylor.
- Ethics approval is required for and special NH&MRC regulations apply to animal experimentation.
- Special waste disposal procedures may need to be implemented. See Alida Scholtes to set up any new waste disposal systems.
Classification of Microorganisms by Risk Group
Refer to Australian Standard AS/NZS 2243.3 1995 Safety in Laboratories - Microbiology (available from Departmental Manager or from MDU) for detailed lists of organisms in each risk group:
Risk Group 1
- Low individual and community risk
- Can be handled in PC1 laboratory
- Work on open bench permitted
Risk Group 2
- Moderate individual risk and limited community risk
- Effective treatment available
- Risk of spread limited
- Must have PC2 facilities or better
- Work on open bench permitted only if aerosols are NOT produced
Risk Group 3
- High individual risk but limited community risk
- May cause serious disease
- May spread in community
- Treatment available
- Must have PC3 facilities
- No work on open benches
- Negative pressure in laboratories
- Special work practices
- Restricted access by trained personnel only
Risk Group 4 (NOT USED AT UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE)
- High individual and community risk
- Serious hazard
- Contagious
- MAY NOT BE USED IN OUR DEPARTMENT