Laboratory Certification
Work with certain types of rDNA, infectious organisms that are RG2 (Risk Group 2), or human derived material such as blood, tissues, other body fluids usually require BSL-2 containment.
What makes a laboratory BSL-2 is a combination of the agent is use, the standard and special work practices, the type of safety equipment and the facility design.
The BMBL describes the various Biosafety levels in Section IV.
If the IBC determines that your project should be performed under BSL-2 conditions, contact the BSO to schedule an inspection. Use the inspection checklist to help prepare your lab.
http://www.orc.msstate.edu/quicklinks/forms.php
Animal BSL-2 facilities also require an inspection using a form modified to meet some of the unique requirements for working with animals. Use the ABSL-2 inspection checklist to assist in lab preparation. See the link above.
BSL-2 or ABSL-2 certification is project dependent. Each lab is inspected yearly as long as the project is active. When the project is complete, the lab should be decertified until put into use again as a BSL-2 under another project. This will require another inspection by the BSO. The reason for this is that each project may use different personnel, different procedures, have a different risk assessment that requires practices or equipment not required in previous studies. Various kinds of documentation such as training records and SOPs may also differ from project to project.
There are several documents that are required for a lab to be certified as BSL-2. Templates for all three can be found on the “Forms” page.
The first one is a lab specific biosafety manual. The CDC’s Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition, states that each laboratory should develop a biosafety manual that identifies hazards that will/may be encountered. This manual should be readily available to assist investigators, technicians, and collaborators in routine and/or emergency operations using rDNA or biohazardous materials. The lab biosafety manual should also be available to safety and emergency response personnel in case of an incident, accident, or an emergency in a specific lab area.
The second required document is an emergency response plan that should be placed in to the biosafety manual.
The third document is a template for an SOP for any hazardous procedure to be used in the lab. This can include equipment use, decontamination, disposal, technical procedures, emergency procedures, handling procedures, etc. The SOP addresses the hazards associated with the procedure and administrative/engineering/work practice controls which can mitigate the risks associated with the procedure.
If a PI is changing labs, leaving the University, or getting out of research please follow the Lab Exit Checklist, also found under the “Forms” page.
Call 5-0620 for assistance or to schedule an inspection.