Biosafety
Biological Safety (Biosafety) promotes safe microbiological practices, procedures, and proper use of containment equipment and facilities. At William & Mary, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) purposely reviews all research proposals involving infectious agents, Recombinant DNA, pathogens, human tissue, fluids or cells and field work on animals to assure all research is conducted in a safe and appropriate manner. Moreover, these proposals are expected to comply with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving recombinant DNA Molecules, the CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, and OSHA Standards of Bloodborne Pathogens.
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (doc)
Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook (pdf)
Regulated Medical Waste Management (doc)
Biology and Chemistry Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Matrix (doc)
Laminar Flow Hoods
The need to protect personnel, samples and the environment from exposure to biological hazards and cross contamination is achieved by using primary containment devices such as laminar flow hoods in laboratories. Laminar flow hoods are divided into two categories: biological safety cabinets and laminar flow clean benches. All laminar flow hoods use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to sterilize and remove particulates from the air. However, these containments differ in the level of protection provided to the user, the environment and the sample. Click here for further information on Laminar Flow Hoods.
Hazardous Materials Shipment:
The University of New Hampshire provides an excellent document, Guidelines for the Shipment of Excepted Quantities of Flammable Liquids According to IATA/ICAO Regulation (pdf), that explains how to package and ship excepted quantities of flammable liquids. This includes samples that are preserved in small quantities of flammable liquids such as ethanol.
The University of New Hampshire also provides guidelines for shipment of other hazardous materials to include biological materials. These guidelines can be accessed at The University of New Hampshire's web page.
