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Biosafety

Within the University there is a great deal of work carried out that involves biological materials of all types. Such work is extremely valuable and is encountered within many areas of research as well as in medical and veterinary treatment. Some such work, if not properly managed, may have the potential to expose staff, students and the general public to risk to their health and safety. All staff who engage in work of this nature must ensure that their work is correctly managed and meets both legislative requirements and recognised good practice. A summary of the legislative framework governing biological work and of the key safety considerations is provided within the document below.

Biosafety - an introductory summary

Biological waste disposal

The safe management and disposal of waste produced from this type of work activity is also strictly controlled by legislation. Further information on this is available in the Waste section of SEPS web site.

Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001

Some biological agents and toxins can present a very serious security threat if they fall into the wrong hands. Following anthrax attacks in the USA in 2001, the British Government enacted the Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 to enhance the security of work involving certain specified agents. The enforcing authority for this legislation is the National Counter Terrorism and Security Office (NaCTSO) and a list of the agents to which this legislation applies can be found via the NaCTSO website.

Note that it is not always necessary for the full viable organism to be held for these requirements to become relevant. Component parts can be sufficient to trigger the legislation. For example, nucleic acid sequences that code for a listed toxin may be in scope under certain circumstances. The published document Implementation guidelines for Labs sets out a very useful summary of what is required and of what is within scope of the legisaltion.

In view of the nature of such material, the University requires that Colleges who intend to work with such materials maintain a robust system to ensure that such material is held and handled securely. In particular, Schedule 5 materials may not be acquired or created without formal written authority from Head of College level. Before granting such authority the Head of College must consult with the University Biological Safety Adviser and Head of Central Services for professional advice on the suitablity of the infrastructure, containment and security measures for the proposed work. It is expected that Principal Researchers proposing to carry out such work will prepare a robust safety plan and risk assessment indicating how such materials will be stored and handled and will obtain approval for the work at Head of School/Director of Institute level before requesting final authorisation from the Head of College. On granting permission for the acquisition of Schedule 5 material, the Head of College must notify the Head of Safety and Environmental Protection Services and the University Biological Safety Adviser that such permission has been granted in order that appropriate notification and inspection regimes can be put in place.

All Principal Researchers who work with biological are responsible for ensuring that no Schedule 5 material subject to these control is acquired or used within their research group unless appropriate permissions have first been obtained as indicated above. PIs are also responsible for ensuring that material legitimately held under such a permissioning regime is stored and handled fully in accordance with NaCTSO and all legislatively required standards.