Biosafety

At GWU much research is conducted with microorganisms or the nucleic acids of these organisms. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published “Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules” and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)”. These documents and other resources provide the basis for GWU’s biosafety requirements. To comply with these guidelines, OLS has developed the following elements. Click on each link to find out more:

• Manual - All lab workers that are working with living organisms, cells or fluids must be familiar with and comply with this manual.  Non-lab workers should refer to the Bloodborne Pathogen section below.
  • Biosafety & Exposure Control Manual
  • Appendix A - HIV fact sheet
  • Appendix B - HBV fact sheet
  • Appendix C - HIV/HBV worker form
  • Appendix D - Ross Hall biowaste
  • Appendix E - Bio emergency posting
  • Appendix F - Bio inspection form

• Institutional Biosafety Committee – The IBC is a committee established to review and approve the use of recombinant DNA, pathogens and Select Agents. IBC approval must be received before these agents are acquired. Click the link above for detailed information and definitions.
• Training - All those who work in a biological research laboratory, even if only BSL1, must attend biosafety training.  The training page has a list of all OLS provided training.. Also, each worker must have a Training Documentation Sheet on file showing that they have specific lab training for their tasks.
• Bloodborne pathogens – This program is for anyone except lab workers who, because of their job requirements, may come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious material.  Examples of those covered are: housekeeping and EMTs.
• Shipping biologicals - Biological shpments must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA).