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Training and PPE

Training and Information

Training and assistance for researchers is available in the form of:

  1. Consultation assistance from the Biosafety Officer, IBC members, EHS Staff, Laboratory Animal Resources Staff, and the Occupational Health Clinic. Contact them directly.
  2. Computerized and written information from this manual, EHS web site, governmental agencies, and many other sources.
  3. Training programs are available from EHS. Ask EHS about additional training, if your desired training is not already listed on the EHS website. As needed, the Biosafety Officer is available for assistance when designing and presenting training programs for individual needs or audiences.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  1. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to be worn during all work with biohazardous agents.
  2. Typical PPE for BSL 1 work minimally requires gloves and may also require lab coats and safety glasses or safety goggles. BSL 2 work requires gloves, lab coats and safety glasses or safety goggles. In rare cases, respiratory protection may be required or desired. All use of respiratory protection, must follow the university’s Respiratory Protection Program.
  3. The investigator is responsible for determining the specific PPE requirements in their laboratory, informing laboratory workers and enforcing the use of that PPE. PPE requirements must be documented; this may be done using the university’s PPE Checklist or on the laboratory specific information sheet.
  4. Gloves
    1. Gloves should be worn when working with an etiologic agent that may cause infection by entry through skin abrasions. Gloves must be worn when one anticipates hand contact with blood, potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin.
    2. Generally latex or nitrile ‘exam’ style gloves are used for laboratory work. Heavy duty utility gloves may be used for housekeeping duties.
    3. Disposable gloves should be replaced as soon as possible if contaminated, torn, punctured or damaged in any way. The contaminated gloves must be placed into the infectious or biological waste stream. Reusable gloves are not recommended for work with biohazardous agents; if used, they must be decontaminated after each use.
  5. Signs indicating "Eye Protection Required" should be prominently displayed in all areas where a hazardous eye exposure may exist. Safety glasses provide protection from impacts, while safety goggles provide protection from impacts and from splashes.