Institutional Biosafety Committee

Home / Guidelines, Policies, Regulations and Resources / Brandeis University Biological Safety Plan

Brandeis University Biological Safety Plan

1.0 Scope

This Plan outlines the authority of the Brandeis Institutional Biosafety Committee with respect to the acquisition, authorization and use of biological agents. Authorization is given to the IBC to oversee and implement the NIH Guidelines as they relate to research at Brandeis.

2.0 Definitions

Expand All

Biohazardous Materials

Biohazards are infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals, or the environment.

For purposes of this plan it shall include:

Infectious organisms and agents that can cause disease in humans, animals,
plants, or cause significant environmental or agricultural impact
Infectious Prions
Viral Vectors
Engineered cell-entry domains (i.e. TAT fusion proteins)
Nanomaterials used with biological systems, agents or materials
Nanomaterials used with biological systems or agents
Human and non-human primate tissues, fluids, cells or cell cultures
Animals, tissues, fluids, cells or cell cultures of animals that have been exposed
to infectious organisms or are known to be reservoirs of zoonotic diseases
Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acids in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials or
with the chance of being released into the environment
Transgenic plants or animals
Human gene transfer clinical trials
Biological toxins
Select Agents

NIH Coverage

3.0 Institutional Biosafety Committee

Brandeis University shall establish and operate an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) that shall conform to the NIH Guidelines, Section VI Roles and Responsibilities.

The IBC has the authority to approve, require modifications to secure approval of, or disapprove, biologically hazardous activities conducted under the auspices of Brandeis University.

The IBC has the authority to suspend or terminate research with biohazardous materials for instances of serious or continuing noncompliance, and for actions which pose a serious threat to the health and safety of laboratory personnel, the public, and the environment.

Membership shall include: at least 5 members, two of which shall not be affiliated with the University.

The Office of Research Administration shall administer and manage the operations of the IBC. Information regarding Applications, Forms, Members, Guidelines, Polices and Regulations can be found on the IBC website.

The Manager of Environmental Health & Safety shall be designated as the Biological Safety Officer (BSO).

4.0 Biological Safety Practices

Brandeis University labs that perform authorized work under this program shall design and operate laboratory facilities in accordance with containment levels and practices as outlined in the NIH Guidelines, Appendix G, I, P and Q as they apply as well as the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (CDC/NIH) current edition.

5.0 Bloodborne Pathogens

Laboratories performing work that is subject to OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen 29 CFR 1910.1030, shall incorporate and modify the Brandeis Bloodborne Pathogen Program template to suit the needs of the laboratory. The template is available from the EH&S Department.

6.0 Emergency Procedures

Chemical spills
- Small spills may be cleaned up by the lab if the quantity, hazards are known and the lab is suitably equipped.
- Large spills or highly toxic, flammable or otherwise hazardous materials are involved, the lab shall evacuate the lab and contact Campus Police at 6-3333.
Infectious Agent Spills (includes blood & other bodily fluids subject to §5.0)
- Labs must develop spill response and decontamination procedures for their particular agent(s).
- Release of an infectious agent should be reported within 2 hours of the release to a member of the IBC.

7.0 Waste Disposal

Sharps
- Labs shall ensure that sharps (syringes, razor blades etc.), are suitably contained in puncture resistant containers.
- Labs shall utilize standard “sharps” containers for biologically/medical sharps.
- Containers for sharps which have chemical contamination shall be labeled as hazardous waste.
Controlled Substances
- Shall be handled in accordance with the University Controlled Substance Disposal Plan. Contact EH&S for disposal.
Biological/Medical Waste (Contaminated debris, animals etc.)
- Shall be packaged as Regulated Medical Waste, “red bag” waste, and placed in an appropriate Regulated Medical Waste box.
- Animals that have been exposed to/injected with an infectious agent (ex: AAV) shall be packaged in a plastic bag and placed in the infectious animal trash bin in the freezer of the Foster Animal Care facility.

8.0 Training

Labs are responsible for ensuring that all personnel are trained in the appropriate parts of this Plan for which they are affected or they can affect the use of material subject to this Plan.

9.0 Biosecurity

The PI is responsible for assessing the security risk of their biological material, controlled substance and other sensitive material subject to this Plan. Adequate security measures shall be implemented and may include authorization and use restrictions, secure storage (locked labs, drawers), inventory control and tracking.