Chapter 11: Laboratory Personnel Training and Occupational Health and Safety
Training is a critical component of any biological safety program. Training is intended to provide understanding, technical knowledge, and tools that the trainee can use to improve his/her daily laboratory safety practices.
At a minimum, all UM personnel working with biological materials must have training in the following areas prior to the start of their experiments:
- Knowledge of this biosafety manual
- Experimental procedures to be used
- Decontamination and spill clean-up procedures
- Safe handling methods for any infectious agents and/or recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules (e.g., rDNA)
- Proper methods for transporting infectious agents and other biohazardous materials
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (if they work with human blood or blood products, unfixed tissue, body fluids, organ, or primary tissue and/or samples contaminated with bloodborne pathogens)
- Personal Protective Equipment and Respiratory Protection (if applicable).
- Other specialized biosafety training as deemed appropriate by the IBC or the BSO.
The PI is responsible for ensuring that his/her employees receive proper training in the biohazards and controls specific to his/her laboratory and the safe conduct of the experimental procedures to be used. The Biosafety Program provides different types of training associated with the various laboratory programs at UM.
Mandated Training
Training is required by law and UM IBC Policy. Specific training requirements are on the UM Biosafety Training website. Training is offered in person (see schedule on this page) or online via CITI (see instructions on this page).
Training is required for all laboratory workers (faculty, staff, students, and visiting scientists) at UM. The exact training required for a specific individual will depend on the hazards to which the worker is exposed.
Training laboratory personnel in the unique hazards, equipment, and procedures for a given laboratory is the responsibility of the PI or laboratory manager to administer, document, and track. This training is mandated and must be provided to all laboratory personnel on a periodic basis. Documentation is also required and must include at least the date and duration of training, name and position of the trainer, topics covered, and names of the trainees.
Bloodborne Pathogen Training
In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), all personnel with potential occupational exposure to human blood, blood components, or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must complete Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training prior to initial assignment and annually thereafter. Training can be done in person or online via CITI (see instructions on this page). Personnel are free and able to ask questions of the BSO and OHS Team at any time.
This training includes, but is not limited to:
- An overview of the OSHA BBP Standard.
- Identification of tasks and procedures that may result in exposure.
- Explanation of the Exposure Control Plan and methods for exposure prevention (e.g., use of personal protective equipment, engineering and work practice controls).
- Information on the Hepatitis B vaccination, also found on UM OHS Vaccine information website.
- Procedures to follow in the event of an exposure incident.
PIs and/or supervisors are responsible for ensuring all applicable personnel complete the required training and maintain up-to-date documentation. Records of completed BBP training must be retained by the PI/supervisor and made available for review upon request.
Packaging and Shipping of Infectious Agents and Hazardous Material (including Dry Ice) Training
Personnel who package and ship infectious agents and diagnostic specimens such as microorganisms, blood samples, and clinical samples for pathological testing, are required by federal and international regulations to receive training every two years. This training is offered on demand through CITI, or periodically through coordination with the BSO. If making dry ice for shipping please ensure through EHS is completed.
Laboratory-Specific Training
Individual laboratories are required to develop training tailored for specific agents and/or procedures that personnel will perform in that laboratory. This training should be specific to the hazards in the laboratory and to each person’s laboratory duties. All laboratory personnel must understand the hazards associated with the agent(s) and laboratory operations, how to prevent exposures to biological and chemical agents (see Chemical Hygiene Plans),be trained in the laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) and applicable emergency response protocols. Laboratory-specific training supplements general biosafety training.
Training Records
Each laboratory must maintain training records, which should include the names of lab personnel, and their completion dates for safety training as well as lab- and/or agent-specific training provided by the PI or lab supervisor. All records must be updated and maintained by the PI or supervisor. Ongoing training is required as new hazards and procedures are introduced into the laboratory. The occurrence of spills, spread of contamination, near misses, etc., may also indicate the need for refresher training.
Other Safety Training
Personnel who utilize hazardous chemicals, radioisotopes, or x-ray-generating devices must attend additional safety training as required by these specific programs, including EHS training requirements.
Occupational Health and Safety Program
The UM Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHS) provides vital resources, training, and guidelines to promote the health and safety of researchers working with animals and biohazards in laboratory and field settings. The program offers medical assessments, monitoring, interventions, and evaluations for employees exposed to occupational risks.
The OHS program applies to all UM employees (e.g., principal investigators, instructors, faculty, staff) and students (graduate and undergraduate), as well as affiliates and visitors involved in the care and/or use of vertebrate animals. This includes individuals listed on an IACUC-approved protocol and/or those with direct contact with live animals, carcasses, unfixed tissues, blood, body fluids, waste, or animal housing facilities used for research, teaching, or testing activities. It also applies to individuals listed on an IBC-approved protocol utilizing infectious agents, recombinant DNA, or human blood, body fluids, tissues, cells or waste.
Occupational health and safety oversight is required for individuals who:
- Work with infectious agents (ABSL-2, BSL-2) or potentially infectious samples acquired in the field.
- Are exposed to human blood/fluid/tissues
- Are listed on an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) protocol
Risk assessment and annual medical review
Risk Assessment Form
The Risk Assessment Form will help evaluate the possible health risks due to animal exposures and occupational hazards. A Risk Assessment Form is required before work on a project can begin and triennially thereafter.
Annual Medical Review
The Annual Medical Review helps identify additional risks of an individual basis. For example, participants who are immunocompromised or are pregnant may have additional exposure risks. The questionnaire is confidentially reviewed by the Occupational Health Nurse. Annual Medical reviews are required if you have a change in your health status after you have completed an initial risk assessment and annually during the first two years thereafter.
Recommended vaccines for researchers
Personnel working in research laboratories and/or ABSL-2 facilities with certain biological agents or
performing research on wild caught animals are at increased risk of exposure to those agents due to the nature of their work In order to minimize the risk of infection, vaccination against the agent in use is recommended.
Risk assessment and vaccine recommendations are done based on the agent, strain, transmission routes, procedural hazards and health risks to the individual and the community. The Biosafety Office and/or Institutional Biosafety Committee will conduct the risk assessment during the Biohazard review process and recommend vaccines as appropriate. Vaccinations are voluntary but if a vaccine recommendation is made, individuals are required to complete the Acceptance/Declination/Request for Additional Information Form.