Chemical and

Biological Hazards
Department of Cell Physiology
And
Pharmacology

Tim Walton
Departmental Safety Officer
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 Introduction
 Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health regulations 2002
 Risk Assessments
 Safety Data Sheets
 Control measures
 Fume Cupboards & Safety Cabinets

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 CHEMICAL HAZARDS
 COSHH: Risk assessments mandatory
 “Substances Hazardous to Health” are
VERY TOXIC, TOXIC, HARMFUL,
CORROSIVE, IRRITATING, SENSITISING,
CARCINOGENIC, MUTAGENIC,
TERATOGENIC, (toxic for reproduction),
EXPLOSIVE, FLAMMABLE.

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 Exposure Routes
 Ingestion (contaminated fingers)
 Injection (use of sharps)
 Inhalation (gases, powders, aerosols)
 Skin contact (e.g. corrosives, irritants etc.)
 Absorption through the skin (acrylamide
phenol)

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 Risk Assessments
 COSHH form is only part of a risk
assessment
 The information gathered should be USED!
 Know your control measures - and use
them
 Always write your lab protocol with regard
to the risk assessment

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 Hierarchy of Controls
 Elimination or if not possible, substitution
 Enclosure of process & handling
 Partial enclosure with local exhaust ventilation
(LEV)
 LEV / Adequate general ventilation
 Systems of work to reduce generation of hazard
 Reducing periods of work, cleaning etc.
 Use of personal protective equipment – last
resort
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 Hazardous Biological Agents

Covered by COSHH – principals of risk
assessment and identification of control
measures are the same
 Authorisation needed to handle
biohazards – form from Safety Services
 Hazard groups: 1-4
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  Human and animal blood, other human tissues
and cell cultures are classified as Hazard Group 2
 Hazard Group 3 – special facilities & training
needed – at Leicester this is restricted to two
locations
 Containment – the minimum level for laboratory
safety
 Be aware of the risks from adventitious agents in
cell cultures e.g. viruses
 Always write experimental protocols with
regard to identified risks
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 1. Manipulations should be carried out in uncluttered
areas
2. Suitable disinfectants should be available
3. Minor cuts and abrasions should be covered by
waterproof plasters
4. Hands should be washed frequently and
thoroughly, and when you leave the laboratory
5. Sharp implements such as needles, scalpels and
scissors should be handled with care, [the use of
these should be minimised as far as possible]
6. Cultures should be handled so as to minimise the
generation of aerosols
7. A safety cabinet MUST be used if there is a risk
of aerosol generation
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 Safe working in the lab
 Remember your responsibility is for the safety of
yourself and others
 Use PPE provided – lab coats, eye protection etc.
 Report accidents and near misses
 Lone working – no high-risk work; tell someone
you are working alone
 Incorporate findings of risk assessments into lab
protocols
 Label and store everything properly
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 Safe working in the lab
 Keep your work space tidy and clear up after
yourself
 Safety is not an add-on but an integral part of
your work
 Take care with waste disposal
- think about other people who will have to handle the waste
(technical staff, cleaners, porters, contractors, etc.)
- think about the environment (where will the waste end up? Can this
chemical be put down the sink?)

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 Safe working in the lab
 Know the limitations of fume cupboards and
microbiological safety cabinets. They don’t work
properly when full of equipment and chemical
bottles
 A horizontal laminar flow cabinet is NOT a
containment device – it is for “product
protection”
 Ask for advice from supervisors, lab safety
supervisors, lab managers, technicians,
departmental safety officer or Safety Services
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 Genetic modification
 The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained
Use) Regulations 2000

 Risk assessments

 Genetic modification projects – approval and

notification

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 The regulations require
 Assessment of risk to human health and the
environment
 Notification of some activities to the Health
and Safety Executive
 Containment facilities (“contained use”)
 Inactivation of waste containing viable
organisms
 Training of workers
 Local rules, BSO, GM safety committee etc.
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What is covered by these Regulations
 Recombinant DNA techniques involving the
formation of new combinations of genetic
material
 Includes micro-organisms, cells in culture,
plants and animals
 Covers construction, storage, use,
transportation, destruction or disposal
 Includes non-harmful as well as harmful
organisms
 Self cloning is exempt – but containment must
be used. Any harmful organism NOT exempt
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 Definitions
 “Genetic Modification” in relation to an organism means the
altering of the genetic material in that organism by a way that does
not occur naturally by mating, natural recombination or both

 “Micro-organism” means a microbiological entity, cellular or non-

cellular, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material,
and includes a virus, a viroid and an animal or plant cell in culture

 “Organism” means a biological entity capable of reproduction or

of transferring genetic material and includes micro-organisms, but
does not include a human or a human embryo

 “Contained use” means any activity in which organisms are

genetically modified or in which GMO’s are cultured, stored,
used, transported, destroyed or disposed of and where barriers
are used to limit contact of the GMO with humans and the
environment
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 Activity Classes
 Classes 1 – 4
- Activity levels in line with pathogen
containment
 Class 1: can start work as soon as GM sub-
committee approves
 Class 2 and higher – have to be notified to
HSE
 Projects notified to HSE go on a public
register (but no personal data are available
to the public) (a fee of £400 is payable)
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