Biosafety Manual PDF - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Biosafety Manual
IBC-approved version (May 18, 2010)
Additional instruction or demonstration of proficiency may be needed for work that involves
higher hazards. For example, workers must demonstrate their proficiency in standard
microbiological practices and special practices before working with RG2 agents (for more
information, see Section 4.1 of this manual).
Labels and signs must also be used to advise workers of hazards and controls (see Section 5.5
of this manual).
5.3 Occupational Health and Immunization
LBNL occupational health and immunization policies, programs, and services are provided by
the Health Services Group of the EH&S Division under the direction of the Site Occupational
Medical Director. These policies, programs, and services are described in the Health Services
Web site, policies (e.g., immunization and serum banking), and Chapter 3 of PUB-3000. The
occupational health program related to biosafety is designed to proactively identify and prepare
workers who may be exposed to certain biological materials or agents, and provide procedures
for the treatment and management of workers who have been injured or may have been
exposed. Employees who are aware of personal illnesses that may affect their ability to combat
infection or receive medications or vaccines should visit Health Services for an evaluation of
how this may affect their individual risk for work with biological agents.
Potential exposures to biological agents or materials that generate health concerns or may
cause disease are assessed as part of the work review and authorization process discussed
above in Sections 3.0 and 5.1. This assessment includes an evaluation and determination of the
need for employee medical evaluations, immunizations, serum banking, or other occupational
health controls. For research projects, this assessment is conducted by IBC members including
the Biosafety Officer and the SOMD. The IBC review includes SOMD recommendations and is
the basis of required or recommended occupational health controls for potentially exposed
employees. These controls are then documented in the Biosafety Work Authorization.
Employee consultation with LBNL Health Services. Source: LBNL EH&S.
Requirements or recommendations for occupational health controls (e.g., vaccinations) for
specific agents or materials are discussed in BMBL, Section VIII (Agent Summary Statements).
Requirements for BBP materials are provided by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
OSHA requirements and LBNL programmatic policies and systems for implementing these
requirements are summarized below:
• Hepatitis B Vaccination: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires that the
hepatitis B vaccination series must be made available and offered to all LBNL
employees who have occupational exposure to BBPs or materials that are regulated
based on their potential to contain BBPs (e.g., human blood, tissues, and cells). This
Printed copies are not official versions of this manual. Before using the printed copy, verify that it is the most current version.
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