Biological Safety

• Program Policies

• Emerging Agents

• Register Biologicals

• Research

• Guidelines

• Equipment

• Biowaste

• Respirator

• Training

• Staff and Oversight

• Emergencies

Attention VU researchers: Refer to the VU Biosafety webpage. Information on this web page applies to VUMC researchers.

Biosafety Program Policies (endorsed by the VUMC Institutional Biosafety Committee)

Emerging Infectious Agents and Research: Planning for Biosafety (includes help for COVID-19 research)

Register your Biological Materials

• What Biocontainment Practices Apply to Materials Requiring Vanderbilt Biological Materials Registration (VBMR)?
• Vanderbilt Biological Materials Registration (Vanderbilt IBC Registration)
  • Submit a VBMR Amendment

Lab-Specific Biosafety Manual Templates

Highlighted regions must be completed by the PI or the lab manager.

• BSL-1 Lab-specific Biosafety Manual template
• BSL-2 Lab-specific Biosafety Manual template

Resources for Research Personnel

• Risk Assessment
  • Research Cores: Biomaterial Risk Identification & Management
  • Biological Risk Assessment Resource
  • Occupational Health Clinic Biologic Research Risk Assessment (online form)
• Researcher's Planning Tool: Profile Your Infectious Agents
• Resources for Animal Researchers
• Resources for Researchers: Recombinant DNA Molecule Use
• Shipping and Receiving Biological Materials
  • Transporting Clinical Research Samples from Offsite Locations: Materials of Trade Exceptions
  • Export Control: Restricted Biological Agents
  • Shipping and Receiving Biological Materials Guide:  Permits
  • Packaging Non-Hazardous Biological Materials for Air Shipment
• Department of Defense/US Army Grant Application Assistance

Guidelines to Biosafety

• Lab Set-Up Pointers for New Investigators Working with Biological Materials
• Using Sharps Safely in the Lab
• Basics of Biosafety Level 1
• Basics of Biosafety Level 2
• Ready-to-Use BBP Disinfectant Product Guide for Research Labs
• BSL-2 Culture Room Top 10 Safety Practices
• BSL-2 Practices for Insect Users
• Laboratory Security
• Biological Select Agents and Toxins: What All Researchers Should Know
• Relocating Biological Materials
• Transporting Biological Research Materials on Campus

Lab Equipment

• Biological Safety Cabinets
  • OSHA Fact Sheet: Laboratory Safety Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)
  • Maintain, Move & Transfer a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)
• Autoclave Safety
• Centrifuge Safety OSHA Quick Facts
• Compressed Liquid Gases (Cryogen) Lab Safety
• Preparing Biological Lab Equipment for Service or Disposal
• Lab Coats

Biological Waste

• Biohazardous Waste: Segregation, Collection & Disposal Guide
• Disposal Procedures for Insects Used in Research
• Disposal Procedures for Fish Used in Research
• VUMC Lab Guide: Red Bag Biowaste Collection SaniPak FAQ
• VU Lab Waste
  • VU Lab Guide: Using Stericycle for Biowaste Removal, Treatment & Disposal
    • Stericycle Waste Pickup Point Sign Template
    • Stericycle Container Safety Checklist
  • VU Lab Guide: Using BioWaste, LLC for Biowaste Removal, Treatment & Disposal
    • Biowaste, LLC Container Safety Checklist
  • VU Lab Regulated Medical Waste Packaging Reminders
• Broken Glass Waste - Only for uncontaminated glass.

Respiratory Protection

• Particulate Respirator Fit-Testing for Animal Research Personnel with an Animal Allergy

Biosafety Training Topics & Options

Emergencies

• Hazardous Material Spill Exposure Response - Post this sign in your lab
• Responding to Personnel Exposures and Spills Involving Biological Materials

Staff and Oversight

• Biosafety Staff
• Institutional Biosafety Committee

See Also

• Biological Safety Links