Laboratory biosafety
If you work with biological material or in areas where work with biological material is being undertaken, you need to be aware of and abide by the relevant legislation, standards, procedures and guidelines that apply to you and the work you're performing. Read the Biosafety Policy for more information.
Read the Biosafety Policy for UQ policies, procedures and guidelines.
If you want to stay up to date with requirements to work in biological facilities or with biological material, email biosafety@uq.edu.au to sign up to the biosafety contact list.
Biosecurity approved arrangement facilities
If you are appointed as the manager or nominated contact for a biosecurity approved arrangement facility, email the Biological Safety Advisors at biosafety@uq.edu.au to make sure your contact details are recorded.
Physical containment facilities
Certified physical containment (PC) facilities must follow Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) guidelines:
AS/NZS 2243.3 risk groups for microorganisms
Requirements, responsibilities and guidelines for the safe handling and containment of microorganisms are set out in AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories, part 3: Microbiological safety and containment. Access this standard by searching the SAI Global database (UQ login required).
Use the AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 risk group tables to determine what category your biological research falls into. Make sure you read any relevant footnotes. Access the standard by searching the SAI Global database (UQ login required).
You can also search the Risk Group database maintained by the American Biological Safety Association.
If you’re unsure of the microorganism category, or would like an assessment for a standard Risk Group 2 microorganism, contact the Biosafety Advisors.
Hazardous biological material and potentially infectious microorganisms
If you are working with potentially infectious microorganisms, you should:
- keep a register of these microorganisms
- conduct risk assessments of your procedures involving these microorganisms
- obtain safety data sheets where available.
Use the:
- pathogen safety data sheets and risk assessments from the Public Health Agency of Canada
- Risk Group database from the American Biological Safety Association.
Animal diseases and zoonoses
To find information about animal diseases and zoonoses, see:
- transmissible disease fact sheets from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- technical disease cards from the World Organisation for Animal Health
- animal disease information from the Center for Food Security and Public Health.
Disinfectants
To check which disinfectant is right for a microorganism, read:
- the pathogen safety data sheet for the organism
- AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Tables F1 and F2: recommended applications and effectiveness of chemical disinfectants. Access the standard by searching the SAI Global database (UQ login required).
Training
You must complete training before you start laboratory work, including specific training for work:
- with biological or quarantine materials
- in a certified PC1, PC2 or PC3 laboratory.
Check the training and induction requirements for laboratory workers.
Compliance documents: grey folder templates
Physical containment (PC) laboratories must use a binder known as a ‘grey folder’ to hold documents demonstrating compliance with Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) requirements.
| Contents to include | Description and instructions |
|---|---|
| Contents page (DOC, 26KB) | Cut out and stick to the inside of the grey folder binder. |
| Instrument of certification | This is the facility certification. You should also include any variations issued by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). Each facility will have their own certification. If you can’t find yours, contact the Biosafety Advisors. |
| Floor plan | Include a floor plan of the certified facility with the boundary of the facility clearly showing. We use the Property and Facilities site and floor plans when dealing with the regulator. |
| Annual inspection report | Include copies of inspection reports from the last 3 years. This is the inspection of the facility that is conducted each year by the Biosafety Advisors or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) inspectors. Each facility will have their own inspection reports. If you can’t find yours, contact the Biosafety Advisors. |
| Authorisation for use of certified facilities GMOs (DOC, 48KB) | Explains requirements and responsibilities for supervisors and individual staff working in certified facilities or with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Staff should sign the register to acknowledge that they will follow these requirements. |
| GM dealings (DOC, 37KB) | Genetically modified (GM) dealings being used in the facility and associated storage location. Any unlabelled viable material must be treated as GM, as per Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) guidelines. |
| Accounting for GM transport records (DOC, 79KB) | Maintain records of transport of GM materials from notifiable low risk dealings (NLRDs) or dealings not for international release (DNIRs) of PC2 or PC3 category. This template may also be used to record transport of hazardous biological material or potentially infectious microorganisms. |
| AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Tables F1 and F2: recommended applications and effectiveness of chemical disinfectants | Information directly from AS/NZS 2243.3:2010, the standard on appropriate disinfectants and their usage. Access the standard by searching the SAI Global database (UQ login required). |
| Biohazard simple spill procedure (DOC, 40KB) | A basic spill procedure adapted from AS/NZS 2243.3:2010. Amend this procedure according to your research organisms. A spill procedure must be posted in your facility. |
| Equipment maintenance records (DOC, 44KB) | Minimum requirements for equipment maintenance. |
| UQ pest control strategy | Information and contact details on pest control strategies throughout UQ. Print a copy of the webpage. If you are located in a non-UQ facility, place a copy of that organisation's pest control strategy here instead. |
| UQ Acewaste letter (PDF, 2.6MB) | Acewaste is the clinical waste contractor who collects all UQ clinical waste for incineration. This letter verifies the contract. If you are located in a non-UQ facility, place a copy of that organisation's waste contract here. |
| Non-GM biosafety (DOC, 36KB) | Record infectious microorganisms that are not genetically modified. Maintain records as per AS/NZS 2243.3:2010. |
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