Step 1: Carry out a risk assessment in order to determine the Containment Level that must be applied in order to carry out the work safely.
Step 2: Adhere to the relevant Containment Level Procedures.
- For Definitions and Commonly Used Acronyms see below.
- For details on Containment Level 1 and 2 Procedures click here.
- For details on Containment Level 3 Procedures contact SLS Safety.
- For important, additional information specific to Genetically Modified Micro-organisms click here.
- Signs for Using In Culture Facilities
Important Definitions
Containment Level: the combination of physical and operational requirements necessary to work with a particular micro-organism or to perform a particular procedure or manipulation safely. The ACDP and SACGM define four Containment Levels (1 to 4) in their published guidance. The ACDP guidance is solely concerned with the hazards to human health. The SACGM system builds upon the ACDP system with the addition of measures specifically intended to protect the external environment.
General Laboratory: Any laboratory area out with the TC suites.
Genetic Modification: The alteration of the genetic material of an organism in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.
Micro-organism: A microbiological entity, cellular or non-cellular, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material. This includes bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and viroids, prions, cell and tissue cultures from humans, animals and plants, and full-length copies of viral genomes that are known to be infectious even when they are not encapsulated or enveloped.
Commonly Used Acronyms
ACDP: Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
SACGM: Scientific Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification
BSA: Biological Safety Adviser
BSO: Biological Safety Officer
CL: Containment Level
COP: Code of Practice
GM: Genetically Modified
GMM: Genetically Modified Micro-organism
GMP: Good Microbiological Practice
GOSH: Good Occupational Safety and Hygiene
MSC: Microbiological Safety Cabinet
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
SLS: School of Life Sciences
SOP: Safe Operating Procedure
TC: Tissue Culture
UBSA: University Biological Safety Adviser
WTM: Wild Type Microorganism