Biosafety/Biosecurity Guidelines
These recommendations were compiled by the USG Biosafety / Biosecurity Subcommittee. The recommendations for institutions within the USG are as follows:
- Adopt by reference BMBL Guidelines as a minimum for BSL-1 and BSL-2 labs; the same should apply for BSL-3 labs but allow flexibility for unique facilities.
- Develop and implement a Biosafety and Biosecurity Manual relative to each campus’ level of biohazardous activities (see examples).
- Create an Institutional Biosafety Committee (composition left to institution) to provide oversight at campus level and act as liaison to USG SBB; IBC should conduct periodic reviews of biohazardous activities.
- Campuses conducting any level of recombinant DNA (rDNA) activity should establish an IBC above and beyond the minimum recommendation and in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving rDNA. NIH Notice, NOT-OD-02-052, released May 28, 2002 stated, “…even privately funded projects employing rDNA must adhere to the NIH Guidelines if they are being carried out at, or funded by, an organization that has any NIH contracts, grants, or other support for this kind of research.”
Additional References and Resources:
- Examples of Biosafety Manuals
- Example of Biological Use Survey
- CDC/NIH Primary Containment of Biohazrds: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets
- CDC Presentation: Biosafety in the Laboratory (PDF - 2.75MB)