Administrative Controls for Biosafety
Administrative controls refer to the combination of actions required to implement engineering controls effectively.
What are administrative controls?
Administrative controls include:
- written documents including policies, procedures and risk assessments
- training (and training records) for procedures, use of equipment and how to react in an emergency
- a formal supervision system to ensure that there are documents and training,Ìýbut also to ensure that they areÌýeffective and following best practice
Access restriction to authorised personnel only
The HSE only requires access restrictionÌýfor CL2 and CL3, however, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê restricts access to all laboratories through card access.
Departmental procedures should detail how access is granted. This should include ensuring both the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê mandatory training as well as the specific training required by the department for access to both the labs and for working with specific equipment or techniques. All users should take precautions to eliminate the risk of "tailgating"Ìýand the department will have a procedure for granting access to individuals who have mislaid their access card or visitors to the labs which should be followed.
Procedures should also be in place to manage visitors including maintenance engineers and contractors. Visitors should arrange with the laboratory managerÌýa convenient time to visit so that safety can be maintained.
Door signageÌý
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê requires all significant hazards to have warning signs on the doors andÌýHSE guidance should be followed for significant risks inÌýCL2 and CL3 labs e.g. biohazard warning signs,Ìýcompressed gases, mandatory PPE etc.Ìý
All CLÌý3 laboratories will have a biological hazard warning sign and information on mandatory PPE, a list of users and who to contact in an emergency.
Safe storage
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê requires thatÌýsafe storage is considered as part of any risk assessment working with hazardous substances, including microorganisms, microorganism toxins, GMMs, human and animal derived material. Matters such as security and restricted access should be considered for any substance that requires additional controls and is, or could be, described as a controlled substance. General guidance is available for further information.
Certain biological agents are monitored by the Counter Terrorism and Security Team from the Police. These are listed under Schedule 5 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 - further information can be found here
Training, Competence and Supervision
Permission to work with different biological agents and carry out different techniques and activities will dependÌýon the proven competence of the individual. There is baseline mandatory training and specific training for working in CL3 labs at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê. Additional, specific training may be required for both carrying out specific activities and when taking on a supervisory role:
Mandatory Training
- Principles and Practice of Biosafety training
- Principles of laboratory safety at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê
Supervising equipment
- Appointed Person (Statutory Testing - LEV)
- Appointed Person (Statutory Testing - Pressure Systems and Lifting Equipment)
Principal Investigators
- The Safety Risk Management Programme (learning pathway)
Risk Assessors & Approvers
- Risk assessment for laboratory training
- Principles of Risk Assessment Training
Last updated: Monday, January 16, 2023