Biological and Laboratory Safety

The Biological and Laboratory Safety Group’s mission is to prevent occupational biological exposures to employees and to deter the release of potentially hazardous materials and other biological hazards to the laboratory environment. The Biological Safety Program achieves these objectives through the promotion of safe laboratory practices and procedures, in combination with facility infrastructure requirements to include the proper use of engineering controls and other containment equipment. The biological safety program also provides assistance and oversight for the development and implementation of standard operating procedures combined with specialized training programs.

For additional information or assistance, please contact:

Learn more about Biosafety and our programs below:

Training Programs

• Bloodborne Pathogen Training http://training.ncifcrf.gov/Logon.aspx
• New Employee Safety Training http://home.ncifcrf.gov/ehs/
• Decon Qualified Training
• Biological Safety Cabinet Training- "Effective Use of Class II Biological Safety Cabinets" training CD available
• SafetyGrams http://web.ncifcrf.gov/ehs/ibc/safetygram.aspx
• Biological Material Fact Sheets and Biosafety Technical Bulletins http://web.ncifcrf.gov/ehs/ibc/factsheets.aspx

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen/Medical Surveillance

• NCI-Frederick Exposure Control Plan 
•  Medical Surveillance Enrollment
• Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substances
• P&P 709

Tax-Free Alcohol

• P&P 727

Laboratory Equipment, Practice and Procedures

• Centrifuge Rotor Safety Program
• Laboratory Biological Safety Manual and SOP Guidance Document
• Biological Safety Cabinets http://home.ncifcrf.gov/ehs/uploadedFiles/ISM-144.pdf
• Recommended Biological Transport Container - http://daigger.com/catalog/product/d-Biosafety/Biosafety/p-21756C/Thermo+Scientific+Nalgene%C2%AE+Bio+Transport+carrier+system

Department of Transportation/International Air Transport Association (Shipping)

• Shipping Requests http://web.ncifcrf.gov/campus/safety/wizard/
• Import/Export Permits - Who needs an Import Permit?
  • This Permit is required for animal-derived material or biological material that came in contact with materials of animal origin.
  • Specifically restricted biological material including animal tissues, blood, cells, cell lines, RNA/DNA extracts, hormones, enzymes, proteins, monoclonal and poluclonal, antisera, immunoglobins, recombinant products, immunoassay components, immunoassay kits, microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and other products derived from animal-derived materials.
  • Certain biologic specimens imported for human diagnostic purposes are not restricted by the USDA. These materials include human bone marrow cells and amniocentesis samples that were not grown or transported in tissue culture media containing animal-derived supplements. However, each shipment of patient specimens must be accompanied by a written description accurately explaining the contents. This description must be available for inspection at the port of entry and should be sent with the Customs declarations.
  • Website address http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/pdf/vs16.3.pdf
  • Etiologic Agent, Biological material (infectious) and Vectors all require a CDC permit. This is handled by NIH import permit office 301-451-3295, fax 301-480-0691.
  • Select Agents information contact the EHS office 301-846-5038, Theresa Bell.

USDA/CDC Select Agents

• CDC and USDA regulated agents
• Compliance Manual D-4 D-4 Select Agents.pdf
• Anti-Terrorism Documents
  • New Select Agent Regulation
  • Agriculture Bioterrorism Protection Act
  • Possession, Use and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins (CDC)  

Other Useful Links: