Biological Safety - Infectious Agents

Biological Safety - Infectious Agents

Principal Investigators are responsible for registering all experiments involving pathogenic microorganisms with the Institutional Biosafety Committee before beginning work. Organisms requiring registration are those listed in Appendix B of the NIH Guidelines. Registration is available online. Annual training on the NIH Guidelines is a requirement for all principal investigators who register their research. Investigators whose work may involve the use of select agents should contact the Biosafety Officer for assistance. Federal regulations require researchers to receive training before sending infectious substances (any human or animal pathogen) via commercial carrier. Please take the online general training, then contact the Biosafety Officer for specific training. Additional information is available at Shipping Infectious Substances, and in our Infectious Agents, Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins and Transport of Infectious Substances Fact Sheets.

All work with infectious agents at the University must be registered with and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Take the Web-based
Biosafety Level 2 training

Shipping Human and Animal Pathogens

Shipment of human and animal pathogens is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These regulations are complex and exacting. They require that individuals who prepare infectious materials for shipment (researchers) receive periodic training. In addition, packages must be marked and labeled exactly as the regulations specify, and packaging materials must be tested and certified to withstand certain durability and pressure tests. Cardboard boxes in which you have received supplies cannot be used to ship infectious materials.

If you will be sending human or animal pathogens via commercial carrier, please contact Hallie Heaney via emailor at (301) 405-6513 to schedule a convenient time for a training session.

Post-Exposure Procedures

The following are post-exposure procedures for some infectious organisms found in labs at UM:

Related Sites

	Related Topics
	Biological Safety Autoclaves Biological Safety Cabinets Bloodborne Pathogens Infectious Agents	Permits Recombinant DNA Select Agents and Toxins Shipping Infectious Substances Work with NHP Material