Microbiological

• Overview
• UTS Biosafety Committee
• Resources

Overview

The key guide to microbiological safety in laboratories is:

• Australian Standard / New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 2243.3:2003 Safety in Laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment
  This standard gives examples of the four risk groupings of microorganisms and details the corresponding four levels of containment required for work involving those microorganisms.

Any work dealing with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is covered by the Gene Technology Act and Regulations 2000 and administered by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (open an external site).

Researchers and subject coordinators who deal with certain pathogens and GMOs must notify the UTS Biosafety Committee of these dealings.

UTS Biosafety Committee

The Vice-Chancellor established the UTS Biosafety Committee to check that safety and environmental risks arising from research projects and teaching protocols involving the following dealings are adequately managed:

• genetically modified organisms classified as:
  • NLRDs (notifiable low risk dealings), and
  • DNIRs (dealings NOT involving intentional release),
• pathogens (risk group 2 from AS/NZS 2243.3:2003),
• ionizing radiation sources, and
• cytotoxins (e.g. teratogens, carcinogens, mutogens).

Research projects involving these dealings should be registered with the UTS Biosafety Committee.

UTS: Research provide further information on biosafety at UTS (login required - UTS staff access only) including details of the:

• UTS Biosafety Committee, and
• biosafety application and associated forms and guidelines.

Resources

Australian Standards / New Zealand Standards

• AS/NZS 2243.3:2002 Safety in laboratories - Microbiology
  This is the key guide to microbiological safety.
• AS 2252, AS 2567, AS 2639 and AS 2647 - covers design, installation and use of biological safety cabinets.

Australia Government

• Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

  Website: www.daff.gov.au/aqis/

• Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

  Department of Health and Ageing
  Website: www.ogtr.gov.au

Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory

• Website: www.vidrl.org.au