Office of Risk Management

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Infection Control

The primary goal of biosafety is to have an effective infection control program. The risk of exposure can be greatly minimized by using administrative controls, engineering controls, good work practices and training. Each of these components will be briefly described below. In addition, specific risks and risk mitigation strategies will also be addressed, including aerosol production, needle stick prevention, disinfection, etc..

It can not be stressed enough that even with controls in place, the possibility of Laboratory Associated Infection (LAI) still exists. Every incident (no matter how small) must be investigated to determine if the risk of exposure exists, and what could be done to prevent the possibility of reoccurrence. Individual health status can greatly determine if one's immune system is able to combat infection.

Administrative Controls:

• training individuals to identify risk, and how to employ safe practices and techniques to minimize risk
• supervising employees to ensure safe practices and techniques are used
• developing emergency plans (aerosol release, spills, exposure, freezer failure)
• ensuring integrity of containment systems (operational and physical)
• investigating accidents / incidents and initiating remedial action

Engineering Controls:

primary barriers	- help to safe guard laboratory staff by confining and isolating the agent ex. biological safety cabinets, sealed homogenizers, safety centrifuge cups ...
secondary barriers	- help protect the environment beyond the laboratory through facility design and construction ex. materials and methods of construction, hand washing facilities, laboratory location and access, ventilation, plumbing ...

Work Practices & Use of Personnel Protective Equipment:

work practices	- reduction of aerosol generation, diligent adherence to disinfection procedures, good housekeeping techniques, minimize use of needles or other sharps, frequent hand washing...
personal protective equipment	- selecting, using and caring for lab coats/gowns, gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, shoe covers...

Training:

• characteristics of biological agent and associated risk
• techniques and procedures
• means of reducing the risk of exposure
• emergency procedures (spill, post-exposure prophylaxis)
• accident / incident reporting

Infection Control Strategies

• Aerosol
• Disinfection
• Good Microbiological Practices
• Hand Washing
• Needle Stick Prevention
• Personal Protective Equipment (Benefits & Limitations)
• UV Germicidal Lights

 

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Technical questions? Contact safety@uottawa.ca