Infectious Material Handling Procedure

This document is to read in conjunction with the Infectious Material Handling Policy, the Gene Technology Act 2000 and the Occupational safety and Health Regulations WA 1996.

Procedure

All category one and two activities shall require the approval of the Institutional BioSafety Committee prior to commencement.

There is no requirement for approval for category three activities.

Staff and Research Personnel

Persons selected for employment or research involving category one or two activities shall be required to undergo serum testing to determine their status in relation to Hepatitis B. persons for to antigen positive may be employed but must agree to the fact of their Hepatitis status being communicated in confidence to the Head of School. The cost of testing and vaccination shall be payable by the University.

This includes honors and postgraduate students. There are no special requirements for staff engaged in category three activities.

Students

An offer of a place in a unit involving category one activities is subject to the results of a serum test on the person receiving the offer. The serum test must establish the antibody and antigen status in relation to Hepatitis B. persons found to be antigen positive in respect to Hepatitis B shall be permitted to enroll in the unit, but must agree to their hepatitis status being communicated in confidence to the Head of School and the unit coordinator. Applicants found to be antibody and antigen negative in respect of Hepatitis B shall be required to produce a certificate of vaccination as a condition of enrollment.

Students enrolling in units involving category two activities shall be advised to undergo testing and vaccination for Hepatitis B.

The cost of the testing and vaccination shall be payable by the prospective student.

These are no special requirements for students engaged in category three activities.

Areas

Access to areas conducting category one activities shall be restricted to staff and students who have complied with vaccination requirements unless under the direct and constant supervision of authorized persons. This includes Cleaning, Maintenance and Contractors. The area shall be clearly designated as 'Restricted Access', signed with a biohazard symbol, contain at least one Biosafety hood and remain locked at all times when unattended.

Areas conducting category two activities shall contain a biosafety hood, be appropriately signed with the biohazard symbol and prominently display the biohazard symbol.

Areas conducting category three activities shall prominently display the biohazard symbol.