Laboratory Safety

Biohazards

USF BIOSAFETY PROGRAM

The USF Research Integrity and Compliance Biosafety Program. oversees the possession, use, and storage of various Infectious Agents, Recombinant Deoxyribonucleic Acid (rDNA), biological toxins, and Select Agents/Toxins, commonly known as biohazardous materials, in research and/or teaching environments. The Biosafety Program offers training for persons who will use/store such materials, or work where these materials are used/stored.

• Biosafety Program

BIOMEDICAL WASTE

EH&S manages biomedical/biohazardous waste, which is any solid or liquid waste that may present a threat of infection to humans. Examples include but are not limited to body fluids, blood and blood products, needles and syringe units (whether infectious or not), scalpels, and razor blades contaminated with tissues, blood, or body fluids. Sharps include needles, syringes, and contaminated sharp devices (razor blades, scalpels, etc.).

• USF Biomedical Waste Plan
• Biomedical Waste Poster (.pdf)
• Safe Use of Sharps (.doc)
• Vacuum Trap Guidance (.pdf)

BIOMEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

Biomedical Waste (BMW) must be segregated from all other waste. BMW may be stored in the lab in red biohazardous waste bags in a rigid leak-resistant container for up to 30 days. Sharps must be disposed of in specialized sharps containers. Bags and containers must be purchased by the lab. EH&S contracts with a biomedical waste vendor to pick up BMW from each building’s collection area(s).

• Biomedical Waste Disposal FAQs (.pdf)

SPILLS

Only clean up a biohazardous material spill if you have knowledge of the material spilled and proper protective equipment. Spills should be decontaminated following the standard procedure and reported.

• BMW Spill Procedure (.pdf)