Biological Safety

OSU Biological Safety provides oversight, guidance, and support for research and activities involving biological hazards, including pathogens, human source materials, recombinant DNA, and other regulated materials. The program supports research and teaching across the university by ensuring work is conducted safely, responsibly, and in compliance with federal and state regulations. Through a combination of regulatory oversight, training, risk assessment, and operational programs, Biological Safety protects personnel, the public, and the environment while enabling safe and effective research. Research involving biological hazards is reviewed and overseen by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

 

Biological Safety Programs

  • Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) 

    Provides regulatory oversight and review of research involving biological hazards, including recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, pathogens, and human source materials, to ensure compliance with NIH Guidelines and institutional requirements.

  • Bloodborne Pathogens Program

    Establishes requirements for exposure prevention, training, medical surveillance, and incident response for work involving human blood or other potentially infectious materials.

  • Sharps Safety 

    Provides requirements for the safe use, handling, and disposal of sharps, with a focus on injury prevention and proper reporting of sharps-related incidents.

  • Biological Waste Management 

    Defines procedures for the treatment, handling, and disposal of biological waste, including cultures, sharps, and contaminated materials, in accordance with state and federal regulations.

  • Autoclave Testing Program  

    Ensures effective decontamination of biological materials through proper autoclave use, performance verification, and routine testing requirements.

 

Program Details

  • Work with human source materials? – Bloodborne Pathogens Program and Sharps Safety requirements apply
  • Work with microorganisms or pathogens? – Biosafety practices, IBC oversight, and biological waste requirements apply
  • Work with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules? – IBC review and r/sNA training requirements apply
  • Generate biological waste? – Biological Waste Management requirements apply
  • Use sharps? – Sharps Safety and proper disposal requirements apply

 

Animal Handler Safety Training

Individuals who will work with animals or have significant contact with animals must complete required training before beginning animal work. This includes hazard awareness topics such as zoonotic diseases, animal allergies, physical injuries, sharps safety, and research-related hazards. Training also covers methods to minimize personal risk and the importance of medical monitoring. Animal Exposure Safety Awareness Training is delivered through the CITI Program as part of OSU’s IACUC requirements. Please visit the IACUC Participant Requirements page for details on required modules and enrollment steps: https://research.oregonstate.edu/ori/iacuc/participant-requirements 

Animal Source Materials Training

For individuals not covered by the IACUC/Animal Program Office who work with higher-risk animal-derived materials (e.g., wild-caught wildlife, fresh or untreated tissues or fluids, or procedures likely to generate splashes or aerosols), biosafety training is required to address associated risks. These topics are addressed within OSU’s BSL-2 Laboratory Biosafety training, which is assigned through SciShield based on work activities.

BSL-2 Laboratory Biosafety Training

Required for personnel who work with Risk Group 2 (BSL-2) biological agents. This training provides an overview of biosafety principles, hazard recognition, risk mitigation, safe work practices, waste management, and response to potential exposures. Training is assigned through SciShield and completed as an online module prior to beginning work.

Bloodborne Pathogens for BSL-2 Researchers

Required for personnel who work with human source materials. This instructor-led training covers bloodborne pathogen risks, exposure prevention, and regulatory requirements. Training is assigned through SciShield based on work activities and must be completed prior to initiating work.

Training for Researchers using Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (r/sNA)

Training is required for personnel who conduct research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. This training covers requirements for work conducted in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, including investigator responsibilities, containment principles, and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversight.