Biosafety Resources by User Group | Risk Management Services | UNT

Biosafety responsibilities vary depending on a person’s role in the laboratory or support area. Use this page to find common biosafety topics and role-specific resources for students, researchers, laboratory personnel, support staff, incident response personnel, supervisors, principal investigators, and departmental leadership.

These topics apply to many people who work in or support UNT laboratories and biological material use areas.

Topics
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Biological Waste Management Decontamination and Disinfection Exposure Reporting Handwashing and Hygiene Practices Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)		Sharps Safety Spill Response Training Requirements Universal Precautions Waste Segregation

Students working in teaching or research laboratories may encounter biological materials, sharps, disinfectants, laboratory equipment, and other hazards. This section provides basic biosafety guidance to help students understand safe lab practices, required training, exposure reporting, spill response, and waste handling expectations.

Topics
Access Control Basic Laboratory Safety Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) Basics Biological Waste Basics Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Awareness Emergency Contacts		Housekeeping Laboratory Conduct Expectations Laboratory Signage Sharps Awareness Spill Reporting Training Requirements

Researchers and laboratory personnel who work with biological materials are responsible for following approved biosafety procedures, using equipment properly, and maintaining safe laboratory practices. This section provides guidance on biosafety training, biological waste, Biological Safety Cabinets, autoclaves, centrifuges, spill response, exposure reporting, and research compliance.

Topics
Autoclaves Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) Biosafety Levels (BSLs) Biosafety Training BMBL Guidance Centrifuges Chain of Custody Equipment Certification Information Exposure Control Plans Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) Incubators Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)			Laboratory Housekeeping Laboratory Practices Recombinant DNA Research Compliance Risk Assessments Secondary Containment Select Agents Shipment of Biological Materials Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Transport of Biological Materials Visitor Restrictions Waste Minimization

Support staff and incident response personnel may enter laboratories or support areas where biological materials, sharps, red bag waste, spills, or contaminated surfaces may be present. This section provides practical guidance for recognizing hazards, using appropriate personal protective equipment, reporting concerns, and responding safely to potential exposure or contamination events.

Topics
Biological Hazard Recognition Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Contacting Environmental Health and Safety Decontamination Procedures Disinfection Logs Emergency Eyewash Exposure Response Floor Decontamination Housekeeping Guidance Incident Reporting		Laundry and Cleanup Concerns Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Red Bag Waste Awareness Regulated Waste Awareness Sharps Containers Sharps Recognition Signage and Labels Spill Kits Spill Awareness and Response

Supervisors, principal investigators, faculty, and departmental leaders help ensure biosafety procedures are followed and personnel receive appropriate training and support. This section provides guidance on oversight responsibilities, hazard assessments, training expectations, incident reporting, inspections, recordkeeping, and Institutional Biosafety Committee requirements.

Topics
Biosafety Program Resources Compliance Responsibilities Contractor Coordination Corrective Actions and Follow-Up Equipment Certification Expectations Exposure Control Responsibilities Exposure Investigations Hazard Assessments IBC Submission Guidance Incident Reporting Requirements Inspection Expectations		Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Laboratory Safety Expectations Laboratory Surveys Occupational Exposure Program Compliance Recordkeeping Requirements Research Compliance Roles and Responsibilities SOP Development Training Oversight Visitor Restrictions