Chapter 5 - Biological Hazards

Biological Hazards
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
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Biological Hazards
Contents
Element 1- Overview................................................................................................................................. 294
1.1 Biological Agent .................................................................................................................................. 294
1.1.1Types of Biological Agent .............................................................................................................. 295
1.1.2 Sources of Biological Agent .......................................................................................................... 298
1.1.3 Properties of Biological Agents .................................................................................................... 298
1.1.4 Difference between chemical agent and biological agent........................................................... 299
Element 2- Classification of biological agents into Hazard Groups (HG) .................................................. 300
2.1 Biological Hazard Levels .................................................................................................................. 300
2.2 Classification of biological hazards agents for transportation ........................................................ 301
Element 3- How do biohazards enter the body? ...................................................................................... 302
3.1 Routes of Entry................................................................................................................................ 302
3.2 How biological hazards are spread? ............................................................................................... 303
3.3 Infections at workplace ................................................................................................................... 304
Element 4- Preventive and control measures........................................................................................... 307
4.1 Control exposure to biological hazards........................................................................................... 307
4.1.1 Engineering Controls ................................................................................................................ 307
4.1.2 Administrative Controls ........................................................................................................... 308
4.1.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ...................................................................................... 309
4.2 Checklist for assessing workplace biological hazards ..................................................................... 313
Element 5- Working with Sewage ............................................................................................................. 314
Element 6- Containment Levels ................................................................................................................ 318
Transport of infectious substances ........................................................................................................... 321
Element 7- Dealing with accidents due to spillage of biological agents ................................................... 326
Element 8- Biohazardous Waste ............................................................................................................... 330
Element 9- Control measures of biological hazard by occupation ........................................................... 333
Element 10- The Biological Agents Regulations........................................................................................ 339
Workplace Vaccinations............................................................................................................................ 340
Element 11- Risk assessment involving Biological Agents: Factors to consider ....................................... 342
References ................................................................................................................................................ 342

Biological Hazards
Element 1- Overview
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Explain the meaning of biological hazard and biological agent
• List the types of biological agent
• Describe Sources and properties of biological agent
• Differentiate between chemical agent and biological agent
Meaning of Biological Hazard
A biological hazard, also known as a biohazard, is an organism or a by-product from an

organism that is harmful or potentially harmful to other living things, primarily human beings.
Common types of biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, medical waste and toxins that
were produced by organisms. The "biohazard” symbol is a familiar sight in hospitals, and any
object that carries it should be treated with extreme caution. Biological hazards vary in their
degree of severity and the precautions employed when handling, storing or disposing of them
are determined accordingly.
1.1 Biological Agent
The ILO defines a biological agent as:

“Any micro-organism, cell culture, or human end parasite, which may cause any infection,
allergy, toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human health. These include viruses and

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bacteria which can cause infection and disease, dangerous plants and animals (for example
parasites or insects), biologically contaminated dusts, or wastes from humans and animals.”
Source: Health, Safety and Environment: A series of trade union education manuals for
agricultural workers (Manual 4, Fact Sheet 3),
Copyright © International Labor Organization 2004
Biological agents can be transmitted through a variety of sources including
• natural materials (e.g. plants),
• animals,
• food,
• organic dust (e.g. pollen),
• wastewater, and
• Bodily fluids.
Hazardous biological agents have the potential to cause adverse health effects through
infection, poisoning, or other toxic effects, as well as through activation of acute or chronic
allergies—especially respiratory allergies.
Industries in which exposure to harmful biological agents is a concern include:
• agriculture,
• Health care and bioscience,
• food production,
• forestry,
• metal processing,
• wood processing,
• building materials processing,
• waste collection,
• Within libraries and museums,
• Mining, and
• Construction industries.
1.1.1Types of Biological Agent
Four principal types of biological agent are:

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• fungi,
• bacteria,
• viruses and
• Protozoa.
• Fungi
Fungi contain moulds and yeasts. Some fungi are able to cause infection on or inside the human
body (e.g. athlete’s foot). Some fungi generate toxins (mycotoxins) that are injurious to
humans. Fungi reproduce by forming spores that are released, discrete and get a suitable
environment to grow in. Inhalation of large numbers of these tiny spores may cause lung
disease, such as Farmer’s Lung. Generally, most fungi are harmless in an occupational context.
• Bacteria
Bacteria are simple single-celled organisms which are available in various shapes and will have a
tail like structure that helps them to move in water. Some of the bacteria are so hard that it can
bear heat, cold and lack of water (e.g. bacillus anthraces, the bacteria responsible for anthrax).
Bacteria’s grow in all the conditions like on earth, water, soil and in ocean. Some of the bacteria
will not harm the human bodies due to the immune system. Some (e.g. certain gut bacteria) are
actually beneficial. Some bacteria can cause disease (e.g. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the
Legionella bacterium). Bacterial infections can be treated with the use of antibiotics such as
penicillin.
• Viruses

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A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.
Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms,
including bacteria and archaea.
Viral diseases are normally prevented by the body's immune system. Sometimes the immune
system takes longer time to prevent from the infection, which may result in illness for instance
when attacked by common cold. Some infections when not able to prevent by immune of the
body might result to death (e.g. small pox) and also can lead to HIV.
• Protozoa
Protozoa includes cell nucleus which are very huge and varied group of single-celled organisms.
These are totally different from bacteria. Many diseases are caused by protozoan’s, most
common is malaria. Sleeping sickness, giardia, amoebic dysentery and toxoplasmosis are all
caused by different protozoan’s. When diseases caused by protozoa require drugs and it cannot
be resolved with human immune system.

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1.1.2 Sources of Biological Agent

Pathogenic (disease causing) biological agents come from three main sources; humans, animals
and the environment.
• Human sources –most of the fungal, bacterial and viral infections are passed from human-to-
human due to the following:
1. transfer of body fluids (e.g. viral hepatitis can be transferred by a needle-stick injury),
2. By drip infection (e.g. tuberculosis (TB) can be spread by coughing and sneezing) or
3. By physical cross-contamination (e.g. ‘flu virus spread by touching the nose and then
touching a surface that others then come into contact with).
• Animal sources – some of the dangerous fungal, bacterial and viral infections are passed from
animals to humans. For example, rabies is a viral disease that can be passed from infected
animals to people when there is a bite; Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which is spread when
there is contact with water or surfaces contaminated with an infected animal’s urine (e.g. rat
urine). A disease that can pass from animals to humans is referred to as a zoonosis (or zoonose
or zoonotic disease).
• Environmental sources – some dangerous working diseases originate in the general
environment rather than coming from a human or animal source. The best example of this is
Legionnaires’ disease (or ‘legionella’) caused by the Legionella bacteria. This bacterium is
naturally occurring in damp soil and water bodies.
1.1.3 Properties of Biological Agents
The national legislation regularly characterizes biological hazard as a sort of 'hazardous

substance' (for instance, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations in
Great Britain), as a result, placing biological agent in a similar class as dangerous chemicals. The
biological agents have properties like:
• Fast transformation – like each single living organism, biological agents are dependent upon
transformation; their hereditary code changes past a few time, so changing the qualities of the
life form. Some biological agents have a high transformation rate. This implies their hereditary
code and their attributes change rapidly, making it extremely hard for the human body to

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adequately identify and attack them. HIV, for instance, is extremely hard for the body to battle
in light of the fact that the infection is continually evolving.
• Incubation period – there is normally a period delay between infection (when an individual
comes down with a problem) and when the principal signs and symptoms of the sickness
become obvious. This hatching period can run from 1-3 days (for 'influenza) to numerous years
(maybe 30-50 years for Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (CJD is a fatal degenerative brain disorder.).
This implies the nearness of a biological agent may not be identifiable and that a connection
between the source of an infection and the side effects of the difficulty may not be made.
• Infectious – it is regularly the situation that an individual (or animal) experiencing a sickness is
irresistible, for example equipped for spreading the disease to other people. Numerous
illnesses spread by making the bearer irresistible. At the point when this is the situation, an
infected individual represents a hazard to their co-workers; others that they may come into
direct contact with; and at times the network on the loose. Sneeze reflex occurs in response to
an irritant in the nose and also tuberculosis is a case of a strongly irresistible illness that can
spread inside the community. A few diseases are not infectious, for example Legionnaires'
infection isn't passed starting with one individual then onto the next. At times an individual
might be infected with an illness and become irresistible without giving any indications or side
effects of the disease (they are asymptomatic);
• Rapid augmentation –micro organisms can multiply quickly when natural conditions are
correct. For instance, the E. coli bacterium (a gut bacterium) is fit for duplicating at a rate more
prominent than one cell division at regular intervals.
1.1.4 Difference between chemical agent and biological agent
Biological agent is a term used to describe microorganisms that are biological in nature and
origin, to which exposure in sufficient quantities and duration may result in illness or injury to
human health. Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites or parts thereof or
products they generate. Reporting exposures to common agents such as cold and common
influenza is not required.
Chemical agent is a term used to describe all chemical elements and compounds in a natural
state or in a processed state and their byproducts, the exposure to which in sufficient quantities
and duration may result in illness or injury to human health.
Exercises:
1. What is the meaning of biological hazard?
2. Explain the sources and properties of biological agent

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3. Distinguish between chemical agent and biological agent
Element 2- Classification of biological agents into Hazard Groups (HG)
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to:
• Explain Biological hazard levels
• Classify bio hazards agents for transportation by UN number
2.1 Biological Hazard Levels

A bio safety level is a set of bio containment precautions required to isolate
dangerous biological agents in an enclosed laboratory facility. The levels of containment range
from the lowest bio safety level 1 (BSL-1) to the highest at level 4 (BSL-4).
Biological Safety level 1 (BSL-1) is assigned to agents that don't by and large reason illness in
healthy people. A model would be bacillus subtilis, a typical soil bacterium that is abundantly
contemplated by geneticists and which can infrequently cause illness in individuals with
seriously injured immune systems. For these hazards, no uncommon control is required and
typical microbiology research facility methodology, for example, wearing gloves and a face-veil,
are sufficient. The hazards are viewed as reasonable for students and staff experiencing
preparing to work with.

Biological Hazards
BSL-2 is for agents that can cause disease, perhaps genuine, in healthy people, yet which as of
now exist in the common people outside and are not transmissible by inward breath. These
agents can just purpose infectivity through direct contact with infected material by means of
slices and scraped areas or through ingestion. Models are HIV, the hepatitis B infection and
salmonella. Biohazard images must be obviously shown and BSCs or comparative gadgets are
utilized for any work that may cause sprinkles or produce aerosols. An autoclave must be
available, to permit disinfection of instruments. Access to BSL-2 regions is confined to prepared
staff.
BSL-3 applies to pathogens that reason genuine and hazardous diseases and which can wind up
airborne, for instance, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. These microorganisms can infect
without direct contact with infected material, so they require especially stringent safety
measures. Access to the working zone is exceptionally limited and BSCs are utilized for all work
with materials that may contain the pathogen.
BSL-4 is saved for pathogens that reason infections with high casualty rates and for which there
are no proper medicines or antibodies, for instance, Marburg disease. It might likewise be
utilized for those agents that are obscure or not completely seen, for example, another strain of
flu or an infection that has not recently been found in people. Far beyond the systems for BSL-
3, all staff must work in full-body weight suits with their own air supply and should shower
before leaving. All materials leaving the research center must be sterilized.
2.2 Classification of biological hazards agents for transportation

Bio hazardous agents are classified for transportation by UN (United Nations) number:
• Category A, UN 2814 – Infectious substance, affecting humans: An infectious substance

in a form capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in
otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs.
• Category A, UN 2900 – Infectious substance, affecting animals (only): An infectious
substance that is not in a form generally capable of causing permanent disability or life-
threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans and animals when exposure to
them occurs.
• Category B, UN 3373 – Biological substance transported for diagnostic or investigative
purposes.

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• Regulated Medical Waste, UN 3291 – Waste or reusable material derived from medical
treatment of an animal or human, or from biomedical research, which includes the
production and testing.
Exercises:
1. Explain in detail bio safety levels
2. List out the classification of biological agents for transportation
Element 3- How do biohazards enter the body?

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to:
• Explain routes of entry of bio hazards into the body
• Deliver common infections at the workplace
• Explain preventive measures to overcome those infections
Hazardous materials:
Hazardous material is any solid, liquid, or gas that has the potential to cause harm to
animals, humans, or the environment. A substance that can cause harm or death on its own or
in combination with another element by being inhaled, ingested, or absorbed is deemed to be a
hazardous material. They are typically found in industrial plants, service stations, hospitals,
chemical manufacturers, and waste disposal sites but can also be found in cleaning solutions
that are found in numerous workplaces.
3.1 Routes of Entry

Biological hazards can enter the body from various perspectives. When deciding suitable
defensive measures, it ought to be clear to see how it can enter the body.
Biological Hazards enter the body through:

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- Inhalation through breathing

- Absorption direct contact through breaks in the skin, even chapped skin, or through
mucous membranes/ contact with eyes, nose, mouth.
- Ingestion through swallowing
- Injection through a puncture
The most common routes of entry for biological hazards are inhalation and absorption from
direct contact
Inhalation
Inward breath is a typical route for biohazards to get into the body. The impact on the body
relies upon the biohazard and the sum that is taken in. In contrast to inhalation of chemicals,
we regularly don't realize we have breathed in a micro organisms, infection or any form that
there is no smell or taste there are no bothering impacts. We generally tend to know that we
were not covered only after we are affected by the infection.
Absorption
A biohazard can enter the circulatory system through broken skin, for example, a cut, dried out
skin, hangnail or some other break in the skin. Spread broken skin with dressing or gloves to
seal the injury and wear the right PPE (personal protective equipment) to protect the injury
region from bio dangerous access. Sprinkles of blood or body liquids to the eyes are ways that
biohazards can be consumed.
Ingestion
Gulping biohazards can now and then happen without us knowing it, basically from not washing
our hands. Poor hand washing is one of the most well-known way that bio dangers can be
transmitted. Laborers must consistently wash their hands before eating with the goal that any
dangerous material on the hands isn't ingested
Injection
When something sharp punctures the skin, a biohazard can enter the body through the skin. At
home, in the event that you drop a glass on the floor, what do you do? Clear up the pieces with
a sweeper? Lift them up with your uncovered hands could empower the bio material to enter
the body through the cut.
3.2 How biological hazards are spread?
Biohazard Disease Spread Precaution / control
Bacteria Pink eye Human to human Do not share eye

contact makeup, wash hands
after use

Biological Hazards
Virus Hepatitis A Human to human Do not ingest

contact contaminated water
or food, avoid direct
contact with infected
person
Virus Hepatitis B Human to human Immunization, avoid

contact contact with infected
people, avoid
tattooing and body
piercing dispose of
sharps in disposal
container
Virus Hepatitis C Human to human Avoid direct contact

contact with infected
persons, avoid
tattooing and body
piercing, follow
standard precautions
Virus Measles Human to human Immunization, avoid

contact spread by direct contact with
cough and nasal infected people
droplets
3.3 Infections at workplace
Disease Cause Transmission Prevention

Anthrax Bacillus anthraces Intestines (ingestion), lungs Avoid skin contact
(inhalation), or skin with the potentially
(cutaneous) contaminated body
and fluids exuded
through natural body
openings.
impermeable
clothing and
equipment such
as rubber gloves,
rubber apron, and
rubber boots with no

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perforations should
be used when
handling
Zoonoses Ebola virus through the air by eating Clean your hands
disease and salmonell contaminated meat or Use insect and
os produce, through close mosquito repellents
contact with an infected to avoid getting
animal by touching an area bitten from them.
or surface that an infected Wash all your
animal touched, through produce before
insect bites like cooking and drink
mosquitoes or ticks pasteurized milk
only.
If any animal around
you is sick, avoid
directly touching
them and make use
of gloves.
Bovine Prions by the inhalation of Cattle should not be
Spongiform infectious airborne fed with rendered
Encephalopathy particles material from
contaminating preexisting slaughtered animals.
wounds; splashing into Infected animals
mucous membranes (eyes must be isolated and
and mouth); or being destroyed. Cattle
swallowed must be constantly
monitored for BSE
and the brains of
dead and
slaughtered cattle
must be tested for
the disease.
Influenza Virus airborne route through Cover nose/mouth
hand-to-eye, hand-to-nose, with tissue
or hand-to-mouth when coughing or
transmission, either from sneezing
contaminated surfaces or Wash your
from direct personal hands frequently wit
contact such as a h soap
handshake. Avoid touching
eyes/nose/mouth
Avoid close contact

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with sick people
Legionnaires' Legionella By inhaling microscopic Water should be

water droplets containing monitored and
legionella bacteria. This cleaned regularly.
might be from the spray
from a shower, faucet or
whirlpool, or water from
the ventilation system in a
large building.
Severe Acute SARS corona virus Contact of the mucous There is no vaccine
Respiratory membranes with respirator for SARS. Isolation
Syndrome y droplets or fomites. and quarantine
remain the most
effective means to
prevent the spread
of SARS.
Blood Borne HIV, HBV BBVs are mainly Always avoid contact
Viruses transmitted sexually or by with blood and other
direct exposure to infected bodily fluids. Wear
blood or other body fluids disposable gloves
contaminated with when providing care.
infected blood. Use needles with
safety devices to
help prevent needle
stick injury and
exposure to blood
borne pathogens.

Biological Hazards
Exercises:
1. What are the routes of entry for biological hazards?

2. How these hazards are spread?
3. What are the common infections at workplace?
Element 4- Preventive and control measures
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to;
• Explain Preventive and control measures which includes engineering control,

administrative control and personal protective equipment
• Describe Importance of training procedure to the employees while working

with dangerous material
4.1 Control exposure to biological hazards

There are three ways to deal with control dangers. The principal thought for controlling bio
risks, similarly as with every single other sort of hazards, is to see engineering controls. In the
event that a danger can't be wiped out or physically controlled through engineering techniques
a second way to deal with controlling risks is administrative controls then PPE is fundamental.
4.1.1 Engineering Controls

Engineering controls are procedures intended to shield laborers from dangerous conditions by
putting a difficulty between the laborer and the risk or by expelling a dangerous substance
through air ventilation. Engineering controls include a physical change to the work environment
itself, as opposed to depending on laborers' behavior or expecting laborers to wear protective
garments.
Engineering controls is the third of five individuals from the hierarchy system of hazard
controls, which requests control procedures by their possibility and viability. Engineering
controls are favored over administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) as
they are intended to evacuate the danger at the source, before it interacts with the employees.
Well-structured engineering controls can be exceptionally convincing in ensuring laborers and
will normally be autonomous of laborers relations to give this significant level of assurance. The
underlying expense of engineering controls can be higher than the expense of administrative
controls or PPE, yet over the more extended term, working expenses are every now and again
lower, and in certain examples, can give a cost investment funds in different ways of the
procedure.
The most common way of engineering control in the workplace is adopting the following ways:

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• Ventilation
• Local exhaust ventilation
• Control verification
• Containment
4.1.2 Administrative Controls

Administrative controls are training, system, policy, or move plans that diminish the risk of a
hazard to a person. Administrative controls regularly change the manner of individuals (e.g.,
assembly line laborers) as opposed to expelling the real risk or giving personal protective
equipment (PPE).
Administrative controls are fourth in hierarchy of hazard controls, which positions the viability
and productivity of danger controls. Administrative controls are more viable than PPE as that
they include some way of earlier plan and avoidance, while PPE just serves just as a last
boundary between the risk and laborer. Administrative controls are second least since they
require laborers or bosses to effectively think or agree to guidelines and don't offer perpetual
answers for issues. Basically, administrative controls are less expensive to start, yet they may
turn out to be progressively costly after some time as higher disappointment rates and the
requirement for steady training or re-affirmation overtime the underlying investments of the
three increasingly hazard controls in the chain of hierarchy. The U.S. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health suggests administrative controls when risks can't be expelled or
changed, and engineering controls are not useful.
Some common examples of administrative controls include:
• work practice controls such as prohibiting mouth pipetting and recapping of needles,
• As well as rotating worker shifts in coal mines to prevent hearing loss.
• Other examples include hours of service regulations for commercial vehicle operators,
• Safety signage for hazards, and regular maintenance of equipment.
Training of workers is the most important way of administrative controls

In research facility workforce, teaching is a significant part of staff assurance. It is essential to
give sufficient contamination control preparing to possibly uncovered laborers and report
modifiable sicknesses speedily. The most significant strategies for the remedial action of
irresistible ailments among research center laborers are to secure them against direct contact
with biological material, apply medicines, and execute appropriate post-presentation methods.
Proper propensities for laborers are important to the anticipation of contaminations in work
environments. It is important to create commonsense guidelines planned for improving
occupational wellbeing to ensure this to gathering against the destructive impacts of biological
agents. A connection between learning, hazard recognition, and immunization practices among
medical attendants were confirmed. The distinguished guard things of information and hazard

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recognition can be valuable for future immunization crusades. Countless patients with a
business Ebola hemorrhagic fever even after the usage of obstruction nursing indicated at the
need fortify preparing and supervision of nearby HCWs. It must be recognized that restorative
indicative research facilities present essentially expanded dangers to the soundness of lab
workers. Subsequently, appropriately worked out and obeyed methods guaranteeing wellbeing
in work with biological agent and microorganisms, and appropriately prepared lab staff assume
basic jobs in decreasing the hazard. Proper capabilities and propensities for laborers created
through preparing are of significance to the anticipation of contaminations in research facilities.
An increasingly complete examination is required to survey precisely the degree of industrial
hazard to HCWs in the securing of delivering living beings and their forward transmission to
family contacts. It additionally features the significance of proper research center practices for
containing infected mosquitoes and anticipating contact with possibly irresistible material,
including the age of conceivably irresistible pressurized canned products. Analysts have to hold
fast to suggested bio safety rehearses when taking care of any live bacterial societies, even
damaged strains, and open establishments should execute and keep up compelling observation
frameworks to distinguish and screen unforeseen intense disease in research facility laborers.
Furthermore, bio waste the board must be supported through suitable instruction, preparing,
and duty of medicinal services staff, the board, and human services chiefs inside a powerful
arrangement and administrative structure.
4.1.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
At the point when a danger represents a risk, even in the wake of engineering and
administrative controls have been actualized, at that point PPE is essential. The most widely
recognized kinds of PPE that shield you from bio dangers include: latex gloves and eye cover
In the event that quite possibly body liquids can enter through either direct contact or by being
sprinkled, at that point a face shield or security goggles are vital. Working in conditions, for
example, medical clinic, labs, veterinary centers or meat pressing offices, may require
uncommon security attire or full body cover against bio risks. Contingent upon the work,
laborers may likewise present to compound risks and accordingly, the PPE would need to
ensure against the two sorts of risks.
For PPE to be compelling it must be worn accurately and must be agreeable and fitted for every
individual. Laborers must be prepared appropriately with the goal that it is worn when
required.
The types of PPE to protect from biological hazards are:
1. Protective clothing
• Protective garments incorporate defensive coverall (with connected hood), outfit, cover, head
and shoe covers;

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• Protective dress must be waterproof or impenetrable to fluids to shield the body from
infectivity by blood, beads or other body liquids and keep these contaminants from getting into
the body through open injuries or polluting the laborer's very own attire, in this way decreasing
the opportunity of spreading of pathogen and cross-contamination;
• Protective dress is dispensable much of the time however some can be reused after cleansing;
• Standard defensive dress ought to be picked (for instance, EU EN 340);
• Protective dress should fit the wearer and should not hamper development;
• Protective apparel must be checked before use and supplanted whenever harmed;
• Biologically violated defensive garments should be discarded in extraordinarily structured
garbage sack set apart with "biological Hazard" notice and mark. Seal the sack and spot it in
assigned area for uncommon transfer;
• How to put on protective apparel: Take up the outfit with the back confronting the wearer.
Slip the arms through the sleeves first and tie the neckline string behind the neck. At that point
tie the string around the abdomen;
• How to remove protective dress: Loosen the neckline string. Sneak off the sleeves on the two
sides and the upper piece of the outfit. Turn the outfit back to front. Move it outward and
arrange.

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2. Goggles/Face shields
security goggles/glasses and face shields can shield the eyes from reaching pathogen-conveying
blood, beads or other body liquids which may then enter the body through the mucosa;
• Standard goggles ought to be picked
• Glasses without side shields can just shield the front from fluid sprinkle;
• Goggles fit the face cozily and along these lines are superior to glasses in eye security;
• If important, face shield must be utilized to ensure the entire face;
• Both face shields and goggles/glasses must be cleaned with fluid cleanser consistently.
Whenever tainted by blood, they ought to be absorbed 1:49 weakened fluid dye and afterward
flushed with clean water. Spot them in plastic packs in the wake of cleaning dry and store them
in a bureau;
• Check them consistently. Supplant them if rusty, broke, scratched or hazed;
• How to put on goggles: Hold the goggles with one hand and spot them before the eyes. Put
the head band around the head and change in accordance with fit.
• How to remove the goggles: Hold the goggles gently and sneak off the head band. Keep the
goggles in a legitimate spot or clean them.
• How to put on a face shield: Before use, amass the face shield as indicated by guidelines given
by the maker. The best approach to put on and remove a face shield is like that of goggles.
3. Gloves

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• Gloves shield the hands from reaching blood, beads, body liquids and other body tissue of the
tainted or pathogen-defiled items and can stay away from contamination when contacting the
eyes, mouth or nose a short time later. Gloves can likewise shield open injuries from sullying by
pathogen;
• Most gloves are dispensable after use;
• Check whether the material utilized for the gloves is resistant to chemicals. Request subtleties
from the gloves providers;
• Gloves should fit the hands cozily however they must not hamper development or influence
reasonableness;
• Keep the nails short to abstain from puncturing the gloves;
• Two sets of gloves may be worn in taking care of profoundly dangerous substances;
• Wash hands altogether when use; an expanded glove implies that air is caught inside and
there is no cut. Overlay the open finish of the glove and move it up to snare air inside.
• Check if there is any cut before use. To do as such, move up the open finish of the glove to
check whether it can trap air inside. A punctured glove ought to be supplanted right away.
• Contaminated gloves ought to be discarded in uncommon trash sack set apart with "biological
risk" notice and name. Attach the sack and spot it in an assigned area for exceptional transfer;
• How to put on gloves: put them on before dealing with any blood or items with potential bio
dangers. Wear a couple that fits the hands and suitable for the activity;
• How to take off gloves: change or take off the gloves each time in the wake of reaching a
patient or taking care of research facility examples. Dispensable gloves ought to never be
reused. To remove the gloves, get the edge of the left glove with the correct hand and
afterward pull it off away from the body to turn it back to front. At that point utilize within the
left glove to cover the correct glove and strip it.
4. Personal hygiene
Washing hands with fluid cleanser is the least difficult and most fundamental strategy to evade
contamination. Be that as it may, it is regularly disused. Wash hands when work. Additionally
wash hands preceding and in the wake of wearing protective attire, garbs or gloves to diminish
the probability of disease.

Biological Hazards
4.2 Checklist for assessing workplace biological hazards

Once Biological Hazards have been identified, it is important to put together a Safety Plan to
mitigate the risks. While putting together this plan the organizer should consult employees in
the workplace as well as answer the following questions.
Questions to ask about Biological Hazards when assessing your workplace
* Are my employees working around other people who may have a disease or sickness?
* Do my employees work with or around animals and insects?
* Is the work space clean and clear of mold and fungi?
* Will my employees be working around potentially hazardous pathogens or biological
materials such as sewage?
* If my employees are around biological hazards do they have the right protective equipment to
be safe?
* Are there any “sharp” materials that need to be cleaned regularly and properly and/or
disposed of safely and securely?
Occupations and workplaces where people may come into contact with biological hazards
• Medical staff, cleaning staff and laboratory technicians in the medical profession;
• Healthcare-services;
• Cleaning services and property management;
•Employees in environmental hygiene services such as liquid waste and rubbish collection and
disposal;
• Agriculture, fishery, veterinary services, and manufacturing industries that use plant- or
animal- based raw materials, such as paper and paper products, textile, leather and furs and
related products;
• Indoor workplaces like entertainment premises, restaurants and hotels, where employees
generally work in enclosed areas with central air-conditioning: – Any microorganism breeding
inside the air-conditioning system or cooling towers may spread in the workplace through the
air-conditioning system.
• In the office building, the furnishing materials like carpets and wall- papers, the potted
plants and places that are wet and damp or utensils that hold water are likely to be the
breeding ground for microorganisms.
• Hospital staff will regularly comes into contact with potentially hazardous materials,
such as used syringes and discarded dressings. These materials should be normally put
into special, clearly marked bags and containers for burning. The use of disposable
gloves, combined with basic hygiene practices, such as frequently washing hands and
disinfection of surfaces, helps prevent these materials from causing disease.
• Sometimes the humans working with most dangerous or toxic biological agents will
need proper vaccines and medications. Substitute way of treatments need to be found
as bacteria can acquire conflict to antibiotics. Some viruses transform rapidly, rendering
vaccines ineffective and requiring the development and testing of new ones. In some
cases, there has never been a vaccine. Research into dangerous microorganisms, or

Biological Hazards
pathogens, is carried out at highly specialized establishments, which employ a range of

precautions, procedures and equipment to prevent infection and escape.
Exercises:
1. What are the control measures for exposure to biological hazards?
2. Explain training of workers under administrative control.
Element 5- Working with Sewage
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to;
• Give the meaning of sewage and who are exposed to sewage
• Explain the common infections faced by the sewage workers
• Describe the training of laborers while in contact with sewage material and control
measures
-
What is sewage?
The term might be utilized to mean raw sewage, sewage slime, or septic tank squander. Raw
sewage is mostly water containing stool, modern profluent and flotsam and jetsam, for
example, clean towels, condoms, plastic and so on. Feces are the real wellspring of hurtful
smaller scale life forms, including microscopic organisms, infections and parasites. Sewage
treatment decreases the water substance and evacuates trash, yet doesn't kill or expel all the
small scale living beings.

Biological Hazards
Workers Exposure to Sewage
Activities that will bring worker with the contact of sewage are:
• Workers engaged with sewer investigation and support work
• Workers working with versatile can frameworks
• Workers at sewage treatment plants
• Agricultural and ranger service laborers who might be presented to sewage slime
• Sludge tank drivers/administrators
• Plumbers
The most common infections contracted by sanitation workers include:
• Hepatitis: Although preventable through vaccine, hepatitis is still one of the most
common infections sewer workers develop. Research suggests that exposure to
sewage is linked to a higher risk of contracting hepatitis B.
• Leptospirosis: This disease affects people who come in contact with animals and
their waste. Urine from rodents and other animals in the area can contaminate the
sewers, putting workers at risk of developing leptospirosis.
• Helicobacter pylori: Bacterium Helicobacter pylroi is now considered an important
risk factor for gastric cancer and is considered a class I carcinogen by the
International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Biological Hazards
Employer Responsibilities Including Implementation of Control Measures
(1) Employers must have emergency treatment supplies and prepared medical aid staff as
required in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, Part 11, First Aid. A business must
give emergency treatment administrations, supplies, and hardware, and furnish a medical aid
stay with the material necessities of OHS enactment.
(2) Since smaller scale living beings are a characteristic piece of sewage, the risk can't be wiped
out. A site-explicit appraisal of the danger of laborer's presentation to the risks of sewage must
be finished. The OHS Code, Part 2, Hazard Assessment, necessitates that a risk appraisal is
finished before work starts at a work site or preceding the development of another worksite.
(3) Appropriate controls are expected to limit the danger of beginning including:
• Engineering controls, for example, ventilation
• Appropriate work practices and regulatory controls
• Ensuring that laborers and the board comprehend chances through training on risks, the
significance of following safe work rehearses and the significance of cleanliness measures
(4) Ensure laborers utilize proper PPE, for example, fluid repellant coveralls and gloves, boots,
goggles, respirators, and sprinkle confirmation eye/face shields. In the event that respirators
are required, an exhaustive program must incorporate respirator fit testing and a respirator
code of training.
(5) Establish a legitimate framework for procurement, assessment and upkeep of PPE.
(6) Ensure territories for capacity of perfect and tainted equipments and belongings are isolated
and separate from eating offices, and have offices promptly accessible for purification of
laborers.
(7) The business must create and execute arrangements and methodology for post-
presentation the executives of laborers presented to bio dangerous material as required in the
OHS Code, Part 35, Section 530.
Worker Education
Instruction about personal cleanliness and safe work practices is critical to limit contact with
sewage and the anticipate ailments. It is a primary data to be given to the agent and must
incorporate the accompanying:

Biological Hazards
(1) Avoid direct contact with sewage.
(2) Avoid aerosolizing sewage water or limiting presentation time in zones where this is
happening. Ensure ventilation frameworks are working appropriately when working around
zones where sewage might be aerosolized.
(3) Thoroughly purify every single uncovered damage with cleanser and water and keep them
secured with a wrap (ideally water-verification) while at work. Look for a doctor's
recommendation as quickly as time permits subsequent to enduring cuts or sensitive wounds.
(4) If an individual is experiencing a skin issue; he/she should see a doctor before working with
sewage.
(5) Avoid contacting the face, mouth, hands, eyes or nose with grimy hands or different things
and maintaining a strategic distance from nail-gnawing. Utilize a firm, lathery nailbrush to clean
under the nails.
(6) Thoroughly wash the hands and face with cleanser and water before eating, drinking or
smoking.
(7) Eat/smoke in assigned zones from sewage sullying. These territories must be kept free from
pollution by leaving any protective attire and boots in a different zone.
(8) Emphasize the prerequisite and significance of utilizing fitting protective garments at work
(coveralls) and individual defensive gear (boots, gloves, plastic face shields) and, where
required wearing respiratory protective device .
Pre-arranging, cautious regard for individual cleanliness and appropriate utilization of PPE can
incredibly decrease the related dangers of presentation to sewage.
Exercises:
1. What are the infections faced by sewage workers?
2. What is sewage?
3. Explain the training required for a sewage worker.

Biological Hazards
Element 6- Containment Levels
Learning Outcomes
• Explain the meaning of containment levels
• Give Control measures for containment levels
The concept of bio containment is related to laboratory bio safety and pertains
to microbiology laboratories in which the physical containment of pathogenic organisms or
agents (bacteria, viruses, and toxins) is required, usually by isolation in environmentally and
biologically secure cabinets or rooms, to prevent accidental infection of workers or release into
the surrounding community during scientific research.
There are mainly three containment levels which is as follows:

CL1 is fitting in optional instruction and undergrad showing research centers for work with well-
characterized and described strains of HG1bio agents, which are probably not going to cause
sickness in healthy people. On the off chance that work at this level (or at any regulation level)

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includes hereditary adjustment, at that point other administrative controls, notwithstanding

COSHH, will likewise apply. Poisonous and allergenic dangers ought to likewise be surveyed and
anticipated or controlled as suitable.
CL2 is the most regularly utilized regulation level and is reasonable for an expansive scope of
clinical, symptomatic and research work with bio agents whom, though equipped for causing
disease, just present a low-to-direct hazard to workers and are probably not going to spread to
the network, with viable treatment or prophylaxis being accessible. Instances of agents that
must be dealt with at CL2 incorporate regular clinical detaches, for example, Staphylococcus
aureus, human respiratory syncytial infection and Toxoplasma gondii.
CL3 research centers are the most elevated control labs in like manner use in the UK. The sort
of work completed at this level differs yet control estimates must give satisfactory assurance to
laborers and others from research facility work with biological agents which can cause extreme
ailment and represent a genuine danger to workers (due to their infectivity and additionally
course of transmission). These operators may likewise spread inside the network, yet powerful
treatment or prophylaxis is normally accessible. A case of such a specialist is Mycobacterium
tuberculosis.
Control Measures
When working with a biological agent in a specific HG, COSHH necessitates that the control
level chosen coordinates the HG of the operator as a base:
▪ Minimum CL2 for exercises which include working with a HG2 agent;
▪ Minimum CL3 for exercises which include working with a HG3 agent;
▪ CL2 must be utilized where there are any vulnerabilities about the nearness of HG2, HG3 or
HG4 agents if the goal isn't to intentionally grow and think such operators;
▪ CL3 or CL4 must be utilized, where proper, if the business knows or suspects that such a
regulation level is fundamental regardless of whether there is no goal to purposely spread and
focus biological agents; and
▪ CL3 must be utilized when it has not been conceivable to complete a definitive hazard
appraisal however where there is worry that the action may include a genuine hazard for
workers.
At any control level, the hazard from work with biological agent is subject to the HG which
thinks about the seriousness and methods for contamination, the amount of agents being dealt
with and the nature and area of the work. This must be tended to in the neighborhood hazard

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appraisal. On the off chance that primary, explicit control measures, notwithstanding the base
required under COSHH, ought to be set up to ensure that the work is completed securely.
The prerequisites of CL3 are extensively like CL2 research centers; there are anyway some
significant physical contrasts, because of the more dangerous biological agents being dealt with
and the insurance of individuals outside the office. This incorporates lab get to, the standard of
the executives, the requirement for uncommon preparing and the level of supervision.
In spite of the fact that COSHH sets out the base necessities for each degree of control, the
Approved List groups certain biological agents(indicated by bullet) that are not regularly
irresistible to people through the airborne course (eg blood borne infections) and gives rules on
conditions
Where certain measures may not be expected, subject to the result of a nearby hazard
evaluation. This doesn't suggest that the work can be completed at CL2 however just enables
certain physical regulation necessities to be changed or abstained from.
When doing an appropriate and adequate appraisal, businesses must illuminate representatives
how the work will be completed securely. A nearby code of training can set out how and where
the work ought to be completed and must think about the following;
▪ Location of the work – where the appraisal shows that the physical measures typically
required at CL3 are not important to control the hazard, it might be conceivable to lead some
work (eg analytic testing of examples containing non-airborne HG3 natural specialists) in an
isolated territory of a CL2 research center, if it tends to be overseen as a CL3 office with all the
applicable extra controls. Work ought to be attempted at an alternate time from other CL2
work in a common research center.
▪ Information, guidance and preparing – this must be of the standard required for CL3 work.
Where the work is embraced in an isolated CL2 research center, consider if there are any
preparation ramifications for those not straightforwardly engaged with the work, eg on the off
chance that they have been educated about the idea of the work and on the off chance that
they comprehend what to do in case of a crisis, eg a spillage.
▪ Supervision – consider if the work is properly regulated both all through ordinary working
hours.
▪ Use of committed mechanism – this is required, so far as is sensibly practicable at CL3 yet the
utilization of devoted hardware in a CL2 lab will decrease the potential for presentation for
those not working with the HG3 agents.

Biological Hazards
▪ List of uncovered specialists – introduction records of those purposely working with HG3
operators must be kept. In the event that the work happens in a CL2 research facility utilized by
others, the hazard evaluation ought to recognize how and on the off chance that others could
be presented to the HG3 operators, and assuming this is the case, their presentation records
should likewise be kept.
Exercises:
1. Briefly explain containment levels.
2. What are the control measures for containment levels?
Transport of infectious substances

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to;
• Identify which are the infectious materials that can transfer inside the same site and
also between the same building
• Explain the offsite infectious materials and based on hazard how the grouping is made
for vehicle

Biological Hazards
‘On-site’ transport
1. The transfer of irresistible substances (and materials containing them) is significant for most
routine lab-based exercises in both research and demonstrative settings. The procedure, be
that as it may, presents a danger of presentation and disease in case of mis-distinguishing
proof, unseemly access, spillage or inadvertent discharge during travel.
2. Transfer of irresistible material in a research facility, eg from an MSC to a hatchery, ought to

be done utilizing great lab rehearses in order to limit the potential for spillage. The safety
measures applied ought to be proportionate to the innate peril related with the irresistible
material, eg screw-topped cylinders are prescribed in inclination to snap-top covers. Profound
sided and airtight plate or boxes can be utilized to move higher hazard materials and where
fitting these might be safely lidded to limit the potential for the spill and additionally spillage.
They ought to be made of smooth impenetrable material, for example, plastic or metal, which
can be successfully cleaned and purified.
3. On the off chance that trolleys are utilized for the exchange of materials, they ought to be
stacked with the goal that examples can't tumble off. Spill packs ought to be promptly
accessible in case of spillage during the vehicle, and proper individuals prepared in their
utilization.
4. Notwithstanding the above control measures, a move of irresistible materials starting with
one research center then onto the next inside a similar structure ought to be arranged, sorted
out and brought out to limit travel through shared zones and open spaces.
5. Transport compartments ought to be appropriately marked to recognize their substance, and

surface-cleaned before leaving the regulation zone.
6. It is suggested that huge or inconvenient compartments are shipped by trolley which ought
to contain some type of gatekeeper rail or raised sides to verify the heap during travel.
• Transport between buildings on the same site

Move of irresistible materials between structures on a similar site will require adequate control
measures to limit the danger of spillage in travel and ensure that those in the vehicle chain
know about the risk exhibited by the substance. Thought ought to be given to reasonable
bundling (eg triple bundling, utilization of spongy material) and marking, controlled by the
hazard appraisal to ensure the protected exchange of the substance.
Spill packs ought to be promptly accessible for use in case of a spillage during vehicle, and
suitable individuals prepared in their utilization.

Biological Hazards
Prior to move, the beneficiary should be told ahead of time.
• Use of pneumatic air cylinder transport frameworks
Pneumatic air cylinder transport frameworks can give a protected and effective approach to
move examples around a medical clinic site. As a major aspect of the neighborhood hazard
appraisal, safe working methodology ought to be utilized for sending examples by pneumatic
air tube frameworks to ensure its appropriate use at all dispatch and gathering focuses. This
appraisal ought to be founded on building up that:
▪ the example is reasonable for dispatch by this technique;
▪ the structure of the example transporter is appropriate; and
▪ Staffs are appropriately educated and prepared, utilizing legitimate working and control
methodology.
Numerous sorts of transporter are accessible and their appropriateness must be surveyed.
Compartments ought to be made of materials that can be viably cleaned.
Airtight bearers ought to be utilized alongside permeable pressing material to contain the
material should spillage happen.
Harmed or spilling example compartments ought to be opened in a MSC or other appropriate

methods for essential regulation to contain any vaporized that might be created. Gloves ought
to likewise be worn and care taken to abstain from taking care of any sharp material.
‘Off-site’ transport of infectious substances

• Domestic and universal vehicle enactment and extent of utilization
Where irresistible materials are shipped past the office limit (eg between locales of a similar
association, or starting with one association then onto the next in a similar nation or
universally), those in danger incorporate not just the those legitimately engaged with the
vehicle chain yet additionally the overall population. The law necessitates that irresistible
substances are bundled, marked, and moved securely.
The global guidelines administering the vehicle of perilous products (counting irresistible
substances) depend on United Nations (UN) Modal Regulations delivered by the UN Committee
of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These are reflected in law through
progressively explicit universally concurred 'Modular' guidelines applying to ship by street, rail,
air and ocean; some of which are executed in the UK through national enactment

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The fundamental UK enactment for the global and local vehicle of irresistible substances by
street, rail and air are recorded here.
▪ Road and rail: The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment
Regulations 2009 (CDGR; as corrected) apply both to global and household transport in the UK.
▪ Air: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe
Transport of Dangerous Goods via Air apply to air transport both inside the UK and globally.
The enactment isn't restricted to the vehicle of irresistible substances. It applies to every
perilous great, ordered inside the UN Modal Regulations into nine separate classes and
mirroring their unsafe properties. Irresistible substances are assigned to UN Class 6.2 and
incorporate pathogenic microbes, infections, parasites, growths and whatever other organic
specialists that may cause sickness in people or creatures. It additionally stretches out to
organic waste and (with certain restricted special cases) clinical materials where practical
pathogens are known (or sensibly expected) to be available.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is the Competent Authority for the carriage of irresistible
substances by street, rail, air and ocean. DfT is bolstered by HSE and by the Civil Aviation
Authority. Inside DfT, duty tumbles to the Dangerous Goods Division and the Maritime and
Coastguard Agency. HSE have essential obligation to implement CDGR. These guidelines
additionally permit reasonably named police or Vehicle and Operator Services Agency officials
to authorize the guidelines applying to ship by street and rail.
Grouping of infectious substances for vehicle transportation with the help of symbol
Grouping of infectious substances for vehicle is hazard based; mirroring the potential for
damage from introduction should the substance be discharged from its bundling in travel or on
receipt. Its main roles are:
Human or creature examples for which there is negligible probability of irresistible substances
being available are absolved, given that the example is moved in bundling which will anticipate
any spillage and which is set apart with the words 'Excluded human example' or 'Excluded
creature example', as fitting.

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Flow chart for the classification of infectious substances for transport

Biological Hazards
Exercises:
1. Explain on-site and off-site transport of infectious substances
Element 7- Dealing with accidents due to spillage of biological agents
Learning Outcomes

Biological Hazards

• Explain the accidents that can happen in the laboratory while using bio agents
• Explain the preventive measures for such accidents
• List out procedure to overcome spill of bio materials accidents
The sorts of accidents that can happen in the research center range from little scale to a large
accident. A few accidents can possibly produce huge mist concentrates, e.g. a spillage brought
about by dropping material from a height.
Measures to avert accidents
Plan your work and adhere to directions. In the event that you are uncertain how to make a
specific showing asks your manager, research center superior or instructor. What's more, it
would be ideal if you observe these guidelines:
• Request data and preparing when uncertain how to deal with perilous synthetic
substances or techniques
• Contact your administrator, instructor or wellbeing official on the off chance that you
have any questions absolutely no pipetting by mouth
• Use lab hardware for its structured reason as it were
• Never leave an open fire unattended
• Handle synthetic substances cautiously
• Use cautioning signs to assign specific dangers
• Confine long hair and free attire
• Use proper individual defensive hardware consistently
• Wear goggles or security glasses consistently
• Be mindful of cleanliness
Spill Procedure of Infectious Agents
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Cleanup of Small Blood Spills

Biological Hazards
Pursue this methodology for tidying up spills of blood and blood items. Similar methodology
can be utilized for tidying up other body liquids.
Stage 1: Required Personal Protective Equipment
Preceding starting the tidy up, wear a couple of elastic, latex, PVC or comparable sort gloves
and wellbeing goggles.
Stage 2: Spill Kit Equipment
The accompanying things might be required in taking care of the spill:
• 10% fade arrangement (or Lysol, virex or other EPA reg. Tuberculocidal)
• Gloves
• Biological waste pack
• Biohazard marks
• Leak-verification sharps holders if sharps are included (needles, broken glass)
• Brush and dustpan, or tongs or forceps for getting sharps
• Disinfectant wipes
Stage 3: Spill Decontamination Procedures
Spread the spill zone with a paper towel and after that pour naturally blended 10 percent dye
and water arrangement. Enable answer for drench into the debased material. Work from the
outside edges of the spill internal when applying the sanitizer arrangement. Any glass, needles,
or other sharp questions that may cut the skin won't be gotten by hand. Just mechanical
methods, for example, a brush and dustpan, tongs, or forceps are permitted. Wipe up dyed
material with paper towels or permeable cushions. It might be important to utilize a scour
brush to evacuate the material on the off chance that it affected a hard permeable surface, for
example, concrete. On the off chance that non-permeable surfaces, for example, a rug, have
been defiled, an outside seller might be expected to clean the region.
Stage 4: Disposal
Spot blanched material, gloves, and other expendable materials into a marked biohazard sack
and spot into either another named biohazard pack or holder.

Biological Hazards
Stage 5: Decontaminate RE-Useable Equipment
Sterilize with the detergent arrangement all possibly tainted re-useable devices or defensive
gear utilized in the cleanup. This incorporates dustpans, sweepers, forceps, containers, and so
on. Anything that can't be viably cleaned (fade arrangement must have the option to reach all
surfaces) must be arranged as waste. After the debased region has been cleaned, utilize new
water to expel dye buildup from all surfaces.
Stage 6: Wash Your Hands If hand-washing offices are not accessible at the place of work; utilize
disinfectant wipes and after that wash your hands at the earliest opportunity.
Biohazard Exposure
On the off chance that you trust you were uncovered (skin cut or sprinkle to eyes or mucous
layers) to biohazard material that had not been disinfected with the sanitizer arrangement,
pursue these prescribed advances:
Skin presentation: Vigorously wash influenced skin with a lot of cleanser and water while taking
off defiled garments and shoes.
Eye presentation: Wash eyes for in any event 10 minutes with overflowing measures of water,
lifting the upper and lower eyelids at times.
Steps to pursue when natural spills in research centers:
• Reporting the situation
• Protective garments
• Cleaning; incorporates spot cleaning, cleaning of bacterial or viral culture materials, little
pills (up to 10 cm), enormous spills (more than 10 cm), cover spills, and permeable surfaces.
• Spill packs
• Disinfectants
• Removal of gloves
• Disposal of waste materials.
Exercises:
1. What are the preventive measures to overcome spillage of biological agents?

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2. Explain the spill procedure of infectious agent.
Element 8- Biohazardous Waste
Learning Outcome
• Meaning of ‘Biohazardous Waste’
• Classifications of biohazardous waste and accumulation/ disposal procedures
Biohazardous wastes are those wastes that potentially contain biological agents that may pose
risk to the population if released in the environment. These agents may include bacteria,

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parasites, mold, viruses and other microorganisms that can harm health or lead to mortality in
humans.
Biohazardous waste can be generated in many places inside your facility:

• In pathology laboratories that analyze human or animal cultures for presence of
pathogens.
• In research labs that develop vaccines or study infection agents.
• In operating/autopsy rooms where infected tissues are removed.
• In patient rooms during patient care.
The Four Main Types of Biohazardous Waste and disposal procedures are as follows:
• Solid Biohazardous Waste
Strong biohazardous waste comprises of non-sharp things that interacted with human or
creature example materials, for example, tissues or body liquids. These things incorporate,
however are not restricted to petri dishes, pipettes, individual defensive gear, towels and
materials and any kind of dishes and holders. Note that sharps (surgical tools, needles, and so

Biological Hazards
forth.) are overseen independently as are effectively flimsy things like blood vials that could
turn out to be sharp.
Accumulations and Disposal Procedures
This sort of waste ought to be gathered in an assigned compartment with a cover that is fixed
with an autocalve pack and set apart with the biohazard image. Strong biohazardous waste can
be purified nearby through autoclaving and arranged as standard medicinal waste through an
affirmed landfill.
• Liquid Biohazardous Waste
Fluid biohazardous waste comprises for the most part of blood and body liquids that could be
tainted with irresistible operators. On the off chance that the measure of fluid is under 25 mls,
it can, by and large, be considered and discarded as strong biohazardous squander.
Gathering and Disposal Procedures
All fluid biohazardous waste must be gathered in sealed holders that are verified against spilling
and are named as a biohazard. As an extra safety effort, the essential fluid compartments can
be set in an auxiliary vessel, for example, a plate or a container. Most fluid waste can be
discarded by either compound treatment with blanch or autoclaving on the fluid cycle.
• Sharp Biohazardous Waste
Sharp biohazardous squander (or just sharps) is any therapeutic gadget that is sharp enough to
cut skin (also a plastic pack) and that had been in contact with possibly irresistible organic
material. Sharps incorporate things like surgical tools, needles, magnifying instrument slides,
saw edges, broken glass vials, and so on.
Accumulation and Disposal Procedures
There are holders explicitly assigned for gathering sharps. They are intended to be impervious
to cut, watertight and safe to deal with. Despite the biohazard status, all sharps ought to be
gathered in such compartments, however biohazardous sharps will be marked with a relating
image. Sullied sharps are grabbed and discarded by your neighborhood medicinal waste
temporary worker. Plastic serological pipettes, while not sharp enough to cut skin, can
experience plastic packs, which is the reason they ought to be overseen either as sharps or
generally isolated from the remainder of the strong biohazardous squander.
• Pathological Biohazardous Waste

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Neurotic waste incorporates evacuated human (or creature) organs, tissues and body parts that
have been presented to irresistible specialists.
Accumulation and Disposal Procedures
To counteract potential releases, obsessive waste ought to be twofold packed away and put
away like fluid waste in optional compartments. It is ordinarily discarded through burning or
concoction treatment, yet not autoclaving.
Exercises:
1. Define bio hazardous waste and explain types of bio hazardous waste.
Element 9- Control measures of biological hazard by occupation

House keeping
Potential Hazards Engineering Administrative controls PPE
controls
Exposure to blood borne Engineered needle Strict observation of Gloves, face
pathogens through needle stick prevention infection prevention protection
stick injuries, devices; and control practices, (appropriate for
contaminated items and availability of including proper level
surfaces sharps containers needle disposal of infectious
for by all workers on agent)
disposal; unit; safe handling
availability of waste bags;
of appropriate worker training in
biological waste infection prevention
containers; and control
vaccines procedures related
to housekeeping;
appropriate use
of disinfectants;
immunization
program
Exposure to airborne Communication Compliance with all PPE based on the
biological agents through of infection status; infection prevention risk assessment
contact with isolation; vaccines and control may include
Secretions from infectious practices; worker gloves,
patients (coughing, sneezing, immunization; respiratory
etc.) worker education protection, eye
or air contaminated with and
infectious biological agents face protection
and

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other protective
clothing
Exposure to droplets Communication Good housekeeping Appropriate PPE
containing infectious of infection status; practices; compliance should be chosen
biological agents through isolation; vaccines with all infection based on risk
contact with patient prevention and assessment and
secretions or contaminated control practices; may include
environmental immunization gloves,
surfaces or equipment program; worker protective
education clothing,
eye and face
protection
Exposure to environmental Maintenance of Infection prevention Use of proper PPE
biological contaminants ventilation and control practices when cleaning
from ventilation systems, systems; related to building contaminated
water or food maintenance and environmental
early spill clean- food preparation; surfaces,
up; preventive protocols for including
construction gloves,
maintenance of and renovation respiratory
ventilation projects that reduce protection, and
systems contamination; eye
and water supply worker education protection
systems with
regular
testing to ensure
proper
functioning;
early detection
and
remediation of
mould
Laboratory
Potential Hazards Engineering control Administrative PPE
control
Exposure to bloodborne Engineered needle Compliance with Gloves, protective
pathogens through needle stick all infection clothing, eye and
stick, glass slides, tubes, prevention devices; prevention and face protection
pipettes or other sharps elimination of use of control practices;
injuries any unnecessary immunization
sharps avoid using program; worker
glass products education

Biological Hazards
whenever possible;
availability of sharps
containers for disposal;
vaccines
Exposure to bloodborne Vaccines Compliance with Gloves, protective
pathogens through all infection clothing, eye and
contaminated items and prevention and face protection
surfaces, exposure control
to mucous membranes practices;
immunization
program; worker
education
Exposure to airborne Early detection of Compliance with PPE based on the
biological agents through infection all infection risk assessment
contact with secretions from status; isolation prevention and may include
infectious patients control gloves,
(coughing, sneezing, etc.) or practices; respiratory
air contaminated with immunization protection,
infectious program; worker eye and face
biological agents education protection
and other
protective
clothing
Exposure to droplets Use of biosafety Good PPE based on the
containing infectious cabinets housekeeping risk assessment
biological agents through for handling patient practices; may include
contact with patient samples; compliance with gloves,
secretions or contaminated early detection of all infection respiratory
environmental surfaces or infection status prevention and protection,
equipment control practices; eye and face
spill response protection
procedures; and other
worker education protective
clothing
Exposure to biological Automated systems Training in and PPE based on the
hazards through specimen where enforcement risk assessment
accessioning and laboratory possible; aerosol of safe work may
testing procedures that reduction practices; include protective
generate aerosols equipment, including designation of clothing, gloves,
use of clean/ respiratory
centrifuge carriers with contaminated protection,
lids, use of biosafety areas or eye and face

Biological Hazards
cabinets; vaccines equipment; protection

immunization
program
Exposure to concentrated Use of biosafety Aerosol reduction PPE based on the
doses cabinets; procedures; risk assessment
of biological agents appropriate training in and may
containment level enforcement of include protective
facilities; aerosol safe work clothing, gloves,
reduction equipment; practices; respiratory
vaccines Immunization protection,
program; eye and face
worker education protection
Wooden industry
Potential Hazards Engineering controls Administrative PPE

controls
Exposure to machine hazards Involve physically Involve Encompasses a
changing the machine removing your wide variety of
or work environment employees from devices and
to prevent employee exposure to the garments
exposure to the potential hazarddesigned to
potential hazard. by changing the protect workers
Examples are using a way they do from injuries.
guard on a machine, or their jobs. Examples include
using local exhaust respirators,
ventilation to remove goggles, safety
dust and other shields, hard hats,
contaminants at the gloves, earmuffs,
source and earplugs.
Exposure to wood dust has The primary method of Ensure that you Gloves, protective
long been associated with a controlling wood dust use equipment clothing, eye and
variety of adverse health is with local exhaust with a hazard face protection
effects, including dermatitis, ventilation (LEV), which classification
allergic respiratory effects, removes dust at or appropriately
mucosal and non allergic near its source. The rated for your
respiratory effects, and local exhaust systems work
cancer. should have an environment.
efficient air cleaning
device.

Biological Hazards
Both hand-held and Vibration isolators or Maintain Gloves, protective

stationary tools that transmit damping techniques on machines in clothing, eye and
vibration through a work equipment offer the proper working face protection
piece can cause vibration most effective order. Arrange
"white fingers" or hand-arm protection. The work tasks so
vibration syndrome (HAVS). frequency emitted by that vibrating
the machine, the noise and non
reduction level desired, vibrating tools
and the weight and can be used
size of the machine are alternately.
factors to consider.
Mining Industry

control
Exposure to airborne hazards in Providing Compliance with PPE based on the
the mining industry include protection like cabs all risk assessment
several types of particulates, with filtered and infection may
naturally occurring gases, engine possibly air- prevention include gloves,
exhaust and some chemical conditioned air and control eye
vapours; supply for drill practices; protection and
operators, immunization other
bulldozer operators program; worker protective
and vehicle drivers. education clothing
Exposure to ionizing radiation. Early detection of Arrange work
infection status; schedules to
isolation; vaccines reduce the time
each worker
spends in a noisy
area
Exposure to Respirable coal Can be reduced by Training to Use of Face
mine dust hazard in changes in coal workers shield, goggles,
underground and surface coal cutting techniques protective
mines and in coal-processing and its dispersion clothing and eye
facilities can be controlled protection
with the use of
adequate
ventilation and
water sprays.

Biological Hazards
Construction Industry

control
Exposure to air borne materials• Early detection Compliance with PPE based on the
may cause pulmonary disease, • of infection status; all infection risk assessment
• vaccines
asthma, silicosis and other lung prevention and may
diseases control practices; include gloves,
immunization eye
program; worker and face
education protection,
respirators,
protective
clothing
Exposure to asbestos • Risk assessment Develop specific Gloves,
• prior to visit. work procedures; protective
educate clothing, eye and
employees face protection
in the specific
hazard
• Establish inspection
Exposure to blue finger which is protocols for Gloves,
a draining disease of the blood schedules and construction protective
vessels, nerves and joints. preventive and renovation clothing, eye and
maintenance to projects that face protection
ensure that reduce
machinery is always contamination;
in working order worker education
•

Biological Hazards
Element 10- The Biological Agents Regulations
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 572 of
2013) set down the minimum requirements for the protection of workers from the health risks
associated with biological agents in the workplace.
The Regulations transpose the European directive 2000/54/EC. They define biological agents
and apply to activities in which workers are or potentially are exposed to biological agents as a
result of their work. These regulations also apply to cell cultures and to Genetically Modified
Micro-organisms (GMM's). The Regulations are supported by a Code of Practice which contains
a non-exhaustive list of biological agents and their classification, together with indications
concerning containment measures and levels.
Employers must identify the biological agent to which workers are, or may be, exposed. They
must assess the risk, making use of the list of biological agents, their classification, containment
levels and measures provided for in the relevant Code of Practice, and proceed in accordance
with the remaining Regulations where appropriate. These Regulations permit the Health and
Safety Authority to prohibit a specific use of a Biological Agent or request that additional
control measures are put in place.
An associated Code of Practice contains the approved list of biological agents, their
classifications, minimum containment measures and dispensation from minimum containment
measures, where appropriate.

Biological Hazards
Other Relevant Legislation

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, (S.I. No. 299 of
2007). Some biological agents have the potential to affect certain sensitive risk groups and
there is a specific legal obligation under Part 6 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work
(General Application) Regulations, 2007, (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) for employers to assess the
exposure of children and young persons and pregnant, post natal and breast feeding employees
to biological agents. For example, certain biological agents such as toxoplasma and rubella virus
can cause foetal harm and as a result the employer must assess exposure of pregnant
employees to these viruses.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (No. 10 of 2005). Under this legislation there are
specific requirements in relation to substances. A substance is defined under the Act as
including any natural or artificial substance, preparation or agent in solid or liquid form or in the
form of a gas or vapor or as a micro-organism (i.e. a biological agent).
Workplace Vaccinations
Occupational immunizations are important safety concerns where staffs are likely to be
exposed to particular diseases. Exposure is key to immunity, and when the body comes across a
new disease causing agent chances are that an infection can take place. Where potentially
harmful diseases are involved, like tuberculosis for example, it is extremely important to
immunize employees and prevent an outbreak that spread amongst staff.
These are given because of the likelihood of transmission in certain workplaces. The type of
occupations to which this applies include administrative or support staff handling certain
biological samples, hygienists, dentists, cleaning staff, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors,
dentists and many others.
Vaccination programmes
Antibodies are once in a while given as coincidental dosages that are sufficient to furnish an
individual with invulnerability against a condition. Anyway different inoculations require a few
portions over some stretch of time before they give adequate security. In the UK the NHS gives
inoculations through a program or vaccination timetable which means to guarantee that all of a
specific age inside a specific populace is furnished with an immunization. These projects are a
significant piece of how immunizations fill in as they are formulated to invigorate the
invulnerable framework to the point where it can deal with any introduction to an ailment all
alone.
As an immunization program is actualized the frequencies of contamination start to drop, and

once enough individuals have picked up the insurance antibodies bring to the table, the entire
populace starts to receive the rewards as transmission of the sickness causing infection or

Biological Hazards
microorganisms is greatly decreased. Now a populace starts to exhibit crowd insusceptibility,

which implies that ailment is progressively hard to move between individuals who are
inoculated and the individuals who are most certainly not.
Group insusceptibility is a significant system by which individuals who can't have an

immunization can increase some proportion of security against risky pathogens. Individuals
who are invulnerable bargained (have debilitated characteristic resistances) or are accepting
chemotherapy for malignant growth can't securely get immunization, thus extraordinarily
advantage from crowd insusceptibility.

Biological Hazards
Element 11- Risk assessment involving Biological Agents: Factors to consider
•Substitutes for Pathogens

•Antibiotic Resistance
biological •Virulence
Agent FactorsCommunicability
•Lethality
•Facilty Design
•social, political, ethical

perceptions
•weather conditions
environment
•medical support
•population destiny
•reservoirs
•perceptions
•use of PPE
host •medical surveilance
•training
•management systems
•health status
References
www.wisegeek.com

Biological Hazards
www.teoma.co.uk
infolific.com
www.iloencyclopaedia.org
www.slideshare.net
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
safetylineloneworker.com
www.cfs.gov.hk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-FL6NFXGQtQNzIrdQ0_E5PmtxkemcqOM/view?usp=drivesdk
www.aproplan.com
www.labour.gov.on.ca
www.hse.gov.uk
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EAFLBKR6f95Xcy2MC1JzrkvOfxn8UZvTKIU3SHiIo04/edit
?usp=drive_web&ouid=105955820826904948114
research.usu.edu
www.bwaste.com
en.wikipedia.org

Chapter 5 - Biological Hazards

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Chapter 5 - Biological Hazards

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Biological Hazards

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At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

Meaning of Biological Hazard

A biological hazard, also known as a biohazard, is an organism or a by-product from an

1.1 Biological Agent

The ILO defines a biological agent as:

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1.1.1Types of Biological Agent

Four principal types of biological agent are:

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1.1.2 Sources of Biological Agent

1.1.3 Properties of Biological Agents

The national legislation regularly characterizes biological hazard as a sort of 'hazardous

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1.1.4 Difference between chemical agent and biological agent

1. What is the meaning of biological hazard?

2. Explain the sources and properties of biological agent

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3. Distinguish between chemical agent and biological agent

Element 2- Classification of biological agents into Hazard Groups (HG)

2.1 Biological Hazard Levels

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2.2 Classification of biological hazards agents for transportation

• Category A, UN 2814 – Infectious substance, affecting humans: An infectious substance

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Element 3- How do biohazards enter the body?

3.1 Routes of Entry

Biological Hazards enter the body through:

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- Inhalation through breathing

3.2 How biological hazards are spread?

Biohazard Disease Spread Precaution / control

Bacteria Pink eye Human to human Do not share eye

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Virus Hepatitis A Human to human Do not ingest

Virus Hepatitis B Human to human Immunization, avoid

Virus Hepatitis C Human to human Avoid direct contact

Virus Measles Human to human Immunization, avoid

3.3 Infections at workplace

Disease Cause Transmission Prevention

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with sick people

Legionnaires' Legionella By inhaling microscopic Water should be

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1. What are the routes of entry for biological hazards?

Element 4- Preventive and control measures

• Explain Preventive and control measures which includes engineering control,

• Describe Importance of training procedure to the employees while working

4.1 Control exposure to biological hazards

4.1.1 Engineering Controls

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4.1.2 Administrative Controls

Training of workers is the most important way of administrative controls

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4.1.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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