Biological Safety

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation and training, for research at UC Berkeley that involves the use of recombinant DNA, biohazardous materials and biological toxins.

New labs

How do I set up a new lab?

Note: Your department's Department Safety Coordinator (DSC) may have their own practices and guidelines. It is strongly suggested that you contact them for guidance. Not sure who your DSC is? Use the "Who's your DSC?" tool to find out!

Getting Started Email labsafety@berkeley.edu to have your new lab set up in our database. If you are a new Principal Investigator,...

Recombinant Nucleic Acid Template(s)

2024

Complete this attachment and upload it into your BUA if your research includes:

Recombinant nucleic acid experiments involving cells, plants, animals, microorganisms, and viruses.

Transgenic organisms, viruses, or cells grown, used, or stored on campus.

Common Biosafety Practices

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2024

To address general biosafety and standard practices for BSL1, BSL2, and/or ABSL1 work, please download and use the following document:

Common Biosafety Practices Provides sample language for BSL1, BSL2, and/or ABSL1 research procedures Customize the text to fit your own research practices and paste the relevant language into the "Experimental Procedures and Risk Assessment" section of your BUA.

Jim Baugh

Campus Biosafety Officer
Biosafety
BUA
Controlled Substances
Lab Safety

Lab Decommissioning

Lab Equipment Decontamination Protocol Departments must identify equipment desired for release by creating a list for Equipment Management (contact: betshelp@berkeley.edu). Department equipment listings must provide a BETS #, Serial #, building and room number of the equipment intended for release. Departments must also include: equipment history, associated chemical use, biological use or radiation use authorizations - where applicable. Verify and update equipment building, room and description to...

Lentivirus Exposure Control Plan with Assessment Questionnaire - Non UHS

2024

Complete this attachment and upload it into your BUA if your research includes:

Lentiviral vector use by entities that do not access University Health Services.

Lentivirus Exposure Control Plan with Assessment Questionnaire - UHS

2024

Complete this attachment and upload it into your BUA if your research includes:

Lentiviral vector use by labs with access to University Health Services.

Attestation, Vivarium Safety Awareness

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2023
In accordance with UC Berkeley’s Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) and the Office of Laboratory Animal Care (OLAC)’s guidelines and procedures, it is the responsibility of ALL University workers and contractors to ensure the health and well-being of animals used in research and teaching. This attestation form confirms animal facility workers and contractors have reviewed the information...

Vivarium Safety, Fact Sheet

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2023

Guidance for Animal Facility Workers & Contractors

In accordance with UC Berkeley’s Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) and the Office of Laboratory Animal Care (OLAC)’s guidelines and procedures, it is the responsibility of ALL University workers and contractors to ensure the health and well-being of animals used in research and...

What considerations do I need to make when shipping a biological substance?

Biological and Infectious Substances regulated for transportation include those identified as Infectious Substances-Category A, Biological Substances-Category B, Genetically modified organisms or micro-organisms. Exempt Human specimen and Exempt Animal specimen, although exempt per the regulations, require minimum packaging and markings when transported by air.

Infectious Substance (Division 6.2)

A material known or reasonably expected to contain a pathogen. A pathogen is a micro- organism (including bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, parasites, fungi) or other agent,...