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.

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,...

Biological Use Authorization Application

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2022
Biological Use Authorization (BUA) Application Form

Principal Investigators (PIs) will need to submit a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) if working with biological agents including:

recombinant DNA synthetic nucleic acids WHO Risk Group 2 or higher pathogens biological toxins material of human or non-human primate origin, including cell lines

To determine if the agent you plan to work with is considered Risk Group 2 or higher, please reference the...

Olga Draper

Associate Biosafety Officer
Biosafety
BUA
Lab Safety

General Autoclave Safety

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2023

Autoclaves are used for steam sterilization – a process achieved by using superheated steam to kill microorganisms and spores. Autoclaves are used to decontaminate certain biological waste and sterilize lab materials.

Needles and Sharps: Safe Handling, Injury Response and Disposal

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2020

A sharp is any device with corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing. Sharps include,
but are not limited to, the following:

Needles Needles with syringes and attached tubing Blades (razors, scalpels and X-acto®) Glass pasteur pipettes Broken glass, glass slides, and coverslips