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.

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

Biosafety Comprehensive Training Documentation

2023

Attentation of biosafety training and requirements

Recombinant DNA Training for Research Group Members Template

2023

Principal Investigators (PIs) whose research involves recombinant DNA are required by NIH to provide their research group members training on lab-specific hazards and emergency procedures. The UC Berkeley Biosafety Program (bso@berkeley.edu) has prepared this PowerPoint presentation template to assist PIs in meeting this requirement.

Biological Materials Training for Research Group Members Template

2023

Principal Investigators (PIs) who have a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) are required by UC Berkeley’s Committee for Laboratory and Environmental Biosafety (CLEB) to provide their research group members training on lab-specific hazards and emergency procedures. The UC Berkeley Biosafety Program (bso@berkeley.edu) has prepared this PowerPoint presentation template to assist PIs in meeting this requirement.

CDPH Compliant Medical Waste Practices

2022

Labs At Berkeley (L@B)

Labs At Berkeley (L@B) is a web application, created by Berkeley EH&S, that allows any campus laboratory member to view and edit information about researchers in their lab.

Getting started with L@B

Log into L@B using your CalNet ID and you will see your lab’s roster. If you belong to more than one lab, select the name of the lab you wish to view or update from the pull-down list in the upper left corner of the page. To add or remove members,...