Biological

The Biosafety Program at George Mason University protects students, staff, the community and the environment from risks associated with biohazardous material through the use of risk assessment-based training, hazard communication, work practices, and safety controls. Biohazardous material refers to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms by causing disease or other adverse health effects or that have the potential to impact the environment or agriculture. Laboratories conducting activities with biohazardous material must:

  1. Understand their roles and responsibilities in the laboratory;
  2. Understand the specific risks associated with the biohazardous material they are using;
  3. Understand the necessary controls and restrictions for the material;
  4. Register the work with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC);
  5. Understand the dual use potential of activities and register with the Institutional Review Board (IRE), as appropriate;
  6. Maintain an accurate biological inventory of infectious agents in their possession; and
  7. Develop and follow standard operating procedures for use of materials.

 

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