Biological Safety

Merja Karwoski
Safety Specialist (Biological)
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Work with hazardous biological agents in research laboratories has expanded as new infectious agents and diseases have emerged. It is crucial to provide safe methods, facilities and equipment for managing infectious materials in the microbiological and biomedical laboratories where they are being handled or maintained. The risk assessment of the work to be done with a specific biohazard helps to determine the appropriate combination of all above mentioned elements to reduce or eliminate exposure of the laboratory staff, the community, and the environment to potentially harmful biological agents.

Training is a key requisite to guarantee the fundamental objective of biological safety programs to provide a safe and healthy environment for the campus community. EH&S at UT Arlington offers training in general laboratory safety and in bloodborne pathogens and gives support in the effort to adequately protect UT Arlington employees from occupational exposure and to achieve regulatory compliance with the Texas Department of State Health Services regulations.

EH&S biological safety program also includes disposal of microbiological, pathological, animal, blood/blood product waste and sharps.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Police: 817-272-3003
Environmental Health & Safety: 817-272-2185
Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222