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Human cells, blood, body fluids, and tissue are considered to be potentially infectious human pathogens.  All projects involving potentially infectious or pathogenic material, regardless of funding, must be registered with the Environmental Health & Safety Office (EH&S) prior to initiation of work.

Work involving human cells, blood, body fluids, or tissue must be conducted at a minimum biocontainment level of Biosafety Level 2 and must be registered with the Environmental Health & Safety Office (EH&S) prior to initiation of work.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC’s) Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 5th edition (the “BMBL”) categorizes biological agents/material into containment levels referred to as Biosafety Level 1, 2, 3, or 4.  These classifications are based on infectivity, severity of disease, transmissibility, and the nature of the work being conducted.

BMBL’s Agent Summary Statements:
Human Cells, Tissues, Blood, Body Fluid

On December 6, 1991, the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated the final rule (29CFR1910.1030) for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The rule, commonly referred to as the bloodborne pathogen standard, was designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other bloodborne pathogens.  The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) adopted the OSHA standard for occupational exposure of governmental employees to minimize the risk of bloodborne pathogens.  In accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the University has developed the UT Arlington Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens.

Additionally, the University of Texas at Arlington follows the biological safety guidance found in Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, CDC/NIH, Fifth Edition, February 2007.  Safety procedures for the University are outlined in UT Arlington’s Biohazard Recognition and Control Manual.

To register use of potentially infectious/pathogenic material, please complete the Human Pathogen Registration Document (HPRD) and submit to EH&S:

E-mail: ehsafety@uta.edu
Mail: Environmental Health & Safety, Box #19257
Fax: 817-272-2144
Drop-Off: Environmental Health & Safety Bldg., 500 Summit Ave.
Phone: 817-272-2185
Web: http://policy.uta.edu/index.php?navid=13459

Additional Resources:
Hepatitis B Vaccine Waiver
Biohazard Recognition and Control Manual
Request for Disposal – Biological

First Aid Kit Supply Request Form

In addition to registration of work involving potentially pathogenic agents/material, training is required for research personnel.  The training is available online.  For the training modules listed below, log-in using your UTA net ID and password: https://www.uta.edu/ra/real/loginscreen.php?view=7.

Bloodborne Pathogen Training - Required for employees and research personnel who work with or have the potential to be exposed to human blood, body fluids, or tissue.

Hazard Communication Training - Required for employees and research personnel who work with or have the potential to be exposed to hazardous chemicals and/or materials. 

Vaccinia Training - Required for employees and research personnel who work in a laboratory with the vaccinia virus.

Labs conducting work with pathogenic agents must be inspected by EH&S prior to initiation.  EH&S will certify the laboratory, assess training needs, and provide the appropriate lab signage.  Please contact EH&S at 817-272-2185 or ehsafety@uta.edu to begin the lab certification process.

EH&S’s Biosafety Lab Evaluation Form


For questions or assistance, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at ehsafety@uta.edu or 817-272-2185.