The Biosafety training program is designed to minimize the risks of lab-acquired illness, ensure proper containment for activities utilizing biohazardous materials and maintain compliance with regulations pertaining to infectious agents, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, select agents or toxins, research animals, bloodborne pathogens, and other biohazardous materials.
Lab-specific training
Lab-specific training is ongoing training provided by the principal investigator on the specific materials and procedures that are being utilized in the laboratory. The PI must provide the lab-specific training prior to allowing individuals to work with biohazardous materials and whenever policies or procedures change.
Biosafety training
ASU biosafety training is a comprehensive training that fulfills the training requirement for work with infectious materials in laboratories, materials of human origin that fall under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, and NIH Guidelines training. The frequency of refresher training depends on the materials being utilized as outlined by the chart below. You can access the course on Edge (ASURite login required).
National Institutes of Health guidelines training
The National Institutes of Health Office of Biotechnology Activities regulates the use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules in government-sponsored research and teaching activities in the United States. The NIH OBA developed the NIH “Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules” (NIH Guidelines) as a comprehensive set of regulations governing the use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. One component of these regulations is the requirement that all personnel working with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are properly trained. The Biosafety group in Environmental Health and Safety has developed training on Edge (ASURite login required) to help meet this requirement.
Safety, security and incident response training
These trainings are provided by Environmental Health and Safety and are required for anyone who may have access to areas where select agents and toxins are used or stored. These individuals must take these trainings before access is granted, and they must take them at least every year thereafter. EH&S may require additional training based on the materials used. Contact EH&S Biosafety at 480-965-5389 for more information.
Training determination table
The table below will help determine the training required by the IBC based on the biosafety level and category of materials used. For questions, contact us.
| Biosafety level (BSL) | Materials used | Training required | Renewal frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that are not exempt from the NIH Guidelines | Lab-specific training (provided by PI) | Ongoing |
| NIH Guidelines training or Biosafety training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory and every 4 years after | ||
| 1 | All other BSL-1 materials other than those listed above (Exempt for NIH Guidelines) | Lab-specific training (provided by PI) | Ongoing |
| Biosafety training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory | ||
| 2 | Human or nonhuman primate blood, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, blood products, tissue or cells (including cell cultures) | Lab-specific training (provided by PI | Ongoing |
| Biosafety training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory and every year thereafter | ||
| 2 | All other BSL-2 materials other than human or NHP materials listed above | Lab-specific training (provided by PI) | Ongoing |
| Biosafety training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory and every 4 years after | ||
| 3 | CDC Select Agents and Toxins | Lab-specific training (provided by PI) | Ongoing |
| Biosafety, security and incident response training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory and every year thereafter | ||
| Biosafety training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory and every year thereafter | ||
| 3 | All other BSL-3 materials other than CDC Select Agents and Toxins listed above | Lab-specific training (provided by PI) | Ongoing |
| Biosafety training | Prior to beginning work in the laboratory and every year thereafter |
EH&S training determination tool
Depending on the type of work being performed, additional safety trainings may be recommended or required by other units. Consult the EH&S Training Determination Tool for a customized training curriculum based on job functions.