Work with Human Pathogens

I. Registration

Registration with the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Office of Office of Environmental Health & Safety is required before initiation of research with a human etiologic agent. Your Safety Advisor or EHS will assist with the State registration process and any required updates.

All experiments involving the introduction of infectious agents or potentially hazardous biological materials in animals, must be approved by the Yale Animal Care and Use Committee, the Yale Animal Resources Center and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety prior to initiation.

In addition to registration with the State of Connecticut and EHS, each lab working with infectious agents is required to complete a "Request to Use Infectious Agent" form. The form must be filed with, and approved, by Biosafety prior to initiation of work.

Each researcher handling infectious agents must also document prior work experience with similar biohazards. A "Researcher's Experience Form" detailing previous biohazard experience must be on file and approved by Biosafety before initiating work. Researchers without prior work experience will be required to obtain and document experience and proficiency to gain clearance to work with infectious agents without supervision.

II. Training

Successful completion of a range of biosafety training programs may be required prior to the initiation of your work at Yale University . Please review the "Biosafety Training Matrix" for information on required training.

All researchers working with etiologic agents (Risk Group 2 and higher) must receive training in both biosafety and the microbiological procedures that will be utilized for the experiment. Biosafety training sessions are provided on a monthly basis at EHS (call 785-3550) for the next scheduled training date or click here. The Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring that all researchers are trained in the procedures and techniques used in the laboratory.

Risk Group 2 and higher etiologic agents are listed in the NIH Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard. Please contact your Safety Advisor or EHS if you have any questions or to review agents not listed. The"Classification of Etiologic Agents" is also available as part of the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines), which can be obtained through: http://grants.nih.gov/grants//guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-052.html. Material Safety Data Sheets for infectious agents are available through: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/msds-ftss/index.html.