Department of Pathology

Health and Safety

Introduction

This Department deals with a wide range of biological hazards and associated risks. We are therefore particularly concerned that work with pathogens and genetically modified organisms is carried out safely and in accordance with the law and best practice.

Pathology has two appointed Biological Safety Officers (BSOs), one based on the Downing Site, the other at Addenbrooke's. For further information and advice on matters of biological safety please contact your local BSO in the first instance. Additional information and assistance may be sought from the Secretary to the Biological Hazards Sub-committee at the Health and Safety Division or the Safety Officer for the School of Biological Sciences.

DEFRA Specified Animal Pathogens

All work with DEFRA listed pathogens requires a license.

Applying for a license to hold a Specified Animal Pathogen

  1. Read the Application and Notes to confirm that your organism is a requires a license.
    NB: If your organism requires a license DO NOT commence new work with the organism.
    If work has already begun, cease work ASAP
  2. Complete the application form and submit it, along with the associated Standard Operating Procedures to the Biological Safety Officer.
  3. The application will be reviewed and then submitted to DEFRA.
  4. An inspection of the premises will follow.
  5. Assuming the facilities, procedures and lab personnel are approved by DEFRA, a license will be issued and work may commence.

Related Documents

Genetically Modified Organisms - (Contained Use) (ACGM)

Every project generating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or storing, using and handling previously constructed GMOs must be registered.

Procedure for project risk assessment and registration

Project risk assessment to the Department of Pathology Advisory Committee for Genetic Modification (Departmental ACGM)

  1. Please read “Complying with the GMO (contained use) Regulations 2000”
  2. Download the appropriate risk assessment form:
    • GMA - for the majority of GM work, this form covers the use of genetically modified micro-organisms and eukaryotic cell and tissue culture systems, with additional sections relating to viruses and viral vectors
    • GMB - for the generation breeding or use of genetically modified animals or invertebrates.
    • GMC - for the generation breeding or use of genetically modified plants.
    • GMD - for genetically modified plant pathogens and plant associated micro-organisms.
    • GME - for the long term storage of GM cultures/stocks etc.
      • (these forms are MS Word documents and can be opened and used as such).
  3. Complete the form and return both a hard copy and electronic version to the Departmental ACGM secretary (acgm-sec@path.cam.ac.uk).
  4. The ACGM will review the project risk assessment and return to you with questions and recommendations.
  5. Answer the questions and make the recommended changes (if any) and return both a hard copy and electronic version of the updated risk assessment to the ACGM secretary.
  6. You will be notified of acceptance by the Departmental ACGM and if further action is necessary (see below).

Project review and registration with the HSE

  1. If the project is determined to be Class 2 or greater, then the project requires official review and registration with the HSE.
  2. Download the CU2 form - Notification of intention to conduct individual contained use activities:
  3. Complete the form with your information and return both a hard copy and electronic version to the Departmental ACGM secretary.
  4. The information will be reviewed and Departmental information will be added.
  5. You will send 1) the completed CU2 form, 2) risk assessment and 3) cheque for the appropriate sum to the HSE.
  6. You will be notified by the HSE when you can commence your project.

Documentation Requirements - Dangerous Pathogens

To all Principal Investigators:

We are required by the University Health and Safety Division to provide up-to-date listings of non-GM micro-organisms used or stored in the Department. Both the Biological Sciences Safety Officer Mark Elsdon and the Health and Safety Office have agreed that at this juncture we can keep the list fairly generic. This means that every isolate or strain kept within a species does not need to be listed unless it has special pathogenic characteristics that set it apart (e.g. E. coli strain O157:H7 would be separately categorised from those strains used for cloning). Provided on this page are:

  1. Forms for Hazard Group 1, Hazard Group 2 and Hazard Group 3, which are to be filled out as appropriate.
  2. The most recent ACDP listing of pathogens according to their Hazard Group

If you have not already done so, have added new organisms to your list or are starting a new project, please fill these forms out ASAP and return them as electronic versions to the Facilities Office by email (DSO@path.cam.ac.uk). If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact one of the Biological Safety Officers.

Forms and HSE Advisory Information