Biosafety measures to address challenges in expanding an anatomical laboratory

Abstract

Introduction Laboratory work requires the use of potentially hazardous materials, sophisticated equipment, technical operations, and procedures to enhance discoveries. Health and biosafety considerations are made when designing laboratories, or when labs are renovated to accommodate more storage or research. The question then arises for the need of further biosafety requirements for a lab expansion. The anatomy laboratory at UNTHSC recently expanded their storage facilities to accommodate more donors to the Willed Body Program. Biosafety practices are crucial to prevent exposures to chemical and biological agents. There is a gap in knowledge about the biosafety challenges involved with the expansion of an anatomy lab. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the biosafety requirements and challenges for anatomical lab expansion. Methods Current regulations and recommendations for biosafety practices in anatomical laboratories from the State Anatomical Board of Texas will be reviewed to ensure compliance. A risk assessment of the laboratory will be performed to determine the potential hazards and the engineering requirements of safety protocols that will be needed during expansion. Materials and waste management, as well as air handling procedures will be reviewed, as well as the training procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The biosafety officer will ensure that the SOPs must cover hazard communication, accident and incident reporting system, personal protective equipment use, post-exposure and prophylaxis plan, transfer of equipment, and entry and exit procedures. Conclusion Our goal is to ensure the biosafety measures will help reduce the challenges in expanding the anatomical laboratory at UNTHSC.