Health & Safety (Biological Agents) Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 2013?
To protect workers from the risks posed by biological agents and to ensure risk assessment, control measures, and training for employees exposed to biological hazards.
This regulation is part of the SHW at Work Act 2005.
What are the protective/preventive measures outlined in the regulations?
- Risk assessment
- Information, training
- Hygiene
- Vaccination
- Emergency plans
- Health surveillance
These measures are designed to manage risks associated with biological agents in the workplace.
Fill in the blank: The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 2013 specifically addresses the risks associated with _______.
[biological agents]
True or False: The regulations require employers to implement health surveillance for employees exposed to biological hazards.
True
Health surveillance is one of the key preventive measures mandated by the regulations.
What is a key requirement for employers under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 2013?
Conduct risk assessment and provide training for employees exposed to biological hazards.
Risk assessments help identify potential hazards and implement control measures.
What does risk assessment involve under the regulations?
Identifying and evaluating risks posed by biological agents in the workplace.
This is a crucial step in protecting worker health and safety.
What are the four criteria used to classify biological agents into risk groups?
- Agent is pathogenic to humans 2. Agent is a hazard to employees 3. Agent is transmissible to the community 4. Effective treatment or prophylaxis available
What characterizes Risk Group 1 biological agents?
Harmless lab bacteria, unlikely to cause human disease, minimal precautions required, decontamination involves washing hands and surfaces
What is an example of a Risk Group 2 biological agent?
Salmonella
What are the characteristics of Risk Group 2 biological agents?
Can cause mild disease in humans, may be a hazard to employees, requires safety cabinet or bench work
What is an example of a Risk Group 3 biological agent?
Hepatitis B/TB
What defines Risk Group 3 biological agents?
Can cause serious disease, is a hazard to employees, treatment usually available, requires category 3 procedures like safety cabinet class II or III and separate work area
What is an example of a Risk Group 4 biological agent?
Ebola
What are the key characteristics of Risk Group 4 biological agents?
Cause serious or fatal disease, usually no effective treatment, requires specific facilities such as ‘clean room’, safety cabinet class III, separate oxygen supply, specialized clothing
Fill in the blank: Risk Group 1 biological agents are _______.
harmless lab bacteria
True or False: Risk Group 3 biological agents always have effective treatment available.
False
Fill in the blank: Risk Group 4 biological agents usually have _______ treatment available.
no effective
What is a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)?
A ventilated, enclosed workspace used in laboratories to handle biological agents safely.
It provides protection for the user, the environment, and the sample by controlling airflow and filtering contaminants.
What does a Biological Safety Cabinet prevent?
Aerosol transmission of infectious agents.
It also protects lab workers from exposure to pathogens and ensures sterility of cultures and diagnostic samples.
What are some pathogens that require a Biological Safety Cabinet for handling?
SARS-CoV-2, TB, and Hepatitis B.
These are considered hazardous biological agents.
What type of protection does a Class I Biological Safety Cabinet provide?
Protects the user and the environment, but not the sample.
Used for low-to-moderate risk biological agents.
Provide an example of when a Class I Biological Safety Cabinet might be used.
Handling bacterial cultures in teaching labs.
What type of Biological Safety Cabinet is most common in medical labs?
Class II.
It protects the user, the environment, and the sample.
What feature does a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet use to maintain sterile airflow?
HEPA filters.
