Biosafety Risk Assessment

A Risk Assessment is the best method for determining the proper Biosafety Level and safety practices for your work. It should be based on the agent(s) and manipulations of the agent that you will perform. Basic risk assessment steps are summarized below.

1. Risk Groups have been assigned to biohazardous agents. They indicate how dangerous is a particular bacteria, virus, or other biohazard. First, determine the risk group of the agent(s) with which you are working. Consult the references below for your agent(s).
2. Determine the recommended biosafety level by referring to one or more of the references listed below.
3. Determine if there are any manipulations that would indicate using a higher level of containment such as: high titers/concentrations, use of sharps, large volumes (>10 L) or creation of aerosols.
4. Refer to Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition and review the guidelines for safe work practices for the biosafety level corresponding to your risk assessment.
   
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References - Biological Agent Risk Groups

• American Biological Safety Association Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents.
• CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition - Agent Summary Statements
• NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
• Public Health Agency of Canada Pathogen Safety Data Sheets

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