Safety Hub

From 2014.igem.org

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     <div><a href="javascript:showHide('checkinfaq');">Frequently Asked Questions about Check-Ins</a></div>
     <div><a href="javascript:showHide('checkinfaq');">Frequently Asked Questions about Check-Ins</a></div>
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         <p><em>What if I am unsure whether my organism/part requires a Check-In?</em></p>
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         <p>Ask us! Email safety AT igem DOT org to ask questions about what requires a Check-In. Or, because the Check-In form is short and easy, you can submit a Check-In even if you are unsure whether it is necessary.</p>
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        <li><p><em>What if I am unsure whether my organism/part requires a Check-In?</em></p>
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         <p><em>We want to do a little preliminary work with an organism/part, but we might not use it for our final project. Do we still have to Check-In before we acquire the organism/part?</em></p>
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         <p>Ask us! Email safety AT igem DOT org to ask questions about what requires a Check-In. Or, because the Check-In form is short and easy, you can submit a Check-In even if you are unsure whether it is necessary.</p></li>
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         <p>Yes! Please Check-In for every organism/part you want to acquire that is not on the White List, even if you will not use it in your final project. You can tell us in the "Further Comments" section that it is not for your final project, or that you are unsure. We have made the Check-In form short and easy, so you can Check-In for many parts, even ones you are not sure about using.</p>
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         <li><p><em>We want to do a little preliminary work with an organism/part, but we might not use it for our final project. Do we still have to Check-In before we acquire the organism/part?</em></p>
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         <p><em>Uh-oh! We started working really early, and we have already started working with an organism/part that is not on the White List. What do we do?</em></p>
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         <p>Yes! Please Check-In for every organism/part you want to acquire that is not on the White List, even if you will not use it in your final project. You can tell us in the "Further Comments" section that it is not for your final project, or that you are unsure. We have made the Check-In form short and easy, so you can Check-In for many parts, even ones you are not sure about using.</p></li>
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         <p>Just let us know. Submit the Check-In as soon as you can, and in the "Further Comments" section, describe what work you have already done with the organism/part. <!--Possible deadline for retroactive check-ins--></p>
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         <li><p><em>Uh-oh! We started working really early, and we have already started working with an organism/part that is not on the White List. What do we do?</em></p>
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         <p><em>Uh-oh! We misunderstood the White List, and we already started working with an organism/part that requires a Check-In. What do we do?</em></p>
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         <p>Just let us know. Submit the Check-In as soon as you can, and in the "Further Comments" section, describe what work you have already done with the organism/part. <!--Possible deadline for retroactive check-ins--></p></li>
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         <p>Just let us know. Email safety AT igem DOT org to describe the situation, and send us a Check-In promptly. Tell us in the "Further Comments" section what you have done with the organism/part already.</p>
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         <li><p><em>Uh-oh! We misunderstood the White List, and we already started working with an organism/part that requires a Check-In. What do we do?</em></p>
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         <p><em>You approved our Check-In for an organism/part. Do we still need to ask our university/institution about it? What about checking local laws?</em></p>
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         <p>Just let us know. Email safety AT igem DOT org to describe the situation, and send us a Check-In promptly. Tell us in the "Further Comments" section what you have done with the organism/part already.</p></li>
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         <p>Yes! The iGEM Safety Committee does not replace institutional review boards, or your local government. You are responsible for obtaining from your university or government any approvals that might be necessary. Your university or government might have different rules about what organisms/parts require special approval.</p>
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         <li><p><em>You approved our Check-In for an organism/part. Do we still need to ask our university/institution about it? What about checking local laws?</em></p>
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         <p><em>We are only using organisms/parts from the White List, and therefore we do not need to submit any Check-Ins. Do we still need to ask our university/institution about our project? What about checking local laws?</em></p>
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         <p>Yes! The iGEM Safety Committee does not replace institutional review boards, or your local government. You are responsible for obtaining from your university or government any approvals that might be necessary. Your university or government might have different rules about what organisms/parts require special approval.</p></li>
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         <p>Yes! Again, the iGEM Safety Committee does not replace institutional review boards, or your local government. Even if you are only using organisms/parts that are generally considered "safe", you still have the responsibility to follow good laboratory procedures. Also, you are responsible for ensuring that your project complies with the rules of your university/institution, and with the laws of your nation.</p>
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         <li><p><em>We are only using organisms/parts from the White List, and therefore we do not need to submit any Check-Ins. Do we still need to ask our university/institution about our project? What about checking local laws?</em></p>
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         <p>Yes! Again, the iGEM Safety Committee does not replace institutional review boards, or your local government. Even if you are only using organisms/parts that are generally considered "safe", you still have the responsibility to follow good laboratory procedures. Also, you are responsible for ensuring that your project complies with the rules of your university/institution, and with the laws of your nation.</p></li>
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Revision as of 20:04, 13 May 2014


Questions or feedback?
Email safety AT igem DOT org!
This page is under construction.

Some parts of this page are complete, and some are still unfinished. Unfinished parts are marked with more pink messages. Similarly, the pages that are linked from the left-hand side menu are not finished. You can look at the questions on the forms, but you cannot complete or submit the forms yet.

Email safety AT igem DOT org with any questions!

Timeline

Today →

  • Start by reading this page and learning about safety in iGEM. If you have any questions, please contact us!
  • Now - Jamboree: Complete Check-Ins and receive approval before acquiring and using certain materials in your lab. You must Check-In for any organism or part that is not on the White List.
  • June 9: Submit the About Our Lab form.
  • June 30: Submit the Preliminary Version of the Safety Form.
  • Over the summer: Participate in Virtual Open Office Hours to ask questions and discuss safety topics (exact dates to be announced).
  • September 1: Submit the Final Version of the Safety Form.

→ Wiki Freeze & Giant Jamboree!

Welcome to the Safety Hub! My name is Kelly, and I'm here to help you with any questions or problems you might have about safety in iGEM.
(I also like to talk about Policy & Practices!)

You can contact me by email (safety AT igem DOT org), Skype text chat (kelly_igem), or Twitter (@Kelly_iGEM).

Overview

First of all, you are responsible for your own safety. Throughout your project, and after we approve any of your forms, you are responsible for living up to the trust we have placed in you to handle potentially dangerous materials safely. Good judgment and proper practices are always necessary. The Safety Committee is here to help you, and to teach you to help yourself. We are not a substitute for the biosafety regulations of your country, or the lab safety guidelines of your university/institution.

This year, there are three main tasks you should do: the About Our Lab form, the Check-Ins, and the Safety Form.

!  Keep up to date  !

If your project changes, you can always submit a new version of any form, even after the deadlines.

We encourage you to update your forms if there are significant changes to your project.

  • The About Our Lab form is short and easy; it is due at the beginning of summer, June 9.
  • Check-Ins are also short and easy, and must be completed before you acquire or use certain materials in your lab -- that means you may complete them at any time until the Jamboree.
  • The Safety Form is longer. We ask that you complete a Preliminary Version by June 30 (answer as many questions as you can, and leave blank the questions you cannot answer yet). The final version of the Safety Form is not due until the end of summer, September 1.

The Requirements section, below, gives more details about each form. You can visit the forms by clicking on the links on the left side of this page. We are developing and improving iGEM's safety practices each year. The guidelines and forms are different from last year, so please read carefully!!

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Requirements

About-Our-Lab Form

The About-Our-Lab form is just four questions about your lab facilities and safety practices. Every team should complete an About-Our-Lab form. It is due on June 9, 2014, and it should take much less than one hour to complete.

If you are still searching for a lab space for the summer, and you will not be able to complete the About Our Lab form before the deadline, just email us before June 9 (safety AT igem DOT org), and tell us about your situation.

Check-Ins

The biggest change this year is that we are now requiring Check-Ins before you acquire or use certain materials in your lab. Specifically, you must send us a Check-In for any organism or part that is not on the White List. Once the iGEM Safety Committee has approved your Check-In by email, you may begin working with the material (organism or part). You may Check-In for as many organisms/parts as you wish, and any team member may send a Check-In at any time until the Jamboree.

We understand that many teams began working before the Check-In form was released. If your team has already started working, you are NOT in trouble, and you do NOT need to stop working. Just submit Check-Ins as soon as you can, and in the "Further Comments" field, describe what you have already done.

Safety Form

Every team should complete a Safety Form. This form lets you show us several things:

  • That you are working responsibly in an appropriate lab.
  • That you are in contact with the biosafety authorities of your university/institution, or of your country.
  • That you are working with your advisors to ensure good lab practices.

The Safety Form also helps you think further about safety for your project as it is now, and as it might be in the future. You will complete a Preliminary Version of your safety form by June 30, and then complete a Final Version by September 1.

Any team members can write the Safety Form and save it as a draft, but only an Instructor can submit the form.

Tell us about safety on your wiki!

Your blank wiki includes a "Safety" page. You can customize this page to tell everyone about the ways you're being responsible in your work!

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Help!

Ask us questions!

Email safety AT igem DOT org any time, with any questions you might have! We are friendly and available, and we will do our best to answer your questions quickly. ANY team member can ask a question. You do not need to be a team advisor or representative! And you should not fear that your team will suffer consequences simply because you asked us a question. If you are confused or concerned about anything related to safety, please ask!

Virtual Open Office Hours

Participate in our Virtual Open Office Hours via Skype text chat. These office hours are not yet scheduled -- we will announce them here and on the main page when they are scheduled. Virtual Open Office Hours will be hosted by staff member Kelly Drinkwater (please add kelly_igem as a Skype contact).

You will need Skype to participate.

Print Resources / Web Links

This section is under construction. If you know of a good resource, please suggest it!
  • The WHO Biosafety Manual is available in PDF format, in several languages. Official versions: English, Français, Español, Português, 中文, Русский. Unofficial translations: Italiano, 日本語, Српски / srpski, Tiếng Việt.
  • The NIH Guidelines are a set of United States rules on how to safely work with recombinant or synthetic DNA molecules.
  • The CDC has published Biosafety in Microbial and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), a comprehensive guide to laboratory safety following U.S. regulations.

Who can answer my questions about lab safety?

The iGEM safety team is a great resource, but it is not the only resource. You probably have many safety experts right next door to you! For example:

  • Your faculty advisor or team leaders
  • The laboratory manager for the place where you work
  • The safety office or Institutional Biosafety Committee at your university/institution
  • Members of your local or national government
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Risk Groups and Biosafety Levels

Most countries classify microorganisms into four Risk Groups, according to how dangerous they are to humans. In the same way, biology laboratories are classified into four BioSafety Levels, based on how tightly they contain the experimental microorganisms. Usually, people working with Risk Group 1 organisms will work in a Level 1 lab, people working with Risk Group 2 organisms will work in a Level 2 lab, and so on.

Different countries might disagree about the exact definitions of the four Risk Groups or the four laboratory Safety Levels. The tables below are general descriptions and guidelines. You should consult your advisor, your lab manager, or the authorities of your university to find out the exact rules for your country. To learn more about Risk Groups and BioSafety Levels, please visit the Risk Group Guide.

Risk Groups

Risk Group Danger Description Example species
1 Low risk These organisms do not cause disease in healthy adult humans. (However, they might cause disease in young children, elderly people, or people with immune system deficiencies.) E. coli K-12, Bacillus subtilis
2 Moderate risk These organisms cause disease to humans, but the disease is treatable and preventable. These organisms are unlikely to present a serious hazard to public health or the environment. Listeria, Salmonella, Herpes virus. (Also, many cell lines such as HeLa contain Risk Group 2 viruses.)
3 High risk These organisms cause serious disease in humans. Effective treatments and vaccinations are available. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, West Nile Virus, Hanta virus, Yersinia pestis (black plague)
4 Extreme risk These organisms cause serious or deadly disease in humans, and they can be easily transmitted from person to person. Treatments and vaccinations are NOT available. Ebola virus, Marburg virus

Laboratory Safety Levels

Level 1: The most basic safety procedures. Work is done on open benches, and workers wear basic protective equipment like rubber gloves.
Level 2: Moderate safety procedures. Some work can be done on open bench tops, but any work that might generate aerosols or splashes is done in biosafety cabinets. Workers might wear additional protective equipment, beyond rubber gloves and lab coats.
Level 3: Strong safety procedures. Work is often done in closed-front biosafety cabinets ("glove boxes"). Alternatively, workers might use an open-front biosafety cabinet (as in Level 2), and wear extra protective equipment, such as face shields, respirators, or suits that cover the whole body.
Level 4: Maximum safety procedures. Labs have airlocks for entry and exit, and workers take decontaminating showers. Inside the lab, workers wear "space suits" that isolate the whole body, supply clean air to breathe, and maintain air pressure to stop any stray particles from entering.

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Tutorial

To learn about biological risk assessment and responsible research, you can watch the two videos below.



These two videos were made available through SynBERC. Videos produced by Terry D. Johnson, based on slides by J. Christopher Anderson, both of UC Berkeley Bioengineering.

Transcripts of the two videos will be available soon.

What Would YOU Do? Safety Scenarios

This section is under construction. We are building a "choose your own adventure" tool that you can use to explore different biosafety scenarios.
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Who is the iGEM Safety Committee?

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Your Responsibility

The iGEM Safety Committee is not a substitute for the biosafety regulations of your country, or for the lab safety guidelines of your university. You and your advisors are responsible for working safely in the laboratory, and for ensuring that your project complies with local laws and university/institutional guidelines. By approving your various forms (About Our Lab form, Check-Ins, Safety Form), the iGEM Safety Committee is only affirming that your team has permission to participate in iGEM. We cannot certify that your project is completely safe (even "safe" organisms, like E. coli K-12, can present some risks!). Likewise, we cannot certify that your project is in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations of your university/institution, local government, national government, and/or international treaties.

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