Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Regulation 17(2) and (3)

SCHEDULE 7 General principles of good microbiological practice and of good occupational safety and hygiene

The general principles of good microbiological practice and of good occupational safety and hygiene are as follows—

(a) keeping workplace and environmental exposure to any genetically modified micro-organism to the lowest reasonably practicable level;

(b) exercising engineering control measures at source and supplementing these with appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment where necessary;

(c) testing adequately and maintaining control measures and equipment;

(d) testing, where necessary, for the presence of viable process organisms outside the primary physical containment;

(e) providing appropriate training of personnel;

(f) formulating and implementing local codes of practice for the safety of personnel, as required;

(g) displaying biohazard signs where appropriate;

(h) providing washing and decontamination facilities for personnel;

(i) keeping adequate records;

(j) prohibiting in the work area eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or the storing of food for human consumption;

(k) prohibiting mouth pipetting;

(l) providing written standard operating procedures where appropriate to ensure safety;

(m) having effective disinfectants and specified disinfection procedures available in case of spillage of genetically modified micro-organisms; and

(n) providing safe storage for contaminated laboratory equipment and materials where appropriate.