Biological Safety

1. Metal and biohazard sharps: Any sharps made of metal (including, but not limited to: scalpel blades, razor blades and needles), and/or biohazard-contaminated glassware will be placed in a puncture-resistant container. When said container is full, it will be autoclaved (if necessary), sealed and placed in a cardboard box, which will in turn be sealed. The container and box will both be labeled with the laboratory PI’s name, a contact phone number, the date, and the words, “Decontaminated Laboratory Sharps” written conspicuously on the top of the box.
2. Glassware: Any non-biohazard-contaminated glassware will be placed in a cardboard box. When full, the box will be sealed and placed in a second box, which will be sealed. The outer box will be labeled with the laboratory PI’s name, a contact phone number, the date, and the words, “Sharps” (and/or) “Broken Glass” written conspicuously on the top of the box.
3. Blood Borne Pathogens Waste: See Blood borne pathogens/Bio Hazardous Waste.

Though over 110 species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus, most survive.  Thus far, testing locally is focused mostly on crows and jays found dead within Pueblo County.

If you spot dead birds (specifically birds in the corvid family such as crows, magpies, ravens, and jays - American crows constitute the majority of birds reported positive for WN virus) on campus grounds, contact the EH&S department at 549.2211.   Wear gloves to handle any carcass. On campus call EH&S for collection information and reporting. Off campus contact your local health department for information.

Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens (BBP) such as the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS) can be fatal. These pathogens and others may be present in body fluids or secretions such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal secretions, clinical specimens/cultures, urine, and sometimes vomit and feces. Typically, the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens in the typical CSU-Pueblo setting is relatively low. However, there is a potential for exposure whenever and wherever there is contact with body fluids. Treat all blood and body fluid (regardless of the person it may be from) as though it were potentially infected. The following are some examples of your potential contact:

• Administering first aid or CPR.
• Assisting sick or injured people who are bleeding, coughing-up blood or vomiting.
• Needle prick (e.g., while handling trash; administering medical assistance; drawing blood; or even moving furniture). Note- Seek medical advice after reporting the incident.
• Laboratory work involving unfixed tissue or organ from a human, or contact with HIV/ HBV-containing culture medium/solution, blood, tissue or organ.
• Cuts by sharp contaminated objects.
• Performing clean-up or custodial tasks.
• Handling laundry.
• Handling items contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids.*

*If you encounter a housekeeping situation with a high potential for exposure, do not handle the contaminated items. Secure the area and contact EH&S at x2211 from a campus phone. Special procedures are used for decontamination and disposal. Only trained staff should conduct these tasks. Basic safety procedures consist of minimizing potential contact with body fluids and protecting exposure routes to your body by wearing personal protective equipment. Basic protection may consist of the following - depending on the type of exposure anticipated and the nature of the work being conducted:

• latex gloves or other non-permeable (liquid-proof) glove
• safety glasses with side shields or goggles
• puncture-resistant gloves
• microshield (a uni-directional shield used when administering CPR)
• medical face mask
• leak proof apron

When handling potentially contaminated media, avoid touching your face (nose, eyes and mouth). Practice good sanitation. Wash hands thoroughly with non-abrasive soap before eating, applying cosmetics, smoking or handling contact lenses. Disinfect contaminated surfaces and items with a solution of 10 parts water to one part bleach.