Biological Accident Investigation

Accidents in laboratories and/or clinics and infections resulting from work with biohazards must be promptly reported to the EHS Biosafety Professional. Prompt and thorough investigations of these incidents can identify their causes so that appropriate actions can be taken to prevent similar occurrences. The IBC Accident Investigation Team was established, as a subcommittee of the IBC, to conduct an investigation of these accidents. The PI, supervisor and laboratory personnel shall provide the IBC Accident Investigation Team with all necessary information and support needed to successfully complete the accident investigation.

It is important the following incidents are investigated: any serious, unusual, or extended illness of a biohazard worker; any accident that involves ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact of infectious organisms; or inoculation of infectious agents and/or rDNA molecules through the skin. If a potentially infectious organism or recombinant DNA molecule were to acquire the capacity to infect and cause disease in humans, the first evidence of this potential may be demonstrated as a laboratory-acquired infection. Verification that an infection is associated with such work or research will provide sufficient warning for re-evaluation of hazards and initiation of additional precautions to protect MU laboratory workers and the public.

The investigation for reporting of all accidents associated with infectious agents or rDNA research should establish the circumstances leading to the accident, including a review of techniques, procedures, types, and uses of equipment that may have been involved in the accident. The IBC Accident Investigation Team report to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) shall provide recommendations for preventing similar occurrences.