Biological Safety

The purpose of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Biosafety Program is to define policies and procedures to minimize risks to personnel, facilities, and the environment resulting from the use of biological agents. The work practices, procedures and policies specified in this manual are based on current laws and guidelines from the city, state and Federal agencies and recognized good biosafety practices. Implementation of these measures will reduce the likelihood of incidents involving biological agents and will fulfill regulatory biosafety requirements.

Biological Safety Current Topics

Select Agents and Toxins List

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified 68 biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose severe threats. To learn more, visit the Select Agents and Toxins list.

Select Agents and Toxins List

NIH Guidelines

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has guidelines to specify the biosafety practices and containment principles for constructing and handling:

recombinant nucleic acid molecules,
synthetic nucleic acid molecules, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified but can base pair with naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules,
cells, organisms, and viruses containing such molecules.

To learn more about the guidelines, click the link.

NIH Guidelines

Exposure Control Plan for Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

WPI has an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) in the event of an occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. To familiarize yourself with the plan, please visit the Exposure Control Plan page.

Exposure Control Plan