Learn how to work safely with biotoxins and if the biotoxin you use is subject to additional regulatory oversight.
Biotoxin safe work practices
Biological toxins or biotoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain microorganisms, animals, and plants, but they do not replicate and are therefore not considered infectious. However, because biotoxins may be extremely toxic in very small quantities, manage them as hazardous chemicals.
Review and implement the Biological Toxin Safe Work Practices for any work with biotoxins. You also need to have a specific SOP for each toxin and provide documented training. Use the Biological Toxin Checklist to help ensure safe work practices for research involving biotoxins.
Select toxins are those regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program and may require additional safety and security requirements including registration with EH&S and the CDC.
Emergency Response and Reporting
UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, property damage, or fire, regardless of the work location. UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit work-related near-miss events. Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.
Notify EH&S immediately (after first aid/medical care/emergency services) if the incident involves recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids or genetically modified organisms.
- During EH&S business hours: (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday) call (206) 221-7770.
- Outside of EH&S business hours: call the UW Police Department at (206) 685-8973 to reach EH&S on-call staff.