Work with biological factors
Protection from exposure
Regulations on protection from exposure to biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) in the workplace are provided on lovdata (Norwegian only).
The purpose of these regulations is to protect workers (us) against the hazards of exposure to biological agents.
All employees that work with human pathogen bacteria and virus that there exists a vaccine for shall receive an offer to get a vaccine. Employees are themselves responsible to contact the university health services to have this done.
The employer shall ensure that the provisions for abiding to these regulations are implemented.
Definitions and classifications
Definitions
| Biological factors | Living and dead microorganisms, cell cultures and endoparasites, prions that can cause infection, allergy or toxicity in humans |
| Living biological factors | A cellular or non-cellular microbiological entity that is capable of replication or of transferring genetic material |
| Micro-organisms | VViruses, bacteria, fungi, spores and protozoa (single-celled animals) |
| Cell culture | The results of in vitro culturing of cells derived from multicellular organisms |
| Endoparasites | Parasites that live all or part of their lives in the human body |
| Containment | The measures or barriers used to prevent biological factors from coming into accidental contact with humans or the environment |
Classification of biological factors in infection
The list contains only biological agents that cause infectious diseases in humans. In addition, there is a summary of the following issues:
- A: Can cause allergic reactions.
- D: Records of workers exposed to this biological risk factor must be kept for at least 10 years after the last known exposure.
- T: Toxin-producing : can initiate toxic reactions.
- V: Effective vaccines exist.
More information can be found on the HSE-Gateway.
Classification of biological factors in infection
1. Live biological agents classified into four infection groups in relation to the risk of infection they represent:
- Group 1: Does not normally cause infectious disease in humans.
- Group 2: May cause infectious disease in humans and be a hazard to workers, it is unlikely that it will spread to the community and there are usually effective prophylactic measures or forms of treatment available.
- Group 3: Can cause serious infectious disease in humans and pose a serious hazard to workers, there may be a risk of spreading to the community but there is usually effective prophylaxis or treatment available.
- Group 4: Causes serious infectious disease in humans and poses a serious hazard to workers, there can be a high risk of spreading to the community and there is usually no effective prophylaxis or treatment.
2. For biological factors not listed in the list of classified biological agents, the employer shall assess the infection risk group based on the criteria given in paragraph 1.
3. The work may involve exposure to biological agents that have developed multidrug resistance, the employer shall make an assessment of the work and may decide that it must be done under stricter containment measures than those laid down for the biological agent infection group.
Notification to The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority
1. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) shall be notified at least 30 days before you start using biological factors in risk groups 2, 3 and 4.
2. New notification may be necessary:
- If biological agents in different risk groups than those already reported are taken into use.
- Upon the first use of each biological factor in risk group 4.
- When changes are made in the workplace regarding procedures that are important for health and safety.
3. Notification shall contain:
- Name, address and organization.
- Name of the person responsible for health and safety at work, and his or her professional qualifications.
- Name of safety representative / delegate.
- Results of the risk assessment.
- The nature of the biological factor.
- The planned safety and security measures.
Employer and safety officer shall sign the document.
A list of biological agents classified in risk groups 2, 3 and 4 is attached and can be found in § 21 of the regulations (Norwegian only). The list contains only biological agents that cause infectious diseases in humans. In addition, there is an overview of allergic and toxic reactions, as well as information as to whether effective vaccines exist.
If you will be working with biological agents that fall within these regulations then these must be read and the safety and containment measures described therein must be taken into consideration. There is in addition more about risk assessment, control measures, hygiene, safety, training, registration, health screening and punishment if failing to abide to the guidelines.