Research Ethics & Compliance

The Potentially Infectious Material/Bloodborne Pathogens Program affects a variety of areas on campus. Employees and students may perform tasks that involve much more than simply working with human blood. The Bloodborne Pathogens program is housed within EHS.

An employee or student is covered by this policy if they work with or are potentially exposed to any of the following materials:

• Human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.
• Human bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, plural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood.
• Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human living or dead.
• Cell, tissue, or organ cultures from humans or animals unless certified free of bloodborne pathogens.
• Blood, organs, or other tissues from animals unless certified free of bloodborne pathogens.
• Culture medium unless certified free of bloodborne pathogens.

• Bloodborne Pathogens Program
• Example SOP: With thanks to Dr. Jonathan Wingo (Kinesiology) and the Exercise Physiology Lab
• Potentially Infectious Material/Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manual

SAFETY SIGNAGE

• Signage request form through EHS (all research laboratories)
• Laboratories that are designated as BSL2 will need the following: BSL-2 Signage
  • Please contact BSO for suggestions and guidance on the content.
  • Additionally, if you are unable to print in color, we can provide printouts for your lab.
  • Orange BSL2 Signage must be placed on the outer side of the door to the lab. Interconnected labs must post this signage on both entrance doors. 

ADDITIONAL SAFETY SIGNAGE & STICKERS FOR USE IN RESEARCH LABS:

• Download Signs and Stickers (zip file)

Shipping & Receiving Biologicals

When planning to ship/receive biological hazards or specimens, please be aware that there is guidance available through many departments at the University including, Office for Research Compliance, Office for Innovation & Commercialization, and EHS.

1. SHIPPING
   • Biological specimens, human/animal blood or tissue, serum, antibodies, DNA/RNA, etc., are considered hazardous materials and are subject to regulations set forth by numerous federal and international organizations. See: SHIPPING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS below for details.
2. MATERIAL TRANSFER AGREEMENTS (MTA)
   • Many research materials come from our colleagues at other research facilities, the distribution of research results many times includes sharing materials. In these cases, it is best to double-check if you need to complete an MTA to adhere to legal protections afforded by the university. Intellectual property rights can be jeopardized if materials are used without a proper MTA.
     1. MTA Request Form
     2. The sections on incoming/outgoing materials list requirements that must be met.
     3. Materials to be sent outside of the U.S. may be subject to export control laws and regulations.
3. Export License Research Compliance Export Control
4. Import Permit Research Compliance Import Control

Information about ordering biological materials, chemicals, or other items can be found at EHS Ordering/Shipping Information. Shipping biological materials of any type are subject to DOT and/or IATA regulations.

Shipping Hazardous Materials

Contact EHS at (205) 348-5905 for guidance and assistance.

The University of Alabama is responsible for complying with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations as they apply to all areas of our campus. If you intend on shipping potentially hazardous material, including chemicals, biological materials, or dry ice; please follow the EHS guidelines.

Depending upon the mode of transport and destination, hazardous material shipments are regulated by 49 Code of Federal Regulation parts 171-180 and/or International Air Transport Association (IATA). These items must be properly classified, documented, packaged, and handled. Federal law also requires that anyone who is involved in or responsible for preparing or transporting hazardous material, including those who prepare the paperwork for the shipment, MUST have DOT and/or IATA training and certification. Penalties for non-compliance with these rules are significant and could result in fines up to $500,000 and jail sentences up to 5 years.

EHS personnel have the appropriate DOT training to ensure the proper shipment of all hazardous materials.

A hazardous material/dangerous good is any article or substance, which poses an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or personal property when transported.

Examples of these materials include, but are not limited to: (Items in bold are specific to work with biologicals)

• Laboratory chemicals, cryogenic materials, dry ice, and samples containing flammable, toxic, explosive, radioactive, oxidizer, and/or corrosive materials;
• Paints, stains, thinners, refrigerants, aerosols, medicines, pesticides, disinfectants, fuels (diesel, gasoline, ethanol, etc.); or
• Biological specimens, human blood or tissue, animal tissues, serums, antibodies, etc.,
• Equipment containing hazardous materials, such as mercury, compressed gases, batteries (wet, lithium, and dry batteries containing sodium, potassium hydroxide), etc.
• Equipment containing a radiation source or potentially capable of producing a radiation field

Currently, EHS does not ship any Chemicals Of Interest (COI) off-campus and/or to third parties. This includes original shipments, returns, samples, and/or specimens. Additionally, the university’s Campus Mail department cannot ship hazardous materials.

If you must ship hazardous materials, please complete a Request for Shipment of Hazardous Materials.

• Individuals should plan to submit this request at least 3 days in advance to allow sufficient time to obtain supplies that may be needed for the proper packaging and shipping of your material. International shipments can take longer to process.
• Once the proper packing material and authorizations have been obtained, the EHS staff will prepare your material for shipment; including packaging, labeling, and appropriate documentation for the shipment.
• You will receive email updates and tracking information once the shipment is processed.

NOTE: If you are shipping a hazardous material that is a commercially available product, it is often more cost-effective to purchase the material at the location to which you wish to ship. For example, if you are planning field research, requiring the use of hazardous chemicals, you may find it easier and less expensive to have a vendor ship the chemicals directly to your destination.