At Curtin we study pathogenic microorganisms, seeking cures for the diseases of people, animals and plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For information about how to handle the samples, refer to Sections 3-5 of the Australian\/New Zealand Standard 2243.3:2022 Safety in laboratories Part 3: Microbiological safety and containment. Curtin staff and students have access to the Standard through\u00a0Curtin Library\u2019s Intertek Inform account<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can handle your microorganism at the same Physical Containment level as their Risk Group then you don\u2019t need approval from your Biosafety Partner. This includes handling the microorganism entirely within a Class II Biosafety Cabinet if it can be infective via the respiratory route. However, if you need to use non-standard methods, contact your Biosafety Partner<\/a>. They will help you to assess the risks of your methods before you can begin work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend you get the appropriate immunisations listed in The Australian Immunisation Handbook 2018.<\/a> There may be other vaccinations available that are relevant to the samples you are handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend that people who work in labs containing human pathogens get an initial medical examination followed by periodic health monitoring for exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before starting work with microorganisms pathogenic to humans, all lab users must have pre-exposure infection status screening performed. Contact a medical doctor at the Curtin University Health Service<\/a> to discuss pre-exposure infection status screening. You must also initiate health monitoring of all lab users to identify if anyone becomes infected during the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) Regulatory Scheme limits the opportunities for acts of bioterrorism or biocrime to occur using harmful biological agents.Immunisations and Health Monitoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Health Monitoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBAs)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Curtin is not registered to work with SSBAs, so it\u2019s illegal for any of our people to store or work with SSBAs.<\/p>\n\n\n