Genetic Modification - Keele University
Clouds  

Welcome to

Department of Occupational Health and Safety

 

Department of Occupational Health and Safety

Genetic Modification

(Revised August 2003)

The University has recognised that there are strict safety regulations controlling all contained use work with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the UK since 1978. The legislation has developed over the years partly due to new technology and increased knowledge, and also because of a European Directive on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) - Directive 90/219/EC. This Directive has now undergone major revision which in turn has meant that new national regulations have been implemented. The current Regulations, which replaced the 1992, 1996 and 1998 versions are the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000.

The Contained Use Regulations place a number of statutory duties upon the University in relation to both human health and environmental safety. The full details are outlined in the Regulations and Guidance but the main duties can be summarised as follows:

  • To undertake a risk assessment covering both human health and safety and environmental safety. Whoever undertakes a risk assessment shall appoint a genetic modification safety committee to advise them
  • To ensure that adequate containment facilities and procedures are in place to control any risks to workers and the environment
  • To maintain and test containment equipment at appropriate intervals and where necessary to monitor for the presence of viable process organisms outside of containment
  • To provide adequate training commensurate with the level of risk
  • To formulate and implement local rules
  • To formulate and implement emergency plans and procedures

In recognition of its duty to manage all of these activities, the University has established two Genetic Modification Safety Sub-Committees, one on the main campus, Centre Number GM463, which is managed by the School of Life Sciences, and the other, Centre Number GM392 which is located at Hartshill campus Postgraduate Medicine which is managed by the School of Medicine.

The University, the HSE and the Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification attach great importance to these Sub-Committees which play a key rôle in the organisation of safety procedures.

The constitution of the Sub-Committees includes representatives of both the University and employees with its members also being representatives of all persons having access to genetic modification facilities or who might be exposed to such work. The current membership of the Sub-Committees can be found by contacting the Department of Occupational Health and Safety.

The University has also appointed a University Biological Safety Adviser who attends meetings of the Sub-Committees. To assist anyone who undertakes activities involving GMOs, a Compendium of Guidance has now been produced by the Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (ACGM) which aims to provide details and advice about:

  • Assessing risks to human health and the environment
  • Appropriate containment measures to ensure that any risks identified are controlled so as to ensure safety
  • Regulatory requirements which must be complied with.

A copy of the ACGM Compendium of Guidance is held by the Occupational Health and Safety Unit located in the Dorothy Hodgkin Building.

Further guidance from the ACGM is contained in a series of ACGM Newsletters held by relevant Schools and the DOHS.

Registration and Training of GMO Workers

Before any workers involved with genetic modification activities can commence they are required to be registered by their Schools. A pre-registration requirement includes training by their project supervisor or other suitable person. Training will include aspects of

  • Risk assessment procedures in accordance with the Compendium of Guidance
  • Containment facilities for the particular Class of GMO work undertaken
  • An understanding of Local Rules.

At the end of their training workers will sign a document to declare their full understanding of the above. Registration can then proceed. It is up to the relevant School to devise their own documentation.

Health and Safety Executive

Whereas the Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety is the normal contact point for the Health and Safety Executive, it is recognised that a close dialogue is expected between GMO laboratories or the Genetic Modification Safety Sub-Committees with the relevant Health and Safety Executive GMO specialist inspectors, for example, where there is doubt about the classification of GMO activity or where a change of toxicity is sought for a particular process.

Link to HSE's GMO webpages with contact details and other information