Biosafety Program
Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment. The goal of the Institute's Biosafety program is to protect the researchers, staff and students from exposure to infectious agents, to prevent environmental contamination, to enhance the research atmosphere, and to comply with federal, state and local regulations.
Bloodborne Pathogens Plan
This Bloodborne Pathogens Plan has been developed by The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) as part of the Florida Tech’s Biosafety Program. Florida Tech’s Bloodborne Pathogens Plan has been developed to ensure that all employees are protected from the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). This Plan has been developed in accordance with the regulations set forth in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.1030: Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
This plan will be applicable to all employees, students, and researchers who could be "reasonably anticipated", as the result of performing their job duties, to come in contact with blood and Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).
Biomedical Waste Plan
This Biomedical Waste Plan is Florida Tech’s Plan for management of biomedical waste production, safety and disposal. Biomedical wastes require careful containment and disposal before collection and consolidation for treatment. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has dictated initial measures for discarding regulated medical-waste items. These measures are designed to protect the workers who generate medical wastes and who manage the wastes from point of generation to disposal (29 CFR 1910.1030).;
The State of Florida under Chapter 64E-16 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) outlines the minimum sanitary practices relating to the management of biomedical waste, including segregation, handling, labeling, storage, transport, and treatment. This chapter applies to all facilities that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste to ensure that the waste is properly handled to protect public health. Further, this chapter prescribes minimum standards for permitting biomedical waste generators, storage facilities and treatment facilities, and for registering biomedical waste transporters.
The purpose of this plan is to ensure that proper management of handling, storing, treating or transporting biomedical waste at the Florida Tech Campus is to provide protection for environmental-service staff, waste handlers, and laboratory staff from risks associated with potentially infectious biomedical waste; and in compliance with all Federal and/or State laws, as well as Chapter 64E-16 of the Florida Administrative Code. This plan includes information on training, procedures for segregating, labeling, packaging, transporting, storing, and treating biomedical waste; procedures for decontaminating biomedical waste spills, and a contingency plan for emergencies.
Biosafety Cabinet Usage
Biosafety cabinet (BSC) is the primary means of containment developed for working safely with infectious microorganisms. Class II BSCs, the most common cabinets used in laboratories, are designed to provide personnel protection (for you and those around you), product protection (for your samples), and environmental protection.
Florida Tech offers a basic-level online course (biosafety cabinet) that provides information on the safe use of biosafety cabinets. Topics covered include major parts of a BSC, how a BSC works, how to work safely inside a BSC, and what to do if there is an emergency while working in a BSC.
Controlled Substance Safety Plan
A number of substances regulated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other agencies are used for research and instructional purposes at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech). These substances are known as "controlled substances," and their possession and use are governed by regulations that require established procedures to ensure safety and prevent abuse. This Controlled Substance Safety Plan (CSSP) describes responsibilities and procedures for research and instructional activities by those individuals who are authorized to work with controlled substances at Florida Tech.
Federal and state regulations require procedures that ensure safe and authorized use of CS at any place of business, research or manufacturing. This CSSP sets forth Florida Tech’s guidelines to ensure that the university’s research and instructional activities involving the receipt, use, disposition and disposal of controlled substances are carried out in accordance with these federal and state regulations.
Infectious Disease Response Plan (IDRP)
The IDRP has been created for Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) to better prepare for a possible infectious disease (agent) incidents or an outbreak (commonly referred to as a “pandemic”). It outlines the steps to take before, during, and after an outbreak to further reduce/eliminate the possibility of occupational exposure to employees, students, residents, and the general public.