Work with human and/or non-human primate materials requires a certified BSL2 laboratory space and approved IBC protocol. Use of human materials is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR, Part 1910.1030.  The University uses this standard in conjunction with the BMBL and TTU OP 60.24 to provide a safe working environment for TTU personnel. Biosafety and Bloodborne Pathogen training are required for faculty who oversee and personnel who work in environments were human and or non-human primate material is handled. 

Human and non-human primate material includes the following at TTU:

1. All fluids and excretions (blood, blood components, urine, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, excrement, synovial fluid, sweat, etc.)
2. Unfixed tissues
3. Fixed or unfixed brain tissue
4. Cells (including established cell lines for cell culture)
5. Any other material of human or non-human primate origin (apart from hair and nails). 

 

Principal Investigators working with postmortem human tissues must obtain licensure through the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC). This is required for compliance with Texas Senate Bill 2040 and the subsequent changes to Texas Health and Safety Code - HEALTH & SAFETY § 691. This license must be renewed with TFSC every 2 years while such samples are present in the laboratory. 

Links and responsibilities regarding licensure are outlined below.

Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator:

• Maintain and amend necessary IBC protocols to address the specific nature of the samples
• Provide copies of all tissue requests to EHS
• Ensure all MTAs are handled by ORS. To inquire about such agreements, email Award Services at ors.awardservices@ttu.edu.
• Develop and maintain appropriate SOPs, personnel training, tissue record systems, and 'cradle-to-grave' chain of custody for work with cadaver tissues.
• Prepare the TFSC Request Form in consultation with EHS and the building coordinator.
  • There is a Facility Inspection Checklist to assist laboratories in passing inspection.
  • The name of the entity should identify the faculty's laboratory to be used for procedures and storage.
  • The “person(s) responsible” identified on the TFSC request include the faculty member who oversees the laboratory. If a second person is identified on the TFSC request, that individual must be a faculty member or professional staff member who oversees research in the laboratory. A graduate student or postdoctoral trainee may not be identified as a responsible person on a TFSC request.
• Identify specific room numbers for procedures and storage
• Pay the non-refundable TFSC inspection fee and other fees should they arise

Responsibilities of Environmental Health & Safety:

• Provide required information from EHS laboratory surveys and conduct necessary environmental tests
• Electronic submission of the request form to TFSC, with copies to all listed “person(s) responsible” and to VPR and AVPR-RR
• Coordination with TFSC before and during the laboratory inspection
• Serve as liaison with TTUHSC and/or qualified vendors for final disposal of tissue.

Email ehs.lab.safety@ttu.edu if you have questions about the use of postmortem tissues.

This page is currently under construction. Contact EHS at 806.742.3876 or email ehs.lab.safety@ttu.edu with your questions.

BioSafety Topics

The links below provide specific information about the BioSafety & BioSecurity Program at Texas Tech.

Academic Safety Resources

Animals & Animal Materials

Arthropods & Vectors

Biological Risk Assessment

Biosafety & Biosecurity Home Page

Biosafety Cabinets and other Engineering Controls

Biosafety FAQs

Biosafety PI Responsibilities

Biosecurity

Biowaste Management

BUGs (Bio-material Use Guides)

Clinical Biosafety

Decontamination

Emergency Response

Human & Non-Human Primate Materials

Laboratory Self-Survey

Microorganisms

Occupational Health Program (OHP)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Plants

Prions

Recombinant/Synthetic Nucleic Acids (r/s NAs)

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Toxins of Biological Origin

Transporting Biological Materials