The following is a list of response areas.  Select a topic below for general guidance.  For questions, contact the Biosafety Section at 919-515-6858.

Research investigators, diagnostic lab directors, and course instructors using materials that receive Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approval.
  • Spills: Refer to your IBC-approved spill response plan. Only workers that have reviewed and signed the Statement of Informed Consent located in the IBC-approved Biological Use Authorization form may clean spills or handle waste related to the approved project.  Spills involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and/or biosafety level 2 or above must be reported to EHS at 919-515-6858 within 24 hours.
  • Accidents involving exposure (overt or suspected) to materials involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and/or biosafety level 2 or above must be reported to the supervisor immediately. Flush or wash the wound immediately and seek medical attention.  For serious medical emergencies dial 911.  Do not wait for signs/symptoms to develop. Employees use the Supervisor’s Medical Treatment Authorization form and report immediately for medical care.  Students report immediately to Campus Health Services. Supervisors complete the Supervisor First Report of Incident and submit it according to the instructions on the form.  Areas with biohazard exposure risk should be posted with this Exposure to Biological Material Diagram.   Supervisor implements control measures as necessary with EH&S assistance to prevent additional exposures.
  • Loss of materials that require IBC approval must be reported to EHS at 919-515-6858 within 24 hours.
  • If theft is suspected, immediately notify EHS 919-515-6858 and also University Police at 919-515-3000.
  • Release to the environment of materials that require IBC approval including untreated, improperly treated, or treated with improper validation biowaste must be reported to EHS at 919-515-6858 immediately.

 

Non-research related exposure of employees, students, and volunteers to infectious / communicable agents on campus.

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University workers who may have exposure to human blood, blood products, tissues, or cells.
  • All workers are evaluated by their supervisor for inclusion into the university’s OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens program. Examples of job duties include (but not limited to):
    • Staff with job duties that require them to protect others by immediately cleaning up small blood spills or confine large spills for proper clean-up
    • Laboratory workers handling human blood, tissue, or established human cell lines or waste from such procedures
    • Designated emergency teams that perform spill clean-up response
    • Human health care providers (i.e., Campus Health Services, Athletics)
    • Follow the instructions in your Exposure Control Plan:

On Raleigh Campus

  1. Wash the injured/exposed area thoroughly for at least five minutes with soap and water and/or flush eyes or mucous membranes immediately. Allow the wound to bleed freely for a minute.  Apply sterile gauze or bandage if necessary.
  2. Dial 911 from a campus phone or Dial 919-515-3000 from a cell phone to speak with NC State University Emergency Personnel for advice and directions on transportation to Rx Urgent Care. Indicate that you were injured and/or exposed to human blood.
  3. Notify your supervisor and report for medical care within two hours.
  4. Student employees report to Campus Health Services. If Campus Health Services is closed, follow the steps below for all other employees.
  5. All non-student workers (or if Campus Health is closed) take the Workers’ Comp Treatment Authorization form with you.
  6. If the exposure occurs Monday – Friday: 8 a.m – 8 p.m. or Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. report to:
    • Rx Urgent Care
    • 3100 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
    • (919) 719-2250
  7. If the exposure occurs when Rx Urgent Care is closed, or Rx Urgent Care will not open within 2 hours, report to:
    • Rex Hospital Emergency Room
    • 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC
    • (919) 784-3100
  8. Employees reporting to Rex Hospital Emergency Room must also report to Rx Urgent Care the next day at 8 a.m. Monday-Friday or at 9 a.m. on Saturday/Sunday and complete paperwork to have medical records transferred to Rx Urgent Care.
  9. If possible take information about the source of your exposure with you. If possible bring the source individual with you.
  10. Workers Compensation forms will need to be completed within 24 hours of exposure.
  11. Supervisor implements control measures as necessary with EH&S assistance to prevent additional exposures.

Off Raleigh Campus

  1. Wash the injured/exposed area thoroughly for at least five minutes with soap and water and/or flush eyes or mucous membranes immediately. Allow the wound to bleed freely for a minute.  Apply sterile gauze or bandage if necessary.
  2. Proceed to hospital emergency room or outpatient clinic within two hours.
  3. Take the Workers’ Comp Treatment Authorization form with you. Indicate that you were injured and/or exposed to human blood.
  4. Dial 919-515-3000 to speak with NC State University Emergency Personnel to report the exposure. Indicate that you were injured and/or exposed to human blood.
  5. Notify your supervisor.
  6. Employees must also contact Rx Urgent Care the next day at 8 a.m. Monday-Friday or at 9 a.m. on Saturday/Sunday. Dial 919-719-2250 to speak with the clinician on call for assessment.  Indicate that you were injured and/or exposed to human blood as an employee of NC State University.
  7. If possible take information about the source of your exposure with you. If possible bring the source individual with you.
  8. Workers Compensation forms need to be completed within 24 hours of exposure.
Campus Health Center
  • Student employees report to Campus Health Services. If Campus Health Services is closed, follow the steps for all other employees.
  • Campus Health Center offers a Travel Clinic which provides comprehensive and personalized recommendations, medications and vaccinations based upon both your destination and your itinerary. Employees on official university travel are advised to schedule your visit with enough lead time to allow for needed vaccinations and prescriptions.
Veterinary Hospital’s Infectious Disease Control Committee (IDCC)
  • Identification of suspect zoonotic exposure at the Veterinary Hospital is reviewed and communicated as appropriate by the Infectious Disease Control Committee. For more information, contact the VTH Hospital Administrator.
Concern for exposure by casual contact to an individual with an illness on campus
  • Employees report to their supervisor and take leave as necessary according to Human Resources leave Administration and Employee Relations.
  • If immediate threat or medical emergency dial 911 or 919-515-3000.
  • During normal business hours, supervisor notifies EH&S at 919-515-6858. After hours, supervisor notifies 919-515-3000 to contact EH&S Biosafety Officer for support and provides Name, Department, and Contact number.
Sporadic cases and/or small clusters of laboratory-confirmed disease on campus (Mumps, Norovirus, mononucleosis, chicken pox)
  • Campus Health Services notifies campus as appropriate and, as appropriate for tracking purposes, may partner with EH&S and/or the local Health Department.
Foodborne illness suspected from food consumed on campus or venue
  • Contact the Director of Dining Services at 919.513.5310.