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Lab Moves, Closures, or Transfers

Principal Investigators must submit an Amendments to Biosafety Protocols to the Institutional Biosafety Committee to:

• Document new laboratory locations
• Close-out old locations
• Transfer biological materials to a new PI. 

All equipment must be decontaminated prior to removal from the laboratory using a disinfectant appropriate for the agents used in the laboratory. 

Biosafety Protocol

Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)

• BSCs may need to be decontaminated using formaldehyde gas decontamination of HEPA filters and/or wrapped prior to relocating or going to surplus. Call the Biological Safety Office to determine the method of decontamination needed and to arrange for this service.
• Any BSCs to be relocated must be identified and the new proposed location information provided to the Biological Safety Office. We will perform a site assessment of the new location to ensure the location complies with the CDC and NIH standards.
• Once moved, all BSCs must be recertified before re-use. Contact us to schedule recertification.

Biological Materials

All biologicals should be well-contained in sealed, leak-proof, durable, closed containers prior to removal from the laboratory. If shipping biological materials to a new location, the shipper will need to have completed shipping training and the shipments will need to be packaged appropriately. 

Remember, biological materials must be either: 

1. Destroyed.
2. Disposed of properly as Biological Waste (To request biowaste containers call 706-721-2434).
3. Transferred from one laboratory to another laboratory, to a new off-campus location, or to a new PI.
   
   

To maintain the integrity of any biological materials that will remain in storage (i.e., in freezers) during relocation:

1. Remove all breakable items from equipment.
2. Secure tubes and loose objects in lidded boxes/containers to prevent loss, opening or spreading of items.
3. Pack empty spaces in freezers with foam rubber, cardboard or newspaper to prevent shifting during a move. Some equipment may have to be placed on its side. 
4. Close and secure the doors of all equipment to prevent inadvertent opening during moves (please lock or use packing tape).
5. Decontaminate the outside of the equipment using a disinfectant appropriate for the agents used in the laboratory.
   
   

Incubators

Drain and decontaminate incubators, if they are to be moved. 

Additional equipment

All remaining equipment and surfaces in the old laboratory areas must also be decontaminated using a disinfectant appropriate for the agents used in the laboratory.

Completing your move

1. Notify the Biological Safety Office when all above procedures have been completed so that we can fill out a for the old laboratory. This form will need to be completed jointly with the Chemical Safety Office.
2. Once your laboratory is set up (Your equipment is in place, biohazard waste containers are ready to go, BSCs certified), Please make arrangements with the Biological Safety Office for a Laboratory Assistance Visit.