The goal of the University of Rhode Island Biosafety Program is to promote safety and minimize the risks of performing biological research to URI staff and students, the community, and the environment by providing scientific review and oversight of biological research.

Biological Research is defined as any laboratory research activity involving:

• Recombinant DNA (rDNA),
• Biological agents (i.e., viable infectious microorganisms – including prions – regardless of their pathogenicity to humans)
• Human or nonhuman primate materials ( (e.g., blood, unfixed tissue, cell lines)
• Biological toxins subject to the National Select Agents Registry Program managed by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA).

Policies and Procedures

• Biosafety Manual
• Appendix A – Exposure Control Plan for Researchers
• Appendix B – Standard and Special Microbiological Practices SOP
• Appendix C – Safe Use of Biosafety Cabinets SOP
• Appendix D – Safe Use of Centrifuges SOP
• Appendix E – Avoiding the Production of Biological Aerosols SOP
• Appendix F – Transporting Biohazardous Materials SOP
• Appendix G – Sharps Handling and Disposal SOP
• Appendix H – Managing Regulated Medical Waste
• Appendix I – Disinfectants for Biohazardous Materials SOP
• Appendix J – Biohazard Spill Management Plan SOP
• Appendix K – Centrifuge Safety Poster
• Appendix L – OSHA Definitions
• Appendix M – Exposure Determination
• Appendix N – Mammalian Cell Culture Risk Assessment SOP
• Appendix O – Preparing Lab Equipment for Servicing or Disposal

• Biosafety Forms, Policies, Templates, Guidance, Tools, and Training Material
• Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Biosafety Training
• How to Prepare a Biowaste/Pathological Waste Box for Transport
• URI Laboratory Waste Guidebook
• Safe Handling and Disposal of Antineoplastic and Other Drugs
• Particularly Hazardous Substances (PHS) Guidance

Forms

• Biohazardous Waste Pickup Request
• 2025 Biowaste Pickup Schedule
• Field Research Safety Plan (template)
• Incident Reporting Form

Resources

• Kimberly Clark Nitrile Glove Chemical Resistance Guide
• American Biological Safety Association (ABSA)
• ABSA Membership – Student Memberships are $25
• ABSA Mentoring Program
• NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
• ABSA Lab-Acquired Infection (LAI) Database 
• CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th Edition
• CDC Guidelines for Safety Work Practices in Human and Animal Medical Diagnostic Laboratories
• URI CITI Guidance: Training 
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
• Pathogen Safety Data Sheets
• CDC Biological Risk Assessment
• Working Safely in a Biosafety Cabinet (LBNL Video)