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Use our Facility

Find out how you can use our Infectious Diseases Facility as a internal or external user.

Please contact us to discuss your project proposal. Following approval of the BioCOSHH and SOPs the University Biological Safety Advisor submits the notification of intended work (CBA1 application,  CU2 application for GM contained use) to the HSE on behalf of the PI.  The timescale from submission to clearance of CBA1 application is at least 20 working days, CU2 applications 45 days. On receipt of an acknowledgement letter from the HSE the PI will be notified that the project can commence.

Infectious Diseases Facility project proposal process

  1. Project Outline
  2. BioCOSHH Risk Assessment
  3. Laboratory SOPs
  4. Biosafety Committee Review
  5. HSE notification

Requirements to work at CL3

The University has a legal obligation to ensure all CL3 workers are suitably trained and understand the risks of working with HG3 biological agents and the actions to take in the event of exposure.

Newcastle University user requirements

All workers must comply with the Faculty of Medical Sciences Mandatory Safety Training Matrix 2021 

All new CL3 workers must be able to demonstrate a minimum 12 months laboratory experience at CL2 prior to commencing any CL3 training.

External user requirements

External customers must provide evidence of equivalent level of safety training. Safety training can be provided by University Occupational Health and Safety Services (OHSS).

a)     Basic Health and Safety (e-learning)
b)     Basic Fire Safety (e-learning)
c)     STEP – Slips, Trips e-learning package
d)     Risk Assessment
e)     Biological and GM Safety
f)      Chemical Safety
g)     Transport of Biological Materials
h)     Manual Handling (Emergency responders only)

All new CL3 workers must be able to demonstrate a minimum 12 months laboratory experience at CL2 prior to commencing any CL3 training.

CL3 training

  • Attendance at CL3 Health and Safety Induction
  • Acknowledgement of the IDF H&S Policy and Code of Practice
  • CL3 laboratory practical induction training on the critical systems and entry checks, safe use of MSCs and air flow measurements required, and the use of autoclaves for waste disposal in the Infectious Diseases Facility (IDF).

CL3 competency assessment is against standard operating procedures (SOPs) and completion of CL3 assessment test.

Newly trained workers will work under supervision by an experienced CL3 worker until they have been assessed as competent and sufficiently experienced to work unsupervised. Postgraduate students will always be supervised.

Bookings

Use the links below to book our facility. You will need to provide evidence of training.

Book via PPMS System
Request a new account