Maintain biosecurity procedures and infection controls in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers maintaining and following the required biosecurity procedures and infection controls in a Home Office designated establishment.

This includes the different areas that may house animals either on a permanent or temporary basis, or areas where equipment and consumables are stored, disinfected or sterilised before use in barrier-maintained animal accommodation.

Good hygiene and biosecurity procedures are essential within animal technology. They should be an integral part of the on-going management and key factors in the promotion of animal health and welfare.

The term “animal” is used to cover all species; however, specific species of animals may need different biosecurity measures.

This standard is for animal technologists and support staff in Home Office designated establishments.

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1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain site hygiene and biosecurity procedures and barrier protocols required for the animal areas on site for the following tasks:
   P6.1 cleaning of animal accommodation
   P6.2 cleaning of feeding equipment
   P6.3 sterilisation or disinfection of equipment and consumables
   P6.4 storage and disposal of all types of waste
   P6.5 supply of equipment and consumables into barrier-maintained animal accommodation
   P6.6 entry and exit of barrier-maintained animal accommodation
   P6.7 collection of animals from barrier-maintained animal accommodation
   P6.8 delivery of animals to barrier-maintained animal accommodation
7. identify and follow the organisation’s guidance on barrier protocols, site hygiene and biosecurity procedures
8. confirm that potential contamination to animals and staff is minimised through:
   P8.1 use of engineered solutions such as LEV (local exhaust ventilation) and other engineering controls
   P8.2 provision and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
   P8.3 required standard of hygiene for personnel
   P8.4 correct use of disinfection or sterilisation methods appropriate to items and area
   P8.5 appropriate infection control routines and schedules
   P8.6 specific requirements for infection control, such as the arrival of new animals or working in unfamiliar environments, where there is an increased risk of cross-contamination
9. follow work routines and risk assessment requirements for barrier protocols and biosecurity procedures to minimise potential breaches
10. report any breaches to the integrity of the barriers immediately, in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
11. communicate site hygiene controls and biosecurity procedures and barrier protocols to all the relevant parties including staff, contractors, visitors and customers
12. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by legislation and the organisation

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1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the types and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and dress requirements for site hygiene and biosecurity in animal units in a Home Office designated establishment
4. potential disease risks, the site hygiene and biosecurity procedures and barrier protocols for your area of work and the implications of not following these
5. what is meant by barrier-maintained animal accommodation and the different types of barrier systems in use
6. how to follow site hygiene and biosecurity procedures and barrier protocols in accordance with the relevant legal and organisational requirements and where to seek advice if you have any queries
7. the potential risk of exposure to allergens and infectious microorganisms when working with animal products and equipment
8. the local control measures used to prevent exposure to allergens and microorganisms
9. the likely causes of infection, cross-contamination, and transmission
10. the meaning and significance of the terms:
    K10.1 acute
    K10.2 chronic
    K10.3 vector
    K10.4 fomite
    K10.5 host
    K10.6 notifiable
    K10.7 pathogen
    K10.8 zoonosis
    K10.9 infectious
    K10.10 allergen
11. how the spread of infection or cross-contamination can be minimised
12. the different methods of hand hygiene and their correct use
13. the difference between sterilisation and disinfection and the techniques and materials used for each
14. the importance of your own health and why it is important to report any personal health conditions that may increase the risk of transmission, including immunosuppression and allergies
15. how to inform others of the site hygiene and biosecurity procedures and barrier protocols in place
16. the reporting procedures where barrier integrity may be compromised
17. how to recognise emergencies and the correct procedures to take
18. the hygiene and biosecurity measures required for the handling, storage and disposal of different types of waste
19. the reasons for controlling access to different areas of the work environment and protective barriers
20. the records that need to be kept in relation to biosecurity and infection control and the importance of completing them, in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s procedures

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2

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANAT32

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Animal Technologist, Auxiliary Technician, Hygiene Technician, Licensed Animal Technologist

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6129

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hygiene; biosecurity; cross-contamination; barriers; infection control

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