Biosafety
BioSafety provides expertise and consultation on issues related to biological safety with the goal of maintaining a safe workplace, preventing environmental contamination and complying with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
Contact Information
Maya Nair, PhD, RBP(ABSA)
Phone: 817-735-5431
maya.nair@unthealth.edu
Biosafety Officer
Modernizing and Strengthening Oversight of Biosafety
NIH is launching a new Biosafety Modernization Initiative to strengthen biosafety policies, practices, and oversight to keep pace with the evolving risks posed by today’s rapidly advancing science and technology. As part of this initiative, NIH will modernize our existing biosafety policy to holistically address the emergent biosafety needs of today.
Engagement Opportunities
NIH will engage early and often, implementing a comprehensive outreach and engagement strategy to ensure that 21st century biosafety oversight meets the research needs of both today and tomorrow. To support this effort, NIH will initially host focus groups across the country to discuss the shift from a technique-based to a risk-based biosafety framework.
Engagements:
If you were unable to attend or could not view the entire event, of Region 1 Listening Session the recording will be available on the NIH Videocast archive within the next few days.
As Dr. Jorgenson emphasized, community input is central to this effort. To stay updated on all upcoming NIH community events, please visit: https://osp.od.nih.gov/policies/biosafety-and-biosecurity-policy#tab2/.
We also welcome “on-demand” comments at any time through our 24/7 comment form: https://osp.od.nih.gov/help-modernize-and-strengthen-the-oversight-of-biosafety/. The webpage also provides instructions on how to embed the NIH Biosafety Badge on your website to encourage maximum public participation. The badge can be placed on high-traffic institutional sites and will link directly to the comment form.
OCTOBER 2025 -INTERNATIONAL BIOSAFETY BIOSECURITY MONTH
October is International Biosafety Month, established by ABSA International in 2013 to raise awareness of biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management.
For details, visit the ABSA Biosafety and Biosecurity Month website.
This year, UNT Health EHS is promoting the initiative with various activities at the UNT Health Campus.
☣️ BIOSAFETY BIOSECURITY POSTER COMPETITION 🎨
This year we kick start the initiative with the announce ment of Biosafety poster competition for Students and staff across the campus. Please visit the ☣️ BIOSAFETY BIOSECURITY POSTER COMPETITION 🎨 for details.
In celebration of Biosafety and Biosecurity Month, the EHS Biosafety Program hosted a Biosafety/Biosecurity Poster Competition, featuring 27 creative entries from students and staff. The posters were displayed at the Annual Service Expo, where nearly 250 visitors stopped by to view the submissions and cast their votes. Attendees praised the creativity and strong safety messages, making it a challenge to select just one favorite.
The Biosafety Manual
UNT Health Biosafety Manual 23-24
UNT Health has adopted this Biosafety Manual in order to establish a uniform safety program for all laboratory activities involving potentially biohazardous materials. The provisions specified in this Biosafety Manual are applicable to all persons working in laboratories including faculty, students, staff, contractors and visitors. This biosafety program applies to all activities involving recombinant and synthetic deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA and sDNA); genetically modified organisms (animal or plant life) (GMOs), including their release into the environment; potential human, animal or plant pathogens; the use of living organisms (any size or type including GMOs) as control agents for growth, pest control or environmental change; human materials; and the disposal of potentially biohazardous materials.
Forms and SOP for biosafety operations
UNT Health incident report form
UNTHSC-IBC-SOP-for-biohaz-transport
Laboratory Safety Survey Guidance Document 2020
Lab-Equipment-Relocation-Removal-Form 29May 2025
Biological waste removal request
Use this form to make a request for the red box, sharps containers to be picked up. Environmental Health & Safety will pick up the Biohazard bins and Sharps containers. Environmental Health and Safety will replace and provide additional Biohazard bins if needed. Sharps containers will need to be bought by the Labs as needed. Biowaste pickups will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays.