HSE WEB09: Biological Agents

Practical Guidance on Managing Workplace Risks from Biological Agents

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

Biological agents can present significant workplace health risks in laboratories, healthcare, waste management, agriculture, animal care, food production and many other sectors. These agents may include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other micro-organisms capable of causing infection, allergy, toxicity or other adverse health effects.

HSE WEB09 provides introductory guidance on managing the risks associated with biological agents at work. It is particularly useful for employers and duty holders who need to understand when biological hazards may arise, how risks should be assessed and what control measures may be required.

For LEV and occupational hygiene professionals, the guidance is relevant because exposure to biological agents can occur through inhalation of aerosols, droplets, dusts or contaminated mists. In some workplaces, engineering controls such as containment, local exhaust ventilation, microbiological safety cabinets, fume cupboards or process enclosure may form part of the overall control strategy.

The resource reinforces an important COSHH principle: biological risks should be assessed and controlled with the same level of care as chemical and dust hazards. Effective management requires competent risk assessment, suitable containment, safe systems of work, training, cleaning, maintenance and appropriate health surveillance where required.

Although WEB09 is not an LEV-specific document, it provides useful background for anyone involved in designing, assessing or managing ventilation systems used where biological agents may be present.

View HSE Guide

View Original HSE Guidance

Key Learning Points

Biological agents include micro-organisms and other biological materials that can cause harm.
Exposure may occur through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, mucous membrane contact or sharps injuries.
COSHH applies to workplace exposure to biological agents.
Risk assessment should consider the nature of the agent, route of exposure, task, quantity and likelihood of release.
Control measures may include containment, safe working procedures, cleaning, hygiene controls, PPE and vaccination where appropriate.
Engineering controls can be important where aerosols, droplets, dusts or contaminated mists may be generated.
Workers should receive suitable information, instruction and training.
Incidents, spillages and accidental exposure should be planned for in advance.
Health surveillance may be required where there is a continuing risk to health.
The HSE Approved List of Biological Agents should be consulted where hazard group classification is relevant.

Source Document Information

Organisation: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Document: WEB09 – Biological Agents

Document Type: HSE Web Guidance / Information Sheet

Primary Topics: Biological Agents, COSHH, Biosafety, Exposure Control, Workplace Health

Audience: Employers, Laboratory Managers, Occupational Hygienists, LEV Professionals, Biosafety Officers, Health & Safety Practitioners and Duty Holders

Further Resources

Recommended Learning

Thought Leadership

Biological agents are sometimes treated as a specialist biosafety issue separate from occupational hygiene and ventilation engineering. In practice, the principles are closely linked. Where work activities generate aerosols, droplets or contaminated dusts, exposure prevention often depends on the same core ideas that underpin effective LEV: containment, capture, airflow control and verification.

For LEV professionals, biological agent work is a reminder that the contaminant defines the control strategy. The objective is not simply to move air, but to prevent harmful material reaching the worker, the workplace and the wider environment.

Effective control therefore requires close cooperation between biosafety specialists, occupational hygienists, designers, maintenance teams and duty holders.