Exposure to biological risks: medical monitoring of research laboratory staff (IP, Inserm, CNRS)

The doctors in the Institut Pasteur's Occupational Health Department and the occupational health physicians at Inserm and the CNRS have drawn up an agreement on monitoring staff exposed to pathogens in research laboratories, with the aim of harmonizing the surveillance practices for these specific staff members.

Standardizing medical surveillance practices for research laboratory staff exposed to biological materials or other risks (chemicals, radioactive materials, psychosocial risks, etc.) is vital to help improve primary prevention. For staff working in BSL2 and BSL3 containment laboratories, exposure to pathogens represents an occupational risk that needs to be evaluated and for which appropriate medical supervision is required.

General guidelines have been established for the surveillance procedures that should be applied to laboratory staff working in BSL2 and BSL3 containment conditions, as well as in the event of accidental exposure to pathogens. It has been decided to stop the practice of conducting initial (t0) serological testing and systematic annual tests for most pathogens.

The existing recommendations concerning some vaccinations (rabies, hepatitis B, etc.) and screening tests (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori) have also been reiterated.

Find out more

Consult the agreement on medical monitoring