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BioPath Program

  • Research Safety & Services
  • Occupational Safety & Risk Management
  • Facility Support Services

    • BioPath is the Biohazards Medical Monitoring Program of the University of Florida Occupational Medicine team. Enrollment in the BioPath Program is required for all those working with risk group 3 agents in a BSL3 or ABSL3 laboratory at UF.

    Vendors, contractors, visitors, and maintenance personnel entering non-decontaminated BSL3/ABSL3 areas must enroll in BioPath.

    Enrollment in the BioPath Program does not exempt an individual from the need for enrollment in the Animal Contact Medical Monitoring Program

    It is the responsibility of the supervisor or Principal Investigator to ensure that persons requiring participation in the biohazard medical monitoring program do so and complete and submit the forms. The supervisor acknowledges and signs the enrollment (authorization) form.

    BioPath Approval Process

    BioPath approval at the University of Florida is initiated by the submission of two forms:

    These forms should also be completed initially and any time an individual’s exposure potential changes and on an annual basis.

    BioPath Authorization Form
    1. Department/Supervisor/PI completes the first section of the authorization form including information about the following.
      • Individual – The participant’s UFID must be included on the form. Lack of this UFID will prevent the SHCC review process.
      • Type of work to be done
      • Fiscal information for payment of the health assessment - the fiscal contact and payment for SHCC services must be included on the form. Insufficient payment info will delay risk assessment review.
      • PI/supervisor information -the PI/Supervisor must electronically sign the department section and submit the form to the Biosafety Office using the “Submit Form” button on the form
    2. Department sends the form to the EH&S Biosafety Office by email to BSO@ehs.ufl.edu. The Biosafety Office will:
      • Document any specific risk assessment information.
      • Make respirator use recommendations.
      • Authorize participation in the Program.
    3. EH&S uploads the Authorization Form to the SharePoint Approval List for UF OCCMED Clinic use and notifies the Department/PI and Participant.
    Biohazards Medical Assessment Questionnaire and Health Assessment
    1. Participant completes the questionnaire.
    2. Participant submits the form to the UF OCCMED Clinic by email to OccMedClinic-RiskAssessment@ahc.ufl.edu
    3. Participant calls the OCCMED Clinic at (352) 294-5700 to confirm receipt of the form.
      Participant also confirms the Clinic can see the authorization form on the SharePoint Approval List.
    4. Participant schedules an appointment with the OCCMED Clinic for the health assessment.
      (Exception: Short-term visitors such as guests, vendors or contractors, who will not handle agents do not require the initial health assessment scheduled with the OCCMED Clinic unless specifically requested by the OCCMED provider.)
    5. Participant attends the scheduled health assessment appointment with the OCCMED provider.
    6. OCCMED Clinic enters status record in myUFL with an Exam Type of UF BioPath.
    7. Participant checks status record in myUFL:  My Self Service>Personal Information>UF Health Assessment for final clearance.
    Respirator Training and Fit Test (when required)
    1. Participant completes respirator training online in myTraining before the fit test appointment.
    2. Participant contacts EH&S at (352) 392-1591 for a respirator fit test if medically cleared for respirator use.
    3. EH&S Industrial Hygiene Office completes the fit test.
    4. Participant checks fit test status record in myUFL:  My Self Service>Personal Information>UF Health Assessment.

    University of Florida
    Gainesville, FL 32611
    (352) 392-3261

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