Biorisk, Biosafety and Biosecurity

Introduction

The laboratory environment can be a hazardous place to work. Staffs working in this environment are exposed to potential hazards which include chemical, biological, physical and radioactive hazards, as well as musculoskeletal stress. The inherent risk in the laboratory is often difficult to measure and manage because safety is not an intrinsic, absolute and is often difficult to measure. Therefore, we must continuously asses and manage risk in the laboratory based on current knowledge and purpose and enforce common safety practices to minimize harm or injury to workers and to prevent laboratory and environment contamination

Accidents in the lab occur when staff fails to recognize hazardous situations, diminished concern for risk over period of time, or excessive risk taking. Thus an individual’s behavior influences the degree of occupational risk present in the work place. Risk takes not only expose themselves to laboratory hazards, but also expose colleagues, family, friends, and the environment.

Biological, chemical and radioactive hazards are a major concern for laboratory staff today. This has increased the need for implementation of sound safety standards. Many laboratories use a combination of approaches to ensure staff safety. These measures include engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Duration 5 days

Learning objectives

By the end of the course the participant should be able to exhibit ability to do the following:

• Explain the importance of compliance with general safety and security procedures by individual laboratory members.
• Identify safe work practices that will reduce exposure to safety hazards.
• Identify the purpose of engineering controls and safety equipment available in the laboratory and explain proper procedures for use.
• Appropriately select and use personal protective equipment for laboratory and describe appropriate use based on the procedures being performed.
• Differentiate between categories of biological materials and required packaging and labeling.
• Participate in selecting and carrying out decontamination and sterilization.
• Develop, validate and implement biosafety and biosecurity standard operating procedures.
• Outline the steps in a biorisk management incident response plan and support the development of a plan.
• Explain the purpose of biorisk audits, inspection and assessments and contribute to developing of performance indicators specific to a biorisk management objective.
• Identify decontamination, disinfection, and waste disposal steps and materials to support a waste management plan.
• Classify chemicals with regards to chemical safety and compatibility to support the development of a chemical management plan.

Who should attend?

This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.

Methodology

The course content will be offered through face-to-face teaching, e-learning, practical demonstrations, and group or individual work assignments. The resources required for effective delivery of the Biorisk Laboratory Management Curriculum include but are not limited to: facilitators, audio-visual equipment, networked computers, white boards, flip charts, recommended text books, journals, participant guides and manuals, facilitators’ guides.

• Infectious safety, biorisk and biosecurity
•  Chemical safety/chemical hygiene plan
•  Physical hazards
•  Packaging and transporting infectious goods
•  Hazard control measures
•  Emergency measures
•  Preventive measures
•  Fire safety

1. The participant must be conversant with English.
2. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate
3. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.
4. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and a Certificate upon successful completion of Training for onsite trainings.
5. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.
6. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to AQUTEST INSTITUTE account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.