This course presents introductory information on biosafety, the application of appropriate biological safety and biocontainment principles and practices.
This course is intended for people working in laboratories / laboratory personnel, those involved in designing or managing containment facilities, biosafety professionals, or those with an interest in biosafety.
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
•identify the key components of biosafety
•recognize the types of microorganisms
•be familiar with biosafety practices and responsibilities
•understand and assess risks
•identify the different pathogen risk groups and laboratory containment levels
This course will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.
Course updated in June 2023.
This course presents information on the use of personal protective equipment used in the laboratory.
This course is intended for people working in laboratories / laboratory personnel, those involved in designing or managing containment facilities, biosafety professionals, or those with an interest in biosafety.
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
•identify the purpose of personal protective equipment
•recognize correct use of specific personal protective equipment.
This course will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.
Course updated in February 2017.
This course presents information on the safe use of Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC).
This course is intended for people working in laboratories / laboratory personnel, those involved in designing or managing containment facilities, biosafety professionals, or those with an interest in biosafety.
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
• State the safety considerations when working with BSC
• Identify the elements required for the proper use of a BSC
This course will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.
Course updated in March 2017.
This course presents information about laboratory acquired infections/intoxications.
This course is intended for people working in laboratories / laboratory personnel, those involved in designing or managing containment facilities, biosafety professionals, or those with an interest in biosafety.
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
• Given the description of an infection occurrence, identify if it’s potentially a laboratory-acquired infection.
• Given the description of a laboratory-acquired infection occurrence, identify the possible route of exposure.
This course will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.
Course updated in March 2017.
The Analytical Approach is a tool developed to assist countries or regions build, modernize, or strengthen their national or regional biosafety and biosecurity systems to mitigate the risks of a natural, accidental or deliberate release of biological agents. A complete biosafety and biosecurity system encompasses a legal structure that provides a mandate for an oversight program, along with a policy framework, education and training, and a culture of responsible conduct.
This course is designed for anyone who may be involved in the various stages of developing a national or regional biosafety and biosecurity oversight system within the scientific, legal, political, security or policy disciplines (e.g., government officials, policy analysts, lawyers, researchers, etc.).
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
• explain the context of An Analytical Approach for the Development of a National Biosafety and Biosecurity System
• identify the current situation with regards to the use, and control of the use of pathogens and toxins within your region or country
• identify the key issues, priorities, and risks within your region or country
• explain the key aspects of setting scope and objectives for new system components
• identify the different types of policy instruments that can be used to address identified issues and causes and to meet set objectives
• identify how to combine recommended policy instruments into an overall system
• explain the relevance of international comparison of biosafety/biosecurity systems
• explain the essentials of implementing a national system
• identify the key components of conducting performance measurements and evaluation
• define the methodologies and approaches to ensuring stakeholder engagement
This course will take approximately 6 hours to complete.
This poster describes Biosafety practices in the laboratory.
This poster describes procedures to reduce aerosol hazards in the laboratory.