About Pre conference course D - Biosafety in Action: theory and best practices on safety equipment, with lab demonstration and exercises

This course is intended for novices to practitioners in contained use. 

After introducing the basic concepts about safety equipment (collective and personal equipment), the training will focus on biosafety cabinets (BSC) with particular attention to defining the protection range of each type of BSC and some ways to decontaminate the BSC work surface and HEPA filters. The first course day will also cover personal protective equipment (PPE), focusing mainly on facial masks and gloves. Besides explaining the criteria to consider when selecting the appropriate PPE. 

On the second day, the training will take place in a laboratory. Factors affecting the effectiveness of the BSC (misuse, location, etc.) will be highlighted through a technical demonstration and group exercises including approaches to raise awareness of poor practices that could compromise the effectiveness of protective equipment. 

Learning objectives 

At the end of the training, participants should be able to 

• identify an enclosure protecting the user and the environment from an enclosure solely intended to maintain biological material in sterile conditions
• identify personal protective equipment from medical devices
• explain the main strengths and weaknesses of safety equipment
• describe decontamination techniques for a biosafety cabinet and its HEPA filters
• explain approaches to mask fit testing
• analyse laboratory situations and identify poor/suitable practices  

ISO references (ISO/TS 5441:2024 : Competence requirements for biorisk management advisors) 

7.2.1 Scientific, technical and management background 

7.2.4.3 Selection, verification, certification, and maintenance of equipment 

7.2.5.1 Clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) 

7.2.5.2 Good microbiological techniques (GMT)