Past events & courses
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Pre conference course C - Fundamentals of Process Safety in Laboratories
InstructorsJaspreet Chana (UK) and Dan Thomson (UK) Laboratories are dynamic environments where chemical and biological hazards intersect. While occupational safety focuses on protecting individuals from immediate harm, process safety is about preventing incidents that could escalate into major accidents, equipment damage, or containment breaches. This one-day course is designed to bridge the gap between traditional lab safety practices and process safety principles commonly applied in industrial settings. Through a mix of theory, case studies, and interactive workshops, participants will learn how to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls that go beyond compliance, ensuring resilience and reliability in laboratory operations.Read more
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Pre conference course A - Practical Implementation of Biosecurity
InstructorsJane Shallcross (UK) and Rik Bleijs (NL) This full-day course offers a comprehensive introduction to laboratory biosecurity, focusing on the practical implementation of biosecurity policies, guidelines, and risk assessments. Participants will explore the importance of robust biosecurity measures for global health, and learn to identify and address risks across the eight pillars of biosecurity: leadership and governance, risk assessment, personnel reliability, physical security, information security, material control and accountability, transport security, and emergency response.Read more
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Pre conference course E repeat session - BSL-3 Facilities: From Planning to Performance Verification
InstructorsFelix Gmünder (CH) and Timo Kehl (De) The planning, design, construction and performance review of high containment facilities, including BSL-3, ABSL-3 and BSL-3Ag, requires a well thought out approach if the outcome is to meet the intentions of the owner or client and the users.Read more
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Pre conference course H - Evaluating and Embedding Biosafety Skills: From Compliance towards Competence.
InstructorsAdam Stevenson (UK) and Heidi Auerswald (IT) This highly interactive one-day course equips biosafety professionals, laboratory supervisors, and institutional trainers with practical tools to evaluate, strengthen, and embed biosafety competence beyond traditional tick-box training models. Participants will unpack the distinctions between, training, compliance, and competence, and work through hands-on methods to translate those insights into practice. Using a step-by-step improvement plan, each participant will identify key challenges in their home institution and design a 3-month roadmap for upgrading how competence is assessed, reinforced, and sustained. The course draws from ISO 35001, CWA 16335, ISO/TS 5441, and WHO LBM4, and links theoretical frameworks to actionable strategies: job safety analysis, SOP analysis, job specification evaluation, behavioural reinforcement, observation checklists, and building psychological safety. The course is especially valuable for institutions looking to strengthen internal competency frameworks, onboarding, or coaching programs.Read more
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Pre conference course G - BSO Hard Skills: How do you know what you need to know?
InstructorsWendy Shell (AUT) and Chris Pirson (UK) This one-day classroom based, interactive course will give participants an insight into the key technical skills for a successful career in biosafety or biosecurity. For those starting out in the role or considering a career as a Biosafety professional it is necessary to demonstrate competency in several key areas, as defined in Technical Standards such as CWA 16335 and ISO/TS 5441. Through case studies, interactive group exercises and taught learning this course will ensure attendees are able to develop their own training pathway to becoming a Biosafety professional. It will enable individuals to identify gaps in current knowledge, skills or experience and the development opportunities to address these, along with accreditation schemes to demonstrate competency.Read more
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Pre conference course E - BSL-3 Facilities: From Planning to Performance Verification
InstructorsFelix Gmünder (CH) and Timo Kehl (De) SOLD OUT The planning, design, construction and performance review of high containment facilities, including BSL-3, ABSL-3 and BSL-3Ag, requires a well thought out approach if the outcome is to meet the intentions of the owner or client and the users.Read more