ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES
October 24-26, 2025
Sunday, October 26, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
15. Advanced Risk Assessment
In this advanced and interactive course, attendees will evaluate a variety of challenging scenarios based on actual research protocol submissions and real-world events from multiple risk perspectives. Attendees will work in teams to conduct risk assessments on a diverse selection of scenarios that will include multiple systems used in research as a research project progresses from discovery to cell culture, to small animal models using recombinant materials, and human clinical trials. Risk assessments will focus on the likelihood of exposure and the severity of consequences from exposure to the multitude of hazards encountered in increasingly complex research as well as the surprises that may come across the biosafety officer’s desk. Attendees will be challenged to consider additional risks aside from infection and how best to mitigate them. Attendees should have a thorough understanding of pathogenic microorganisms, rDNA principles, other infectious substances and the link between biosafety, risk assessment, and risk mitigation for this advanced course. There is an emphasis on the interactive nature of the risk assessment process and differing views of risk tolerance will be considered; attendees should be prepared to participate in discussions and bring interesting or difficult examples of interest to them to discuss with the class.
Objectives:
- Prioritize risks based on the likelihood and consequences of an occurrence
- Identify risks requiring mitigation and mitigation strategies to minimize the unacceptable risks
- Identify institutional and external partners to help implement mitigation strategies
- Evaluate mitigation strategies for effectiveness, adjust strategies as warranted
Suggested Background: Fundamentals of Biosafety, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, Basic Risk Assessment, Principles & Practices of Biosafety
Target Audience: Experienced Biosafety Professionals, Laboratory Workers
Audience Level: Advanced
COURSE FACULTY
CONTACT HOURS
This course has been approved for 1.0 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. This course is approved for 7.5 P.A.C.E.® contact hours.
Sunday, October 26, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
16. ISO35001 Implemenation Workshop
In 2019, ISO published a new biorisk management standard that many biomedical research laboratories all over the world are adopting. This workshop will provide presentations, facilitated discussions, and tools to introduce concepts related to biosecurity and biosafety (biorisk) management systems. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of biorisk management (BRM) systems and learn to apply the ISO 35001 framework as a strategic planning tool. The course guides participants in mapping their current systems to the ISO standard, identifying gaps, and prioritizing improvements to enhance biosafety and biosecurity practices. Using the ISO 35001 as a planning and mapping tool, will enable institutions to effectively identify, assess, control, and monitor the laboratory biosafety and biosecurity risks associated with hazardous biological materials using the concept of continual improvement through the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) principle.
Objectives:
- Identify the key elements of a BRM system based on the review sections of the ISO 35001 BRM system standard
- Map existing BRM systems to the ISO 35001 and identify both strengths and opportunities to improve existing system
- Prioritize elements or areas that need improvement
- Select an area for improvement and identify a simple, short term, project idea to help strengthen one element within the existing system
Suggested Background: None
Target Audience: Experienced Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals
Audience Level: Advanced
COURSE FACULTY
CONTACT HOURS
This course has been approved for 1.0 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. This course is approved for 7.5 P.A.C.E.® contact hours.