Saturday, October, 10, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

1. BSL-3 Operations and Management

This course will review the important aspects of BSL-3 Operations and Management from two points of view; “hardware” (i.e., facilities & equipment issues) and “software” (i.e., administrative controls). It will cover various aspects you need to consider in order to operate a BSL-3 facility, such as training, maintenance support, occupational health, waste management, maintenance, performance verification, and emergency response. The instructors will encourage interaction and the exchange of experiences among the attendees. Regulatory aspects from any specific country, or planning, design, or construction-related issues will not be covered.

Objectives:

• Describe the elements of BSL-3 Operations and Management (risk management, primary barriers, annual performance verification, emergency response, etc.)
• Recognize institutional, management, and user responsibilities
• Summarize approaches to developing manuals, SOPs, and training

Suggested Background:

Basic Risk Assessment and familiarity with BSL-3 Concepts

Target Audience:

Safety Professionals, BSL-3 Managers, Containment Engineers, Lab and Scientific Directors

Audience Level:

Basic

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.

Saturday, October, 10, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

4. Applying ANSI/ASSP Standard Z16.1-2022 “Safety and Health Metrics and Performance Measures”—Concepts to Biosafety Program Operations and Management

Recognizing the need to improve and standardize health and safety program metrics and performance measures, the American National Standards Institute collaborated with the American Society of Safety Professionals to create “ANSI/ASSP Z16.2 – 2022 Safety and Health Metrics and Performance Measures”. The standard describes the types of measures and metrics that safety programs should consider for programmatic decision-making and for communications to management and other stakeholders. The team assembled to create this standard possessed an impressive breadth of knowledge and experience across a variety of health and safety settings, however lacked specific involvement from the biosafety perspective. Given the preeminence of ANSI and ASSP recommendations, this course will first summarize the content of the ANSI/ASSP report and then provide tangible examples of how actual biosafety program data can be collected, displayed, communicated, and used as the basis for programmatic decision-making while meeting the criteria described in the report. The course will include small-group discussions focused on which data are currently being collected, and which are needed by leadership. Attendees are asked to come prepared to describe their respective measures and metrics, as well as the parameters other stakeholders are seeking, with ample time allotted for questions and discussion.

Objectives:

• Describe the metrics and performance measures recommended by ANSI/ASSP and their associated key characteristics
• Explain the concept of a balanced set of metrics
• Identify basic biosafety program measures and metrics that are used to assess program performance and provide the basis for comparisons to others
• Summarize methods and settings where measures and metrics can be used to improve visibility and support for their biosafety programs

Suggested Background:

None

Target Audience:

All Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals

Audience Level:

Basic

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.

Saturday, October, 10, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

5. Risk Assessment to Reality: Translating Biorisk Assessment into Proportionate Controls and Facility Decisions

Biological risk assessment is a foundational requirement for biosafety and biosecurity programs; however, many organizations struggle to translate assessment outputs into defensible, proportionate, and sustainable controls. Too often, risk assessment remains a paper exercise, disconnected from operational decision-making, or leads to over-engineering solutions that strain resources without improving safety. This course offers a decision-driven, lifecycle-based approach that bridges the gap between biological risk assessment and real-world implementation. Attendees will learn how to convert biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment findings into practical control strategies, SOPs, training priorities, and infrastructure decisions that are fit for purpose and aligned with international expectations.The course integrates biosafety and biosecurity perspectives, addressing agent- and procedure-based hazards alongside threat and vulnerability considerations. Emphasis is placed on proportionality, justification of controls, and the avoidance of both under- and over-engineering. Through guided exercises and tabletop scenarios, attendees will practice translating risk characterization into engineering, administrative, and operational controls, including implications for laboratory design, containment features, and facility management. Designed for professionals working in laboratories, research institutions, and regulatory or oversight roles, this course equips attendees with tools to support defensible decision-making, enhanced institutional governance, and strengthened linkage between risk assessment, operational practices, and infrastructure planning.

Objectives:

• Analyze biological risks using integrated biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment frameworks that consider agents, procedures, exposure pathways, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Develop proportionate and defensible control strategies by translating risk assessment outputs into engineering, administrative, and operational controls
• Evaluate facility and infrastructure decisions to ensure they are fit for purpose, risk-informed, and aligned with institutional needs and international best practices

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety, Risk Assessment, Basic understanding of laboratory biosafety concepts, Prior exposure to risk assessment principles (formal or informal)

Target Audience:

All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Managers and Directors, Researchers and Principal Investigators

Audience Level:

Intermediate

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, 11, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

8. Facility Commissioning and Recommissioning for the BSL-3 Laboratory

The biosafety professional can assist with the start-up or maintenance of laboratory operations in support of their biosafety programs by understanding the commissioning and recommissioning processes. Laboratory commissioning, identified in containment guidance documents, is a quality assurance process for the effective functioning of biocontainment laboratories. The biosafety officer and other decision makers benefit by having a basic understanding of the commissioning and recommissioning processes and resulting documentation. This course will review the phases of the new facility commissioning process and similar process for recommissioning. This knowledge base allows the biosafety professional to recognize how commissioning assists in providing and documenting a properly operating facility. A review of the secondary containment features of the BSL-3 laboratory will be discussed and note specific issues typically observed. There will be a focus on two issues, the reversal of directional airflow and sealing of surfaces and penetrations. Attendees will consider methods to identify the issues and present some specific mitigations of these issues; can actively participate in the commissioning/recommissioning processes and understand the methodology, the tools, results, and their interpretation; will know their facility operates correctly, its limitations, and the risk when it does not. This knowledge allows the biosafety professional to check or back check the containment spaces’ performance and use this knowledge to perform daily inspections for maintenance or replacement and control risk to the lowest level. The biosafety professional can identify required features in a new laboratory or review an existing lab with a better understanding of typical issues to assure safe reliable operations.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the overall commissioning and recommissioning processes for containment labs
• Describe the engineering controls required and effectively participate in the processes
• Identify typical issues observed during commissioning/recommissioning of the laboratory secondary containment barriers and the options for practical solutions to those issues
• Demonstrate a knowledge base and provide documentation to better perform daily inspections to reduce risk for safe and reliable laboratory operations

Suggested Background:

None

Target Audience:

All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers, Operations and Maintenance Personnel

Audience Level:

Intermediate

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.

Saturday, October, 10, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

2. Basic Risk Assessment

Rapid scientific and technological advances continue to challenge the biosafety community in determining and establishing the practices and containment necessary to avoid exposure to hazardous biological agents and materials found in the laboratory. This introductory course will provide an opportunity to incorporate the basic knowledge and skills necessary to perform risk assessments for working safely with pathogens (human and animal) and rDNA (genetically modified organisms or viral vectors). Using case studies, attendees will work together to conduct risk assessments by determining the hazards involved; the appropriate questions to ask to address the potential risks associated with the intended activities and make recommendations on appropriate containment and practices required to work safely. Each group will present their conclusions from the activity.

Objectives:

• Identify and list determinants for assessing risk (host, environment, agent)
• Complete the steps of a risk assessment and determine steps to manage risk (mitigation)
• Identify resources and references for risk assessment/management

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety

Target Audience:

New Biosafety Professionals, Laboratory Workers, All Safety Professionals

Audience Level:

Basic

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.

Saturday, October, 10, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

3. Preparing for and Responding to Laboratory Emergencies – Are you prepared?

Biosafety professionals often provide fundamental training for research and healthcare staff to work safely and respond to potential emergencies involving a wide range of biological hazards. Training employees to proactively identify and take appropriate actions to minimize the likelihood and impact of these types of incidents helps to minimize the development of serious and/or irreversible consequences. This class reviews the process for developing an effective emergency response plan, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and well-coordinated training program for laboratory staff, institutional incident response team members, and local first responders (e.g., emergency management services, fire, police, emergency dispatchers) when biological hazards are involved. Specific topics to be addressed include: the basic components of a comprehensive institutional emergency response plan; laboratory-specific contingency plans, emphasizing unique considerations for emergencies that involve biological hazards; staff roles and responsibilities during emergencies; communication strategies and protocols during an emergency event; and training and effective preparedness exercises to ensure a coordinated response effort.

Objectives:

• Review key components of the emergency management cycle as it applies to research institutions and laboratories
• Identify the various roles and responsibilities that are critical to an effective response
• Summarize ways to coordinate and communicate effectively with institutional and local authorities during an emergency
• Develop effective training strategies to ensure a successful response effort

Suggested Background:

Biosafety and Biosecurity Training Course^® (BBTC)

Target Audience:

New Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers

Audience Level:

Basic

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, 11, 2026, 8:00 – 12:00 pm

10. Exercising Training: Using Impactful Interactive Experiences to Enhance Biorisk Management Learning

This course will reinforce the importance of using diverse teaching methods to enhance biorisk management learning. The central goal of this course is to provide a mechanism to extend discussion and awareness of critical educational topics by utilizing exercises that provide a chance for attendees to practice, lead, and teach as part of their learning. All exercise components are systematically designed and documented to enhance knowledge retention and learning outcomes beyond those achieved through passive biorisk management presentations alone. The instructor will use and demonstrate a number of exercise methods that can be utilized as presented or as a framework for the development or update to site-specific exercises at the attendee’s institution. The exercises provided have encouraged participant engagement during the instructor-led biorisk management training. Attendees will engage in select hands‑on exercises to gain practical experience and will receive a library of training exercises for potential integration into their existing courses.

Objectives:

• Apply the foundational training principles through the use of real‑world examples and small‑group activities
• Develop hands-on practical exercises to help reinforce important biorisk management teaching items
• Identify different techniques that can be modified to fit site-specific training needs in a variety of venues
• Demonstrate engagement in existing training by integrating appropriate exercises and drills into current course content

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety

Target Audience:

Mid-Experienced Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals

Audience Level:

Advanced

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 3.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Sunday, October, 11, 2026, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

11. Handling Critical Situations in Laboratories and Clinical Areas

Laboratories and healthcare environments operate in increasingly complex risk landscapes shaped by emerging pathogens, rapidly evolving technologies, global research collaboration, and changing epidemiological conditions. Regardless of location or resources, laboratories must be prepared to anticipate, prevent, and respond effectively to critical situations that may threaten personnel safety, institutional operations, and public health. This course provides a modern, risk-based framework for preparedness and response to emergencies in laboratory and clinical settings. While biological risk assessments help identify hazards and mitigation measures, they do not eliminate the possibility of incidents. Institutions must develop adaptive preparedness strategies supported by structured training, clear communication, and coordinated response procedures. Attendees will examine how emergency preparedness plans should function as living documents, continuously improved through lessons learned from incidents, evolving technologies, and international best practices. The course addresses a wide range of potential emergencies encountered in laboratories and healthcare facilities, including biological exposures, chemical or radioactive spills, medical emergencies, security incidents, natural disasters, and occupational injuries. Attendees will learn to integrate risk assessment into emergency planning while evaluating personnel readiness and strengthening institutional preparedness, with emphasis on communication, coordination, and decision‑making during critical situations. The course incorporates case studies, real-world incident analyses, and scenario-based exercises that allow attendees to apply risk assessment and emergency response principles to realistic situations while exchanging experiences across institutions and countries.

Objectives:

• Identify and categorize potential laboratory or clinical emergency scenarios, including biological, chemical, medical, security, and natural hazards
• Conduct risk assessments of laboratory and clinical processes to identify hazards, evaluate potential impacts, and assess personnel competence in recognizing and managing risks
• Apply risk-informed communication and decision-making strategies to support coordinated incident response and promote a culture of safety, preparedness, and continuous improvement

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety, Principles and Practices of Biosafety^® (PPB), Risk Assessment

Target Audience:

New Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers

Audience Level:

Intermediate

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 3.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Sunday, October, 11, 2026, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

13. Nanoparticles in Modern Science – Understanding Hazards, Controls, and Safe Practices

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing many areas of modern life, offering innovative solutions across medicine, science, engineering, and technology. Nanoparticles (NPs), with their unique properties, are defined by composition, size, shape, and surface characteristics, hold significant promise in these fields. However, these same properties present challenges in recognizing, evaluating, and mitigating potential environmental, health, and safety risks associated with the production and application of nanoparticles. This course introduces the types, properties, production and synthesis of nanoparticles, focusing on their interactions with biological systems and associated chemicals, as well as potential implications of radiolabeled nanoparticles. This understanding is crucial for developing effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies for both in-vivo and in-vitro applications. It covers biosafety, biosecurity, and occupational health risks, emphasizing hazard identification, control measures, and knowledge gaps in nanotechnology. The case studies will be based on published research and will be presented in a structured format that helps attendees understand the complexity of real-world nanotechnology projects. Through case studies and interactive exercises, attendees will explore best practices for safe handling, waste management, exposure assessment, and transport of nanoparticles. These hands-on activities will reinforce key concepts, fostering peer learning and collaboration. Adequate time, along with a risk assessment template, will be provided for team-based risk assessments and the development of safety recommendations.

Objectives:

• Identify common types of nanoparticles and their key properties
• Evaluate potential risks and safety concerns associated with the production and use of nanoparticles, including occupational exposure and environmental impacts
• Develop and implement effective risk management strategies for laboratory projects involving nanoparticles, including hazard identification, exposure controls, and best practices for safe handling, waste disposal, and transport

Suggested Background:

None

Target Audience:

New Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals, Animal Caretakers, Lab Safety Professionals

Audience Level:

Basic

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 3.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Sunday, October, 11, 2026, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

14. Lessons Learned to Improve Biosafety

Preventing laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) is a challenge for laboratory managers and biosafety professionals, especially when dealing with an emerging pathogen. It is extremely important to quickly determine if there has been an exposure, how many may have been exposed, what steps need to happen next, including any prophylaxis, root cause analysis, gaps in the biosafety plan, and additional mitigation measures that need to be implemented. This interactive course will examine published papers from the ABSA LAI Database on laboratory acquired infections and exposures to determine what we can learn to prevent future exposures. Attendees will thoroughly examine the literature on the history of lab-acquired infections, review specific published articles, utilize the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) ‘Laboratory Exposure Assessment and Symptom Monitoring Guide’ (exposure assessment tool) to assess exposures, analyze data to identify root causes of exposures, discuss identified gaps, and establish additional steps required to mitigate risks. Attendees will be equipped with the skills to assess and mitigate exposure risks using the APHL Exposure Assessment Tool. Attendees will engage in scenario-based group exercises, applying a structured process to evaluate potential exposures, conduct root cause analyses, identify procedural gaps, and develop effective mitigation strategies. Through hands on practice and guided instruction, attendees will learn to incorporate published data on laboratory acquired infections (LAIs) to strengthen biosafety protocols, with particular emphasis on managing risks associated with emerging pathogens.

Objectives:

• Describe how the ABSA LAI database can be used for biosafety training and determining how to safely work with emerging pathogens
• Utilize the APHL exposure assessment tool to assess real-life laboratory incidents for potential exposures and to help guide prophylaxis if indicated
• Analyze actual laboratory incidents to determine the root cause and what steps are necessary to mitigate future incidents

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety, Risk Assessment

Target Audience:

All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers

Audience Level:

Intermediate

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 3.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Sunday, October, 11, 2026, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

15. IACUC Ready: A Four Hour Bootcamp for Biosafety Professionals

This course will equip biosafety professionals with the basic knowledge and skills to transition seamlessly into Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) service. Through interactive lectures, case studies, role-playing, and hands-on exercises, attendees will learn about the IACUC’s role and responsibilities; the U.S. regulatory framework for research involving animals; and opportunities for biosafety professionals to make impactful contributions to the oversight of these activities. Upon course completion, attendees will have the confidence and basic skills to serve on the committee and leverage their biosafety expertise with the responsible care and use of animals in science.

Objectives:

• Describe the IACUC structure, roles, and regulatory requirements within the current regulatory framework
• Interpret the protocol review process and strategies for incorporating risk assessment of biosafety concerns into the process
• Develop practical skills to contribute effectively as a voting or non-voting IACUC member during the protocol review process, program reviews, facility inspections, and post-approval monitoring program

Suggested Background:

None

Target Audience:

All Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals

Audience Level:

Basic

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 3.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Saturday, October, 10, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

6. Pharmaceutical Biosafety Officer Training Course

The course is intended for Pharma Biosafety Officers (BSOs), BSOs with interest in the biopharmaceutical industry, and can be a complimentary course to ABSA International’s Principles and Practices of Biosafety^® (PPB). The curriculum begins with a comparison of academic and pharmaceutical biosafety models, examining U.S. and international regulatory frameworks and regional requirements, introducing the Biorisk Management Standard (ISO 35001) and related ISO safety standards, and highlighting core competencies for Pharma BSOs operating within complex organizations. Building on regulatory foundations, the course explores biosafety in biologics and novel pharmaceuticals—including antibody-drug conjugates, mRNA and lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors, and gene therapies. Key concepts include biosafety levels (infection risk management) and exposure control banding (potency/toxicity of ingredients) for managing infection risk, ingredient potency, and hybrid biological–chemical hazards, followed by alignment of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) principles with biosafety requirements; engineering topics cover HVAC analysis, workflow and equipment layout, Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), room pressurization, decontamination methods (e.g., autoclaves, HEPA filtration, kill tanks, chemical treatments), and process equipment containment through group exercises. Finally, attendees explore how organizational risk tolerance influences biosafety through a hands-on risk assessment workshop spanning research, manufacturing, and clinical settings, featuring simulated approval processes (e.g., Institutional Biosafety Committee), collaborative review, case scenarios, group discussion, and Q&A.

Objectives:

• Compare and contrast key regulatory frameworks, including the differences between academic and pharmaceutical biosafety models, essential USA and international regulations, the Biorisk Management Standard (ISO 35001), and recommended competencies for Pharma Biosafety Officers
• Apply biosafety principles to advanced pharmaceutical modalities such as biologics, mRNA technologies, antibody-drug conjugates, and gene therapies, including strategies for managing infection risk (biosafety levels) and chemical/biological hybrid hazards (exposure control banding)
• Integrate Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) with biosafety program requirements by analyzing engineering controls, facility design (HVAC, Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)), decontamination methods, and by conducting risk assessments in research, manufacturing, and clinical environments

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety, Micro/Molecular Biology 101, Principles and Practices of Biosafety^® (PPB), Risk Assessment, Virology/Viral Vectors

Target Audience:

All Biosafety Professionals, Pharma EHS Professionals interested in biosafety upskilling

Audience Level:

Intermediate

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, 11, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

7. Facilities Fundamentals for Biosafety Professionals

This course is aimed at strengthening biosafety professionals knowledge of how facility operations support overall biocontainment operations. Through a mixture of presentations from experts in the field and interactive exercises, attendees will reinforce their knowledge of facility system function and their roles in facility design, construction, and operation. The target audience for the course is biosafety professionals who come with backgrounds other than facilities, and it is open to both newcomers and seasoned veterans in the field. The first portion of the course will familiarize attendees with the general concepts biosafety-related facility design and their roles in it, along with the fundamentals of HVAC system operation in the context of BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities. Topics in this portion of the course include: the role of biosafety personnel in biocontainment facility design, renovation, and operations, understanding design drawings and related construction documents, what the relationship is of facility features to biosafety levels, and HVAC components and their function relative to biocontainment. This section will end with the introduction of an interactive exercise on reviewing design drawings. The instructors will lead interactive exercises and discussions of more detailed aspects of containment facilities and their operation, including: specific infrastructure, equipment, and systems related to operation of a biocontainment facility; autoclave function, waste management, associated facility infrastructure; room decontamination in relation to facility components; interactions between facilities and containment equipment; security, operations, and biosafety.

Objectives:

• Restate the roles of biosafety professionals in facility design and operation
• Explain practical approaches for reviewing design documents
• Describe the function of discrete facility infrastructure, equipment, and systems related to biocontainment facility operations

Suggested Background:

Fundamentals of Biosafety, Principles and Practices of Biosafety^® (PPB), Risk Assessment

Target Audience:

All Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals

Audience Level:

Basic

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, 11, 2026, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

12. Introduction to Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Biosafety Professionals

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have advanced to the point of serving as useful tools in biomedical research, including research involving biohazardous materials. AI is frequently utilized to aid researchers in writing and preparing presentations. Recently, AI has shown to be as competent as PhD level microbiologists in troubleshooting microbiological experiments. This course will introduce robotics and AI to biosafety professionals within the context of biomedical research and research oversight. The course will include several videos to demonstrate concepts and start discussions about feasibility, safety, security, potential for misuse, and ethics.

Objectives:

• Summarize the fundamentals of robotics as they apply to the laboratory setting and biosafety
• Paraphrase the fundamentals of AI
• Discuss how robotics and AI can impact experimental design, risk assessments, laboratory culture, scientific writing and IBC review

Suggested Background:

None

Target Audience:

All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers, Anyone involved in IBC, IACUC, or IRB review

Audience Level:

Basic

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 3.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

16. Commissioning and Recommissioning for BSL-3 Containment Laboratory

By understanding the commissioning and recommissioning processes, it can assist the biosafety professional in start-up or maintaining their laboratory operations to perform the program. Laboratory commissioning, identified in containment guidance documents, is a quality assurance process for the effective functioning of biocontainment laboratories. The biosafety officer and other decision makers benefit by having a basic understanding of the commissioning and recommissioning processes and resulting documentation. This course will review the phases of the new facility commissioning process and similar process for recommissioning. This knowledge base allows the biosafety professional to recognize how commissioning assists in providing and documenting a properly operating facility. A review of the secondary containment features of the BSL-3 laboratory will be disucssed and note specific issues typically observed. There will be a focus on two issues, the reversal of directional airflow and sealing of surfaces and penetrations. Participants will consider methods to identify the issues and present some specific mitigations of these issues; can actively participate in the commissioning/recommissioning processes and understand the methodology, the tools, results, and their interpretation; will know their facility operates correctly, its limitations, and the risk when it does not. This knowledge allows the biosafety professional to check or back check the containment spaces’ performance and use this knowledge to perform daily inspections for maintenance or replacement and control risk to the lowest level. The biosafety professional can identify required features in a new laboratory or review an existing lab with a better understanding of typical issues to assure safe reliable operations.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the overall commissioning and recommissioning processes for containment labs
• Articulate the engineering controls required and effectively participate in the processes
• Identify typical issues observed during commissioning/recommissioning of the laboratory secondary containment barriers and the options for practical solutions to those issues
• Demonstrate a knowledge base and provide documentation to better perform daily inspections to reduce risk for safe and reliable laboratory operations

Suggested Background: None
Target Audience: All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers, Operations and Maintenance Personnel

Audience Level: Intermediate

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.

Tuesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 17, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM CDT

1V. Plant and Arthropod Biosafety Basics

Plant research is the backbone of both genetically modified, disease resistance, and breeding of both academic and biotechnology research. Attendees will discover what is needed to design a greenhouse and lab that will contain genetically modified material and insects as well as an overview of Arthropod Containment Levels. This course will feature a diverse array of advanced scenarios and interactive exercises showcasing the spectrum of biological, genetically modified, arthropod, and other risks and hazards commonly encountered in greenhouses, fields, and laboratories supporting plant research. Attendees will be guided through strategies for identifying potential hazards, assessing the magnitude and extent of induced risks and cost, and developing effective control measures to protect the safety of workers, plants, and the environment. The course employs “real world” examples to improve understanding of greenhouse and field operations.

Objectives:

• Review risk assessment techniques as they apply to research involving genetically modified (GM) plants
• Identify and apply effective hazard and exposure control strategies into GM, arthropod lab, greenhouse design, and research facility management procedures
• Summarize strategies for safety professionals to collaborate with plant program personnel in addressing common research safety and environmental issues

Suggested Background: None
Target Audience: All Safety Professionals, All Biosafety Professionals
Audience Level: Basic
Course Length: 8 hours (two 4-hour live sessions with a 30-minute break each session)

This course has been approved for 1 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 8.50 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Monday – Friday, October 21-25, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:35 AM CDT
Registration is closed for this webinar. You may purchase the recording.

2V. Infectious Substance Shipping Program Management

This course is tailored for individuals responsible for establishing and overseeing infectious substance shipping programs within their facilities. This webinar series aims to assist institutions in developing robust shipping programs tailored to their needs. Course elements include: training; written policies; written descriptions of program plans; transport and shipping specific SOPs; safety and security plans; emergency response plans; logistics and supplies; carrier selection and support; MOUs and authorizations; access control and personnel assurance. The instructor will provide a detailed and comprehensive shipping program assessment and implementation guidance document. Attendees will receive an introduction to this document and step-by-step guidance on its completion. By completing the assessment document, attendees will conduct a thorough review to identify areas for improving existing shipping programs. This interactive, instructor led, web-based training will invite attendees to share examples of how these elements are addressed at their own institution.

Objectives:

• Evaluate external and internal requirements or conditions that impact shipping policies and program components at a facility, emphasizing the relevance of international regulations (ICAO TI), international standards (IATA DGR), and other guidance (CDC, WHO, CWA) for developing a robust shipping program
• Recognize the components of a shipping program and utilize provided tools and templates to assess current shipping program elements, identifying opportunities for improvement
• Compare and contrast various approaches to setting up a shipping program (centralized, decentralized, hybrid), and gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each

Suggested Background: IATA Infectious Substance Shipping Certification
Target Audience: Experienced Biosafety Professionals, Infectious Substance Shipping Managers & Trainers
Audience Level: Advanced
Course Length: 8 hours (five 95-minute live sessions)

Within 10 business days of purchasing the recording, you will be added to the course on the ABSA International Training Site. If you have already taken ABSA courses, then you will receive an enrollment notification. If you are a new user, you will receive an invitation to create your account on the ABSA International Training Site. Once the account is created, you will see the course on your course dashboard. You will have 60 days to complete the course.

ABSA Members: $720 USD
Nonmembers: $820 USD

This course has been approved for 1 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 8.50 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours. The links to the various invitations for the course will be unique to the user and cannot be shared. The links to the various invitations for the course will be unique to the user and cannot be shared. The links are for single, individual use only.

Friday, September 13, 2024, 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM CDT

3V. Introduction to Biosafety in the Clinical Setting

The clinical setting poses a different environment than research laboratories. This course provides foundations for applying biosafety concepts in the clinical setting. Course topics include common issues and lessons learned pertaining to clinical facilities including pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, infusion areas, ORs, and waste disposal facilities; PPE, disinfection, risk assessments, and safety practices in the clinical setting; speaking biosafety to doctors, nursing staff, pharmacy staff, infection prevention and control, diagnostic microbiology lab personnel, and hospital EHS staff; applying NIH Guidelines and the BMBL to the clinical setting; gaps in oversight of research safety for clinical trials, and risk assessments for unconventional or highly specialized delivery mechanisms for biologics. The course will conclude with a focus on clinical trials including the role of an IRB and how it can overlap with an IBC; the process for investigational products to obtain FDA approval to be deemed as safe and effective therapeutics; and the evolving regulatory environment in the U.S. for biologics such as vaccines, regenerative medicines, and gene therapy. The course is designed to be highly interactive with discussions, surveys, and group exercises.

Objectives:

• Apply biosafety principles in the clinical setting
• Perform risk assessments and identify gaps in occupational safety in the clinical setting
• Discuss the regulatory oversight structure for clinical trials and the developmental process for investigational products

Suggested Background: None
Target Audience: All Safety Professionals, New Biosafety Professionals, Laboratory Workers, Research Administrators, Clinical Professionals
Audience Level: Basic
Course Length: 4 hours (one 4-hour live session with a 30-minute break)

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 4.50 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM CDT

4V. Bio-Hazardous Drugs

The anticipated implementation of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 800 in healthcare created a new resolve to conduct thorough risk assessments of healthcare formularies. The role of this assessment was to identify the hazards posed by these drugs, to evaluate the exposure risks associated with these hazards, and to determine the potential health consequences of both acute and chronic exposure. Most healthcare facilities that conducted these risk assessments utilized a risk matrix that incorporated criteria commonly used in toxicology to evaluate exposure to chemicals. As the pharmaceutical industry quickly turns to novel biologics to treat and/or correct disease, a risk assessment of the biological hazards associated with these novel biologics is warranted. This course will provide information on these biologics; explore the known and anticipated biological properties of each; discuss the potential these biologics have to cause infections, to be shed, to contaminate the environment, and to be transmitted to others; and will cover the pertinent controls needed to contain these biologics, to prevent inadvertent exposure to these materials, to remove them from the environment, and to ensure staff and patients are appropriately educated.

Objectives:

• Define a hazardous drug and a hazardous biologic
• Recognize the hazards, exposure risks, and health consequences posed by these hazardous drugs and hazardous biologics
• Describe pertinent healthcare and pharmacy standards concerning hazardous drugs and hazardous biologics

Suggested Background: Risk Assessment, Virology/Viral Vectors
Target Audience: All Safety Professionals, All Biosafety Professionals
Audience Level: Basic
Course Length: 4 hours (one 4-hour live session with a 30-minute break)

This course has been approved for 0.5 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 4.50 P.A.C.E.® contact hours.

Friday, September 6 and Monday, September 9, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM CDT

5V. Animal Research for Biosafety Professionals – An Introduction

Animal Research has contributed to major scientific advances in biomedical, veterinary, and environmental sciences and in public health. However, these efforts often pose significant risks to the health and safety of research and facility staff due to the wide range of species, complex experimental procedures and equipment, and facility hazards that are involved. Balancing optimal worker safety and animal welfare with research objectives yields the best results but requires a solid understanding of how animal programs are managed and an ability to identify and mitigate inherent risks. This course provides a thorough introduction to routine hazards commonly encountered in animal programs that utilize rodents, small animals, nonhuman primates, aquatics, and agricultural species, with a primary focus on identifying and managing biological, chemical, radiological, and physical hazards. Topics include assessment and management of animal program hazards; universal regulations, guidelines, and quality standards that apply to animal research; duties and responsibilities of key program personnel; local oversight systems; best practices that enhance the quality of animal care; and strategies for biosafety professionals to develop and maintain effective partnerships with program staff and institutional animal care and use committee members. Opportunities will be provided to apply new knowledge and skills through interactive group activities and problem-solving sessions. The instructors are experienced laboratory animal veterinarians who are actively involved in the management, oversight, and evaluation of animal care and use programs. The primary target audience for this course are biosafety and general safety professionals with limited experience in the animal research environment.

Objectives:

• Review basic hazard identification and risk assessment techniques relevant to research involving live animals
• Develop an understanding of governing regulations and guidelines that pertain to the care and use of research animals
• Recognize the difference between “regulatory requirements” and “best practices” that relate to performance-based standards
• Identify successful strategies for working effectively with animal program personnel on common research safety issues

Suggested Background: None
Target Audience: New Biosafety Professionals, All Safety Professionals, Laboratory Workers
Audience Level: Basic
Course Length: 8 hours (two 4-hour live sessions with a 30-minute break each session)

This course has been approved for 1 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 8.50 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours.