About EBSA18 - Course F - Beyond Biosafety – Occupational health in a laboratory setting

Instructors:
Fabia Schläppi, Cilag AG, Johnson & Johnson, Switzerland
Jaap Maas, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands

Short description
Biohazards are only part of the many hazards present in microbiological laboratories and Biosafety Professionals may be unaware of the overlaps between their own discipline and other health fields. The course aims to give an overview to interested Biosafety Professionals - or those charged with additional responsibilities in the field of Occupational Health - over biohazards and other hazards that are relevant with respect to occupational health issues one can encounter in the setting of a laboratory.
The course will give a general overview of the most relevant hazards and will focus particularly on Occupational Health in relation to working with biological hazards (epidemiology and transmission of infectious diseases, allergic, toxic and carcinogenic effects as animal allergies, post exposure treatment and vaccination) and infectious diseases in the context of infectious diseases (ageing population, immune compromised workers, acquired and congenital immune disorders, pregnant and nursing women). Furthermore, health hazards that frequently overlap with biosafety issues and that Biosafety Officer may be able to influence will be addressed, such as ergonomics and musculoskeletal diseases when working at biosafety cabinets, health effects of chemical substances (particularly allergenic and carcinogenic effects of disinfectants) and health issues relevant for personal
protective equipment (such as medical impairments, mental factors, eye and hearing impairments, allergies to gloves)
The course will sensitize and enable participants to take decisions which contribute to a safe and healthy work - and laboratory environment. After the course, participants should be able to recognize specific health issues in regards to biohazards and other related hazards and involve other Occupational Health and Safety specialists as needed to propose appropriate solutions.
The teaching method is a combination of a group- and teacher centered interaction model, in which there is opportunity for the participants to discuss problems they face in their own working situation. The topics discussed in more detail will consist of a brief theoretical introduction to the topic and will be followed by exercises and group discussion aimed at the participants being able to apply the theory in practical examples.

Main topics
The course will cover the following topics relating to parts of sections C.2.1.2.2 and 2.1.2.3 of the CWA16355:2011 Biosafety professional competence, taking into account international regulatory frameworks and guidelines as of section C.2.1.3.1.

• Basics of Occupational Medicine and Occupational Hygiene and broad overview over health hazards (biological, chemical, ergonomic, radiation, psychosocial health / stress, noise)
• Biological hazards and infectious diseases, manifestation of an infectious disease,
• Overview on occupational preventive measures, for example vaccination and prophylactic treatment
• Special medical risk groups such as pregnant women and immunocompromised workers
• Ergonomics hazards and musculosceletal diseases
• Chemical hazards and their occupational illnesses
• Personal protective equipment and health issues