About EBSA20 - Course I - Handling materials with unknown risks

Instructor: Amaya Leunda and Aline Baldo

Short description of the course:

There are several situations in R&D or in clinics where the manipulated biological material may present hazards of unknown or unsuspected nature. These activities require a careful assessment of their potential risk and a balanced application of risk management measures.

After a short introduction to legislation, guidelines, norms and other publications related to risks in handling biological materials, groups of participants will work around concrete situations for which they will be invited to conduct a risk assessment and discuss risk management measures. Examples of situations could be, but are not limited to, clinic and/or R&D activities with human and animal samples or cadavers, xenobiological material, human tumor cells or tissues, bacteria, viruses and viral vectors. Situations may also be proposed by participants.

Targeted Audience

This course is open to everyone exposed to or working with biological material, with particular interest for biosafety, occupational health, safety and environment professionals who would like to enlarge their practice on risk assessment and management of activities in R&D or clinical laboratories.

Learning Objectives

After this half-day course participants shall:

• be able to identify activities where the handled biological material may present unknown or unsuspected hazards;
• conduct risk assessment while taking into account the uncertainties around such situations;
• propose risk management measures proportionate to the potential risks to protect human health and the environment
• be able to consider related legislation, norms or scientific literature

Main Topics

• Recognition of activities handling biological material with unknown hazards;
• Identification of potential risks depending on the material and type of activity;
• Application of proportionate risk management measures for the identified risks.
   

CWA 16335:2011 Biosafety professional competence reference

In accordance with CWA 16335:2011 Biosafety professional competence, this course fulfils in part core competences 7.2.3 Biological and other hazards in the work area and 7.2.4 Occupational health and biosafety