About EBSA20 - Course O - Biosecurity

Instructors: Mirjam Schaap  and Heather Sheeley

Short description of the course:

"Keep bad bugs away from people - Keep bad people away from bugs", this quote is a simplification of the terms biosafety and biosecurity, but clearly describes what it is all about. More in detail, as defined in CWA16335, biosecurity (restricted to laboratory biosecurity) is about the protection, control and accountability for biological materials within laboratories, in order to prevent their loss, theft, misuse, diversion of, unauthorized access or intentional unauthorized release.

The course will start with an introduction in biosecurity covering the various biosecurity key areas (physical security, security of materials, knowledge and information security, screening of personnel and transport security), international networks and regulations. The BSO needs to be able to be active in raising biosecurity awareness to assist in compliance and vigilance. Through tools, short films and scenarios participants will obtain insight in biosecurity vulnerabilities within their organisation and will have more insight in how to raise biosecurity awareness.

Through a combination of presentations by the course instructors, open plenary discussions and group exercises based on scenarios, by the end of the course participants will:

• be able to recognize biosecurity vulnerabilities
• be aware of the possibilities to raise biosecurity awareness within his/her organisation
   

Main topics:

• Introduction in biosecurity and its various key areas
• International networks and regulations
• Methods and tools to raise biosecurity awareness
   

CWA 16335:2011 Biosafety professional competence reference

7.2.5 Human factors
The biosafety professional shall be able to understand human factors (e.g. behaviour, reliability, ergonomics) leading to intentional and unintentional errors. The biosafety professional shall have the skills to influence behaviours and risk perception, and be persuasive in promoting good biosafety and biosecurity practices taking into account cultural and socio-economic considerations.

7.2.19 Physical security
The biosafety professional shall be able to understand and communicate the importance of implementing and maintaining the physical security measures determined as part of the risk assessment process.

The topic refers also to parts of training specification C.2.1.2.5 Biorisk assessment and management and C.2.1.3.1 International regulatory framework, standards, guidelines and conventions