About EBSA21 - Course J - BSC – making the most of it

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EBSA21 - Course J - BSC – making the most of it

Tuesday, 17 April 2018 09:00 - Tuesday, 17 April 2018 17:00 (CET) EBSACourse , 2018

Felix Gmunder and Søren Thuesen

Course description
Biosafety cabinets are the most important and most widely used primary containment equipment in microbiological and biomedical laboratories (BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4) for the protection of workers, the environment and the product. Cabinet efficacy depends on the selection of appropriate type and size of the cabinet, proper function, correct placement of the cabinet in the laboratory, and how the work in the cabinet is organized and carried out. Biosafety cabinets need maintenance and testing at regular intervals. The course covers the topics and administrative controls compliant with CWA 15793 and international biosafety guidelines (containment principles, selection, validation, certification and maintenance). It starts with the biosafety laboratory containment principles before focusing on the technical background of the types of biosafety cabinets available on the market, and their strengths and limitations before focusing on safe work procedures and practices. Finally, practical demonstrations serve to clarify the flow of air and sample laboratory procedures and practices when working in the cabinet. Participants will work in groups to analyze, discuss, and comment the procedures shown and suggest improvements and alternatives.

Target audience
Biosafety Professionals, Biosafety Officers, Lab Managers/Technicians, Scientists, Engineers

Learning objectives

  • Understand different types of biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods and their applications.
  • Learn how to place and operate biosafety cabinets from the user's and biosafety perspective.
  • Understand installation and maintenance test procedures.
  • Learn how to organize your work in the cabinet (loading cabinet until conclusion of work and unloading).
  • Group exercises: Analyse and discuss several examples of procedures and workflows

Main topics

  • Biosafety cabinet /flow hood engineering and function
  • Cabinet selection, procurement, placement, maintenance, testing
  • Laboratory work in the cabinet from the biosafety perspective

Citation of the respective sections of CWA 16335:2011 Biosafety professional competence

  • C.2.1.2.4 - Containment principles
  • C.2.1.2.7- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration (room and Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)
  • C.2.1.2.8 - Selection, validation, certification and maintenance of equipment