Past EBSA events

• Essential elements of and metholodolgies to perform risk assessment
• Assessing the risk of biological materials (microorganisms, cells, tissues)
• Evaluating the risk of procedures/activities
• Defining measures to control/minimize the risk (containment, GMT, PPE, training)

The application of appropriate decontamination methods is the key element in reducing surface contamination in the laboratory to prevent laboratory-acquired infections and cross contamination in the laboratory.

Working with an animal model of infection means introducing an additional risk into the infection chain.  

Not only the animals need to be handled appropriately to reduce a potential risk to the scientist, the equipment also plays a major role in minimising risk during individual infection experiments. 

Infection models with obligate pathogenic human germs must be treated carefully and calmly. The 3Rs of laboratory animal science are not only a guarantee for ethically sound experiments, but also serve the safety of the researchers. 

This course is rated as advanced. Therefore basic knowledge of Biosafety is a prerequisite as well as initial knowledge in working with animals.

Sadly, accidents will always happen. They can be prevented, but only if we take care to understand how and why they happen. Their impact can be reduced, but only if we take time to prepare. Gaining that understanding and having a plan are key safety processes. 

Even though national and international regulations provide a framework on how to work safely with a certain pathogen or hazard, specific risk assessments are indispensable to identify appropriate safety measures to ensure that the risk associated with working with biological agents is on an acceptable level. This course will set out the principles of a risk assessment process, addressing the definition of key steps, risk evaluation and identification of high-risk laboratory procedures or selection of risk control measures.

The online course will provide an up-to-date overview of the use of modern targeted genetic engineering technology in plants, focusing on the CRISPR/Cas system. It  provides an overview of the different methods used, the types of genetic and epigenetic modifications that can be achieved, their applications and consequences. The consequences will also be discussed in the GMO regulatory context and with regards to potential  risks and uncertainties.

This online course will describe how aerosols are formed and infect people.   

The types of equipment to generate and measure aerosols will be described as will a review of information used to inform risk assessments for the generation and spread of aerosols.

This online course is aimed at offering recommendations regarding the choice of the disinfectant as a function of the material to be treated. Limits of the use of disinfectants will be described, with emphasis on the development of resistance and thus the need to be (re)validated regularly. The other part of the course will focus on the biocide legislation and the regulation of biocides.

The biosafety cabinet (class II) is the most important and most widely used primary barrier in the microbiological and biomedical laboratory (BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4). 

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To shape the attitude of non-experts towards the risks of infectious disease, it is not sufficient to just ‘tell the facts’. The way the information is presented and the source credibility of the organisation are crucially importan. Unfortunately, in many cases the importance of these factors is underestimated. What can (governmental) organisations do to effectively shape the perception?
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2 days of EBSA pre conference courses on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 Mai 2022

2 days of EBSA conference on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May 2022.

Registrations are open

More info and opening of registrations will follow soon!

Waste management is a topic of interest to all facilities who manage biological agents, no matter how large or small, private or public; but mostly it is not seen as a very exciting or sexy topic.

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The course will include a site visit.

This two day practical course provides a comprehensive and sound practical introduction to auditing. The course takes participants through the principles, recognized best practices and essential techniques of (HSE / biosafety) auditing. It provides them with guidance on planning and performing of an audit in line with international standards.

This course is aimed at defining and implementing the principles of risk assessment and risk management in different situations. Some situations are complex and present significant risks which need to be managed and demonstrated as effective. Suitable for early career and those wishing to improve risk assessment skills and knowledge.

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This course will both give a theoretical overview of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories and alsothe practical experience with different sorts of PPE.