Initial Biosafety Training

Provides an introduction to biosafety and training for researchers handling Risk Group 1 agents and working only at Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) containment.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13314 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Sets the foundation for the importance of biosafety by briefly reviewing seminal laboratory-acquired infections that have occurred in the research and clinical laboratory settings. A learner may explore supplemental cases for further study and increase his/her awareness of how the breakdown of good microbiological practices can lead to infections and death (in rare cases).

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13454 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Outlines the steps involved in identifying risk factors for experiments or procedures involving biohazards. The three Ps of risk assessment (Pathogen, Procedures, and Personnel) are reviewed to provide a basic foundation in this important building block to biosafety.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13455 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Reviews basic medical surveillance and occupational health program recommendations for laboratory or clinical researchers handling biohazards.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13456 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Describes how administrative and work practice controls reduce the risk of occupational exposure and laboratory-acquired infections and promote good work practices by laboratory personnel. The module also discusses the foundational work practice controls in biosafety and best work practices for specialized tasks, such as transporting infectious agents, pipetting biohazardous material, and handling biomedical waste.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13898 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Describes the various types of PPE used for protection against biohazards (gloves, face protection, lab coats, and respirators). The module also addresses the responsibilities of employers and employees for the provision, use, and handling of PPE. In addition, the module discusses the appropriate work practices associated with the use of gloves, face protection, lab coats, and respirators for protection against biohazards.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13458 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Discusses the different types of biohazardous events that may occur in a laboratory, the immediate response procedures to emergencies and incidents designed to protect laboratory personnel, and the core steps of responding to and mitigating incidents and exposures that may occur in the laboratory.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13459 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Provides an overview of various engineering controls in the BSL-2 biomedical research laboratory and how they can protect personnel from potentially harmful aerosols, splashes, and droplets. The module explains the limitations of engineering controls, how the improper use of engineering controls may result in an occupational exposure, and the appropriate function and limitations of biological safety cabinets (BSCs). In addition, the module explains the difference between a BSC, clean bench, and chemical fume hood.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13929 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Reviews the design measures for research laboratories handling biological materials and biohazards classified at BSL-1 and BSL-2 (basic laboratories). It also describes the more restrictive parameters associated with the BSL-3 laboratory (containment laboratories).

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13484 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Reviews how to safely handle sharp instruments when working with biohazards. It outlines safe work practices with disposable and reusable sharps.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13899 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Discusses the decontamination of items contaminated by biohazards after an experiment, prior to reuse, or before disposal. It also provides information on methods of sterilization and disinfection, along with good decontamination work practices.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13900 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Provides an overview of safe sharps devices and other engineering controls designed to minimize exposure to biohazards when handling sharp instruments.  It also supports training on a sharps safety program.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13946 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Discusses risks involved in centrifugation along with the control devices and work practices that will help ensure the safe use of centrifuges.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 13945 (English)
Author(s): Benjamin Fontes, MPH, CBSP - Yale University

Detailed training on the United States Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern. It is based on the 2014 United States Government Policy for Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern, which is required for all National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded entities. It describes the agents and types of experiments that require oversight, individual and organizational responsibilities, and risk mitigation strategies.

Recommended Use: Supplemental
ID (Language): 16263 (English)
Author(s): Angela Birnbaum, MPH - Tulane University

Provides an overview of a BSC and its major components, summarizes best practices for the correct operation of a BSC, and describes the different classes of BSCs and the limitations of each. This module is relevant for laboratory personnel who operate a BSC. It includes an overview of the factors that can affect the inward airflow of a Class I or II BSC, which may result in loss of biocontainment of the biohazards in use and occupational exposure of laboratory personnel.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20982 (English)
Author(s): Randy Albrecht, PhD - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai