Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS)

The Shipping and Transport of Regulated Biological Materials course addresses training information for IATA and DOT.

It is important to note that the Shipping and Transport of Regulated Biological Materials course prepares learners to ship moderate (Category B infectious substances) to lower risk (Exempt specimens) materials. It also reviews the requirements for shipping high-risk biological materials (Category A infectious substances). However, this course does not provide the details and competency-based assurance to meet DOT/IATA training requirements for high-risk Category A shipments. Individuals shipping Category A infectious substances (high consequence human and animal pathogens) should contact their organization's safety office for any site-specific instructions prior to shipment.

The NIH and NSF require researchers to be trained on this subject.

BSS courses are meant to be a starting point for biosafety training. Individuals handling biohazards should receive additional training from their principal investigators, managers, or supervisors in the safe work practices in the field and receive site-specific information from their safety representatives at their host institution.

BSS courses are suitable for a broad range of audiences ranging from researchers working in laboratories that handle biohazards to persons who serve in biosafety offices, persons who serve on an organization’s biosafety committee, persons who serve on environmental health and safety committees, and other personnel who may work with hazardous chemicals.

Yes, information is provided for what PPE is required for standard biocontainment levels where Risk Group 1 to 3 agents are utilized. Additional site-specific and hands-on training is required for those working with higher risk agents.

Yes, custom content can be included via organization-specific modules for an additional fee. For more information on customization options, contact us now or call 888.529.5929 (U.S.) or +1 305.907.3100 (outside U.S.) Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, U.S. eastern time zone.

The time varies based on the number of courses and modules that need to be completed. Time could range from three hours for the full initial biosafety training to 20+ hours to complete all modules. Modules are self-paced, so training can be done over a period of time.

The “Biosafety Course Overview” module is an introduction to the CITI Program’s Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) modules and introduces BSS topics, providing a high-level overview. It is recommended as required for many of the BSS courses including Biosafety Officer Training – Basic, Basic Introduction to Biosafety (for researchers), and Initial Biosafety Training.

Yes if site-specific information is provided for the institution’s learners. The educational module covers the 14 elements that must be provided by the host institution for training, but it asks the learner to do two things at the start of the module.  Identify who the Biosafety or Safety Officer for the institution is, or the person who has been given responsibility by that institution to answer questions related to the implementation of the standard at their institution.  Once they have that person’s name and phone number, they will be able to call if they have any questions while they complete the module.  They must also identify where they would go in the event of an emergency, such as an exposure to human blood, tissues or body fluids and write that information down.