BIO SAFETY

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students at the end of the lessons will be familiar with:

• the basic principles of bio safety according to the specification of each laboratory,
• the international organizations of bio safety/bio protection and the international requirements and rules,
• the basic infrastructure that any laboratory with biological samples should have, and the types of PPE (personal protective equipment) of the laboratory staff.
• the international standards and the Greek and international legislation concerning bio safety.
• the assessment of biological risk.

SYLLABUS

1. Introduction to bio safety. The definition of bio security. The role of the bio safety officer in biomedical laboratories and hospitals. The international federations of Bio safety Associations and how to obtain a certificate of bio safety competence (Professional Certification or PC).
2. Legal framework related to bio safety. The Greek legislation on bio safety. European and international standards and guidelines about bio safety. The management of bio safety. in Greek hospitals and health care facilities.
3. The “valuable biological samples”. The classification of “Valuable Biological Materials” (VBM) into risk groups.
4. Bio safety Levels 1-4. PPE and equipment requirements (laboratory design, and necessary building structures).
5. Greek and international biosafety standards. The requirements of ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 for biosafety. The Greek legislation about the shipping of biological samples. The CWA 15793 standard. The European Bio security Awareness Raising Network. The working protocols (SOPS).
6. Fire protection. Fire safety, categories of fires, causes, flammables and
explosive materials, firefighting, fire extinguishers, extinguishing materials.
7. The monitoring of the microbial background. Bio safety hot spots-drains. Disinfection, sterilization and waste disposal. The “sick house syndrome”.
8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Personal hygiene and safety facilities. Emergency provision and control. Signals of occupational hazards. Practice in bio safety Spill procedure for infection control.
9. Chemical safety. Categories of chemicals and properties. The REACH convention, the coding of chemical compounds. Chemical handling, use, storage, splashing, disposal, protective equipment.
10. Biosafety and radioactivity. Types of radiation, hazards, safe handling. The ISO FDIS 35001.
11. Biosafety in specialized laboratories (molecular biology, laboratory animal management, cell culture, genetically modified organisms [GMO]).
12. Biosecurity risk assessment (biosecurity risk management). The use of the risk matrix and related practical exercise.
13. Bioterrorism, biological warfare. Historical background. Which biological agents have been used in the past. Today’s reality. International legislation. Greek and international anti-bioterrorism agencies.