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Biosafety and the Profession

Biosafety and the Profession brochure(PDF 1.4MB)

What is Biosafety?

The concept of Biological Safety (or biosafety) has paralleled the development of the science of microbiology and its extension into new and related areas including tissue culture, recombinant DNA, animal studies, molecular biology, synthetic biology, and biotechnology. The knowledge and skill gained by microbiologists necessary to isolate, manipulate, and propagate pathogenic microorganisms required parallel development of containment principles, facility design, and practices and procedures to prevent occupational infections in the workplace or release of the organisms to the environment.

What is a Biosafety Professional?

A biosafety professional develops and participates in programs to promote safemicrobiological practices, procedures, and proper use of containment equipment and facilities; stimulates responsible activities among workers; and provides advice on laboratory design.


Who Conducts Biosafety?

Regardless of background and education, biosafety professionals must develop knowledge of the principles of epidemiology, disease transmission patterns, risk-assessment and risk management, disinfection and sterilization, disease prevention, aerobiology and environmental control. Biosafety professionals include:


Microbiologists

Industrial Hygienists

Biologists

Engineers

Molecular Biologists

Veterinarians

Occupational Health Professionals

Environmental Health Professionals

Clinical Health Care Professionals

Biosecurity Professionals

Where do Biosafety Professionals Work?

The field of biosafety includes a range of positions and environments. Biosafety professionals find positions in:


How do I Prepare for a Career in Biological Safety?

Is There Credentialing for Biosafety Professionals?

Currently there are two types of credentialing for biosafety professionals: Registered Biosafety Professional and a Certified Biological Safety Professional.

Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)

Certified Biological Safety Professionals (CBSP) pass a written exam, developed by ABSA and administered by the National Registry of CertifiedMicrobiologists (NRCM), and meet experience and educational criteria set by ABSA.

Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP)

A Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) is an individual with a documented university education or specialized training in relevant biological safety disciplines and been found to be eligible for registration by the ABSA Registration Evaluation Board.


Ethics Statement

Members of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical manner as they practice their profession. ABSA members should:

  • Maintain personal integrity and act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession.

  • Avoid situations, and actively work to prevent occurrences presenting a conflict of interest or that will compromise professional judgement.

  • Provide biological safety services only in areas of competence.

  • Follow recognized biological safety guidelines and standards as set forth by established professional groups or local, state and federal governmental agencies, centers, or institutes, in performing work in biological safety.

  • Provide information regarding potential risks to employee or environmental health and precautions needed to avoid adverse effects.

  • Maintain confidentiality regarding services provided.

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