17. Biosafety in the Open Lab: Strategies for Shared Accountability

A distance learning opportunity
August 6, 2026
12:00 – 2:00 PM (CDT)

Registration for the live webinar must be completed 1 business day prior to the start of the training.
Registrations received after will receive access to the recording only.

Instructors:

Kathleen Kennedy, MPH, Director of Safety and Facilities, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Catherine Mancini, BS, Safety Support Services Manager, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Sarah Aarowsmith, MAB, Laboratory Health and Safety Specialist with Knowledge Enterprise Facilities Services, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Joseph Manfrida, PhD, Senior Laboratory Chief of Safety, Security, Facilities & Responsible official, Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, Phoenix, AZ
Stephanie Kutz, MS, PhD, Associate Biosafety Officer, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI

Overview

Often seen as common place today are teams of engineers, chemists, biologists and bioinformaticians working together in the same space, using shared equipment or shared areas. Biosafety in the Open Lab is a dynamic, collaborative webinar designed for biosafety and general safety professionals, lab managers, and researchers navigating the complexities of shared, multi-user environments. Moving beyond the traditional lecture format, this session serves as a conversational forum for peer-to-peer exchange and real-time problem-solving. Rooted in proven safe work practices, our four panelists will draw on diverse institutional backgrounds and experience to facilitate a candid discussion on managing mixed-hazard spaces and overcoming the “Tragedy of the Commons.” Together, we will explore hazard mitigation with a focus on administrative controls that foster shared accountability and shift laboratory mindsets toward collective responsibility. Attendees will walk away not only with a suite of practical tools and templates but with the collective wisdom of a community dedicated to shoring up institutional safety through inspiration, commiseration, and action.

Objectives

• Identify common biosafety and operational challenges inherent to multi-user open lab environments
• Summarize the administrative controls and shared accountability strategies to determine which practices can be adapted to your institution
• Formulate actionable solutions to improve adherence to biosafety and essential housekeeping in shared spaces

Audience Level:

All levels

Suggested Background:

None

Who Should Attend:

Biosafety professionals in government, industry, academic and other institutions/organizations, Anyone safety professional who manage spaces with mixed use and hazards

This course has been approved for 0.25 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. *ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program. This course is approved for 2.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours. Course access links are unique and for individual use only. Sharing is prohibited. Duplicate logins or unregistered attendees will be removed from the webinar without a refund.