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Enhancing Biosafety and Biosecurity through Technology For October 2026 Biosafety and Biosecurity Month, we encourage our members to use this opportunity to spotlight training ideas, stewardship, and engagement, how to foster positive relationships within the research community, and how to support responsible and ethical research through our profession.
Recognizing the need to improve and standardize health and safety program metrics and performance measures, the American National Standards Institute collaborated with the American Society of Safety Professionals to create “ANSI/ASSP Z16.2 – 2022 Safety and Health Metrics and Performance Measures”. The standard describes the types of measures and metrics that safety programs should consider for programmatic decision-making and for communications to management and other stakeholders. The team assembled to create this standard possessed an impressive breadth of knowledge and experience across a variety of health and safety settings, however lacked specific involvement from the biosafety perspective. Given the preeminence of ANSI and ASSP recommendations, this course will first summarize the content of the ANSI/ASSP report and then provide tangible examples of how actual biosafety program data can be collected, displayed, communicated, and used as the basis for programmatic decision-making while meeting the criteria described in the report. The course will include small-group discussions focused on which data are currently being collected, and which are needed by leadership. Attendees are asked to come prepared to describe their respective measures and metrics, as well as the parameters other stakeholders are seeking, with ample time allotted for questions and discussion.
November 9-13: This course is tailored for individuals responsible for establishing and overseeing infectious substance shipping programs within their facilities. This webinar series aims to assist institutions in developing robust shipping programs tailored to their needs. Course elements include: training; written policies; written descriptions of program plans; transport and shipping specific SOPs; safety and security plans; emergency response plans; logistics and supplies; carrier selection and support; MOUs and authorizations; access control and personnel assurance. The instructor will provide a detailed and comprehensive shipping program assessment and implementation guidance document. Attendees will receive an introduction to this document and step-by-step guidance on its completion. By completing the assessment document, attendees will conduct a thorough review to identify areas for improving existing shipping programs. This interactive, instructor led, web-based training will invite attendees to share examples of how these elements are addressed at their own institution.
November 19: High-containment laboratories play a critical role in public health preparedness, infectious disease research, and diagnostic response. However, constructing a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory is only the first step; ensuring it is safe, sustainable, and compliant in operation presents significant technical, operational, and organizational challenges. Many institutions struggle with maintaining complex containment systems, implementing robust biosafety programs, and sustaining competent personnel and operational procedures over time. This course provides a practical framework for the operation, management, and sustainability of BSL-3 laboratories. Attendees will explore the operational components required to maintain high-containment facilities, including governance structures, risk management systems, operational procedures, infrastructure and engineering controls, preventive maintenance programs, and emergency preparedness strategies. Emphasis will be placed on integrating engineering controls, administrative controls, and biosafety practices into a coherent biorisk management approach aligned with international guidance and best practices. The course also examines common institutional challenges encountered in high-containment laboratories, including infrastructure failures, gaps in operational planning, insufficient maintenance strategies, and misalignment between laboratory design and operational capabilities. Attendees will learn how to evaluate these risks and implement practical solutions to improve laboratory performance and safety. Through case studies, operational examples, and scenario-based discussions, attendees will analyze real-world challenges related to the management of BSL-3 laboratories and explore strategies to strengthen institutional governance, improve operational resilience, and ensure sustainable laboratory performance.
High‑consequence biosecurity laboratory environments present unique challenges where human behavior, safety culture, and operational risk intersect. This webinar introduces Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) concepts tailored specifically to BSL‑3 and BSL‑4 laboratory settings, with a focus on early identification of concerning behaviors and proportionate, preventive intervention. Participants will explore how targeted violence and insider risk rarely occur without warning. Drawing from contemporary threat assessment research and real‑world laboratory scenarios, the session emphasizes listening to behavioral narratives, recognizing warning behaviors (such as fixation, leakage, and pathway behaviors), and understanding how stressors, grievances, and changing life circumstances can influence risk in high‑trust scientific environments. The webinar bridges macro‑level BTAM frameworks with micro‑level personnel suitability and reliability considerations, highlighting how multidisciplinary teams can responsibly assess, manage, and support individuals before concerns escalate into safety incidents. Importantly, this approach is not punitive, but prevention‑oriented; designed to protect people, research missions, and public trust. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how BTAM principles integrate with biosafety, occupational health, and laboratory leadership practices, and how proactive behavioral intervention serves as a critical layer of defense in biosecurity risk management.
Principles & Practices of Biosafety® will introduce the essential elements of biosafety and provide extensive resource lists for use after the course. Interactive exercises will be used throughout to provide hands-on experience and to encourage networking and problem-solving among participants and instructors.
April 19-22, 2027, Baltimore, Maryland - Valuable professional development courses, 2½ days of scientific presentations, Exhibits showcasing the latest agricultural biosafety, biosecurity, and biocontainment products and services, Network with professionals from the biosafety, biosecurity, and scientific research industries, organizations, and agencies. Approximately 200 attendees representing a broad spectrum of biosafety and biosecurity, pharmaceutical, biotechnology research, development, and clinical organizations are expected to attend. The symposium draws national and international attendees from academic, commercial, research, and governmental sectors.
Principles & Practices of Biosafety® will introduce the essential elements of biosafety and provide extensive resource lists for use after the course. Interactive exercises will be used throughout to provide hands-on experience and to encourage networking and problem-solving among participants and instructors.
The Biosafety and Biosecurity Training Course® (BBTC) is designed for persons who are interested in the varying aspects of the responsibility of biosafety professionals. It is also suitable for persons who supervise biosafety professionals and for those who will benefit from additional knowledge of biosafety as a complement to their primary responsibilities. The weeklong training will address preparations for audits and inspections, BSL-2/BSL-3 building design and operations, clinical and public health lab biosafety, prion disease research, and field investigations. Participants will receive intensive and engaging training on aspects of biosafety and biosecurity, including interactive exercises and greenhouse tour. All lunches and an off-site dinner on Tuesday will be provided. The BBTC emphasizes the ethics and principles of biosafety and is a perfect follow-up to ABSA’s Principles & Practices of Biosafety® course. Please note: ABSA International BBTC is solely an ABSA International course and is not affiliated with other organizations or institutions.
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ABSA International
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