Events

This webinar will first summarize the content of the ANSI/ASSP Z16.2-2022 Safety and Health Metrics and Performance Measures 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 webinar will include group discussions focused on discovering what data is currently being collected and what data is expected by organizational leadership, so participants are asked to come prepared to describe their respective measures and metrics that are currently being used and which parameters other stakeholders are seeking. The importance of capturing and communicating this information to “sell” your biosafety program to organizational stakeholders will be featured. The ability to effectively “sell” your program can help garner necessary program support and resources for success. Ample time will be allotted for participants’ questions and discussion.

Did you know that temporary workers can be found in many academic, healthcare, and industry workplaces that have laboratories? Do you have temporary workers from a staffing agency working in your institution's laboratories alongside employees? Do you know what the legal definition of a temporary worker is, and how this impacts health and safety in your workplace when a temporary worker works in your institution's laboratories? Have you ever wondered who is responsible for the health and safety of a temporary worker who works in your laboratories? These are just some of the questions that will be reviewed and answered during this one-hour webinar. This webinar is for anyone who is involved in EHS/Biosafety Programs at institutions that hire temporary workers who work alongside employees in the laboratory setting. This webinar will be led by representatives from the US Department of Labor - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Temporary Worker Initiative. They will provide an overview of the temporary worker health and safety requirements as well as share best practices and resources that are available to assist you. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are emerging as practical tools to support biosafety and biosecurity programs in communication, hazard analysis, and risk assessment. This interactive two-hour webinar introduces biosafety professionals to responsible and effective use of text-based AI tools to enhance safety documentation and experimental risk evaluations. Participants will learn how to apply AI to break laboratory workflows into task-level hazards, exposure pathways, and control measures aligned with regulatory frameworks and the hierarchy of controls. The session will demonstrate how chatbots can streamline SOP development, risk narratives, incident summaries, and plain-language training materials while maintaining compliance. Emphasis is placed on prompt design strategies for producing structured, reliable outputs. Hands-on exercises guide participants in refining prompts, validating AI-generated content, and addressing biosecurity and data governance considerations. Attendees will leave with practical workflows and reusable prompt templates to integrate AI into biosafety and security operations.

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.

Animal Research has contributed to major scientific advances in biomedical, veterinary, environmental, and public health science, but presents unique safety challenges and significant risks due to diverse species, complex procedures, and facility hazards. Balancing optimal worker safety and animal welfare with research objectives yields the best results but requires a solid understanding of how animal programs are managed and an ability to identify and mitigate inherent risks. This course provides a thorough introduction to routine hazards commonly encountered in animal programs that utilize rodents, small animals, nonhuman primates, aquatics, and agricultural species, with a primary focus on identifying and managing biological, chemical, radiological, and physical hazards. Topics include assessment and management of animal program hazards; universal regulations, guidelines, and quality standards that apply to animal research; duties and responsibilities of key program personnel; local oversight systems; best practices that enhance the quality of animal care; and strategies for biosafety professionals to develop and maintain effective partnerships with program staff and institutional animal care and use committee members. Opportunities will be provided to apply new knowledge and skills through interactive group activities and problem-solving sessions. The instructors are experienced laboratory animal veterinarians who are actively involved in management, oversight, and evaluation of animal care and use programs. The primary target audience for this course are biosafety and general safety professionals with limited experience in the animal research environment.

August 21, August 24-25, and August 27-28, 2026, 11:00 am – 12:40 pm CDT, In 2019, ISO published a new biorisk management standard that many biomedical research laboratories all over the world are adopting. This workshop will provide presentations, facilitated discussions, and tools to introduce concepts related to biosecurity and biosafety (biorisk) management systems. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of biorisk management (BRM) systems and learn to apply the ISO 35001 framework as a strategic planning tool. The course guides participants in mapping their current systems to the ISO standard, identifying gaps, and prioritizing improvements to enhance biosafety and biosecurity practices. Using the ISO 35001 as a planning and mapping tool, will enable institutions to effectively identify, assess, control, and monitor the laboratory biosafety and biosecurity risks associated with hazardous biological materials using the concept of continual improvement through the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) principle.

September 1 and September 3, 2026 - The course is intended to introduce biosafety professionals to host-pathogen interactions by focusing on fundamentals of immunology, microbiology and their interplay as they pertain to biosafety risk assessments utilizing instructional videos, case studies, established lab acquired infections and publications. Information from this course can assist biosafety professionals assess risks from microbiological research including potential effects of genetic modifications on virulence and infectivity of pathogens, susceptibility of hosts in in-vitro and in-vivo models for IBC review, assessing impact to the wellbeing of research animal hosts for IACUC review, as well as the occupational safety and occupational health of research personnel.

Enhancing Biosafety Training with Generative AI: Multimedia Tools, Workflows, and Best Practices is a practical, application focused course designed for biosafety and biosecurity professionals who develop or deliver training and want to incorporate generative AI to make their materials clearer, faster to build, and more engaging. This session goes beyond introductory AI concepts to show exactly how image, audio, and video generation tools can support the creation of effective biosafety training modules. Attendees will explore free and low cost AI tools capable of generating lab specific visuals, infographics, audio, and short instructional video clips. Instructors will compare the strengths of tools such as Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, and other emerging options, and demonstrate how each can be applied to biosafety training.

September 9, 11, 14, 16 and 18 - This course provides essential training for individuals seeking IATA certification for infectious substance shipping. Designed for participants with some prior experience in handling or shipping infectious substances who may not have been certified within the past three years, the course is delivered through five 100-minute online sessions. Each session is followed by homework assignments that reinforce practical skills such as classifying, marking, labeling, packaging, and completing documentation for various infectious substance shipments (Category A, Category B, Exempt Patient Specimens). These assignments replace traditional classroom activities and are required for successful course completion. This course is suitable for personnel responsible for packaging, marking, and labeling shipments of all categories of infectious substances, including dry ice and liquid nitrogen. To earn a certificate and course credit, participants must complete all assignments and pass (80% or better) a written exam administered at the conclusion of the course.

This course describes the resources currently available to provide data on 3,962 Laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) published between 1979 and 2025 that occurred in clinical, teaching, veterinary laboratories, field studies, and industrial vaccine production. Case studies will highlight some of the challenges for exposure prevention in each setting to show how LAI data can support your biosafety program.