Aim
During the course there are a variety of units involving interactive theory, practical and workshop training; delegates will gain an understanding of the concepts and philosophy of working at Containment Level 3 and the associated legislation and principles.
The course takes four full days.
Course content
| Title | Main Content | Format | Objective |
| Legislation | EU directivesCOSHH & ACDPGM(CU) & SACGMSAPOH&S at Work ActRole of the regulators – and what they expect. | Presentation with handouts | Delegates will obtain an overview which will give them a working knowledge of the significant legislation associated with pathogen work. Also covered will be the role and requirements of the regulators (predominately HSE). |
| Hazard criteria and categorisation | ACDP hazard criteriaACGM hazard criteriaSAPO criteriaHazard group v categorisationContainment levels | Presentation with handouts | Delegates well gain detailed understanding of the UK hazard criteria and categorisation for biological agents and for the activities being carried out. The associated containment levels will also be covered. |
| Microbiological risk assessment | Risk assessing biological work as part of project proposal | Presentation with handouts and workshop | Delegates will be given an understanding of assessing a microbiological based project/activity so that the ‘best fit’ facility, equipment etc are selected. The workshop then gives them the opportunity to work through given examples in groups and discuss the different approaches available. |
| Health & Safety management | H&S management of CL3 facilitiesOccupational Health | Presentation with handouts. | Delegates will be given an understanding of the various health and safety management requirements when working at Containment Level 3. This will include occupational health, health records. |
| Biosecurity and physical security | Biosecurity v Biosafety HSE security requirements Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act | Presentation with handouts | Delegates will be given an overview of Biosecurity and legislative security requirements including a brief overview of Schedule 5 of the Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act. |
| Code of Practice | Why it is required What it should contain | Presentation with handouts and workshop | Delegates will be given a brief guide to Codes of Practice. The workshop then gives the delegates an opportunity to work in groups and develop a code of practice and discuss the different approaches and contents. |
| Bio containment equipment; design, purpose, selection and monitoring of equipment & facilities | Why it is needed How it works Purchasing the correct equipment Design & testing | Presentation with handouts. | Delegates will be given an understanding of why it is important to choose the correct equipment for working at Containment Level 3, design, testing and monitoring of the equipment and facilities and the variety of biocontainment equipment currently available. |
| Disinfection and Fumigation | What is disinfection? Types Uses Why fumigate? Sealability | Presentation with handouts | Delegates will be given an understanding of the use and efficacy of disinfectants in a laboratory and the principles behind formaldehyde and vHP fumigation of the laboratory and cabinets |
| Sterilisation | What is sterilisation? Uses | Presentation with handouts | Delegates will understand the difference between disinfection and sterilisation and the principles behind autoclaving. |
| Personal Protective Equipment | Requirements Purpose Types Hand washing | Presentation with handouts. Demonstration and practical | Delegates will understand the purpose behind various laboratory PPE and be able to select appropriately for their own use. |
| Pathogen movement | Transport Waste | Presentation with handouts | Delegates will understand their responsibilities when moving biological agents either as samples or as waste. The methods and requirements of packaging etc will be covered. |
| Laboratory design | Designing a CL3 facility | Workshop and handout | Delegates work in groups deciding what they need to create their perfect CL3 facility using the information they have received throughout the course. |
| Inspection and audit | What is an inspection What is an audit | Presentation with handouts and practical | Delegates will be given an overview of inspection and audit, why they need to be carried out and what they involve. Then carry out an inspection of a CL3 laboratory, this gives delegates a greater understanding of their facilities and what the regulators will be looking at when they visit. |
| Cabinetry | MSC class I, II, III | Practical | Delegates observe and take part in a practical demonstration and discussion of how Class I, II and Class III cabinets work; airflow, testing, use, components etc and how they should be used when working with hazard group 3 pathogens. |
| Working at Containment Level 3 | Dexterity tests Manipulations Work management | Practical | Delegates participate in various practical exercises used to demonstrate the importance of planning, time management and choice of equipment when working at CL3. |
| Accident/emergency procedures | Accident and incident scenarios | Workshop and role play followed by group presentations and discussion | Up to half a day working through a variety of accident and incident scenarios. These give delegates confidence in their ability to respond to an incident and an understanding of the impact on the group, BSO, Institute and stakeholders if an incident occurs. |
| Human Factors | Human Factors | Presentation & handouts. Workshop | A brief overview of how human behaviour affects the working day, followed by a short workshop activity. |
| Written Test | Questions from entire course content | Short answer and multiple choice | To show that delegates have understood the course content. |
Outcomes
All delegates will receive a certificate following full attendance and successful completion of the written test.
The course will give delegates a greater understanding of working at Containment Level 3 and the legal requirements for the laboratory facility and for the equipment and work carried out within a facility. It will also give them the skills and confidence to deal with accidents and incidents and enforce their duty and the duty of others in maintaining and working in a safe environment.