Biological Laboratories


Book Description

As the number of biological labs increases, so too do the safety risks for lab workers. Data on these risks-collected through a safety reporting system (SRS) from reports of hazards, incidents, and accidents-can support safety efforts. However, no such system exists for all biological labs, and a limited system-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-applies to only a subset of these labs. While a national SRS has been proposed, design and implementation are complex. In this context, GAO was asked to identify lessons from (1) the literature and (2) case studies; and to apply those lessons to (3) assess CDC and APHIS's theft, loss, or release (TLR) system for select agents, such as anthrax, and (4) suggest design and implementation considerations for a labwide SRS. To do its work, GAO analyzed SRS literature; conducted case studies of SRSs in aviation, commercial nuclear, and health care industries; and interviewed agency officials and biosafety specialists.




Biological Laboratories


Book Description

"As the number of biological labs increases, so too do the safety risks for lab workers. Data on these risks-collected through a safety reporting system (SRS) from reports of hazards, incidents, and accidents-can support safety efforts. However, no such system exists for all biological labs, and a limited system-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-applies to only a subset of these labs. While a national SRS has been proposed, design and implementation are complex. In this context, GAO was asked to identify lessons from (1) the literature and (2) case studies; and to apply those lessons to (3) assess CDC and APHIS's theft, loss, or release (TLR) system for select agents, such as anthrax, and (4) suggest design and implementation considerations for a labwide SRS. To do its work, GAO analyzed SRS literature; conducted case studies of SRSs in aviation, commercial nuclear, and health care industries; and interviewed agency officials and biosafety specialists. "




Biological Laboratories


Book Description

Biological Laboratories: Design and Implementation Considerations for Safety Reporting Systems




Biological Laboratories


Book Description

As the number of biological labs increases, so do the safety risks for lab workers. Data on these risks -- collected through a safety reporting system (SRS) from reports of hazards, incidents, and accidents -- can support safety efforts. However, no such system exists for all biological labs, and a limited system, managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), applies to only a subset of these labs. Given the increase in biological labs and therefore risks, it is essential to understand the sources of risk and how to communicate them. This book examines the collection of data on accidents, incidents, and hazards in biological labs, that can help identify accident precursors. If the precursors can be identified, communicated, and eliminated, the occurrence of accidents, in particular those resulting in injury or death, might be prevented.




Review of CDC Anthrax Lab Incident


Book Description




Rail Transit


Book Description

Although transit service is generally safe, recent high-profile accidents on several large rail transit systems notably the June 2009 collision in Washington, D.C., that resulted in nine fatalities and 52 injuries have raised concerns. The Fed. Transit Admin. (FTA) oversees state agencies that directly oversee rail transit agencies' safety practices. FTA also provides assistance to transit agencies, such as funding and training, to enhance safety. This report determined: (1) the challenges the largest rail transit systems face in ensuring safety; and (2) the extent to which assistance provided by FTA addresses these challenges. The author visited eight large rail transit systems and their respective state oversight agencies. Illus. This is a print on demand report.




Biosafety in the Laboratory


Book Description

Biosafety in the Laboratory is a concise set of practical guidelines for handling and disposing of biohazardous material. The consensus of top experts in laboratory safety, this volume provides the information needed for immediate improvement of safety practices. It discusses high- and low-risk biological agents (including the highest-risk materials handled in labs today), presents the "seven basic rules of biosafety," addresses special issues such as the shipping of dangerous materials, covers waste disposal in detail, offers a checklist for administering laboratory safetyâ€"and more.




Laboratory Biosecurity Handbook


Book Description

By achieving a delicate balance between systems and practices, proper laboratory biosecurity reduces the risk of legitimate bioscience facilities becoming sources of pathogens and toxins for malicious use. Effective design and implementation of laboratory biosecurity depends on cooperation among individuals from diverse communities, including scien




Biological Safety


Book Description

Biological safety and biosecurity protocols are essential to the reputation and responsibility of every scientific institution, whether research, academic, or production. Every risk—no matter how small—must be considered, assessed, and properly mitigated. If the science isn't safe, it isn't good. Now in its fifth edition, Biological safety: Principles and Practices remains the most comprehensive biosafety reference. Led by editors Karen Byers and Dawn Wooley, a team of expert contributors have outlined the technical nuts and bolts of biosafety and biosecurity within these pages. This book presents the guiding principles of laboratory safety, including: the identification, assessment, and control of the broad variety of risks encountered in the lab; the production facility; and, the classroom. Specifically, Biological Safety covers protection and control elements—from biosafety level cabinets and personal protection systems to strategies and decontamination methods administrative concerns in biorisk management, including regulations, guidelines, and compliance various aspects of risk assessment covering bacterial pathogens, viral agents, mycotic agents, protozoa and helminths, gene transfer vectors, zooonotic agents, allergens, toxins, and molecular agents as well as decontamination, aerobiology, occupational medicine, and training A resource for biosafety professionals, instructors, and those who work with pathogenic agents in any capacity, Biological safety is also a critical reference for laboratory managers, and those responsible for managing biohazards in a range of settings, including basic and agricultural research, clinical laboratories, the vivarium, field study, insectories, and greenhouses.