In line with the Tuberculosis Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030, Pillar I, key area B, WHO/Europe’s Joint Infectious Diseases Programme is holding a 3-day regional virtual training on TB laboratory biosafety.
In clinical diagnostics, laboratory biosafety cabinets (BSCs) are a key piece of biosafety equipment for many infectious diseases, including airborne infections such as tuberculosis (TB). Their correct functioning through accurate and timely maintenance is of crucial importance to their role as safety equipment.
To this end, it is of high importance that the laboratory manager and the biosafety officer of laboratories whose work requires the use of a BSC – especially BSC class II – can evaluate whether testing and maintenance work are conducted according to the appropriate standards, rules and regulations.
Objectives and curriculum
The objective of this training is to increase biosafety capacity in laboratories that perform drug susceptibility testing (DST).
Participants will be trained in the theoretical aspects of TB laboratory BSC maintenance following international rules, standards and recommendations. In this context, the key tests that should be performed as part of the maintenance work and the main criteria that the laboratory should check when hiring a maintenance engineer or company will be presented. Furthermore, participants will be walked through each step of the expected maintenance report. They will also learn how to do simple tests to verify some of the key biosafety indicators for the correct functioning of their BSCs.
Expected outputs
After this training, the participants are expected to be able to (i) request the right services based on key requirements, (ii) evaluate whether the maintenance work performed on their BSCs is done correctly and completely, and (iii) understand the simple but important ways to verify the safety of their BSC before and after maintenance work.
Training modalities
The training will take place online using the Zoom platform. Participants are requested to register before the training.
Target audience
TB laboratory managers and laboratory biosafety officers or quality managers from any laboratory that performs DST and has biosafety class II equipment.
Dates of the training
17–19 January 2023; 10:30–13:30 Central European Time
Registration link
https://who.zoom.us/j/94561609136
Meeting ID: 945 6160 9136
Passcode: BSC23@WHO