Global Trends in Biorisk Management

Abstract

This report recapitulates the diverse aspects of biological safety. Biological laboratory is a space that facilitates the handling and storage of microorganisms, their components or their derivatives. Laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens have to act in a responsible manner to manage the safety and security threats posed by these pathogens. This necessity was foreground in the December 2008 World at risk report, which specifically demanded bioscience laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens to implement a unified laboratory biorisk management framework to enhance their safety and security. The report also discusses the guidelines of biosafety regulations provided by World Health Organization (WHO) that are necessary to adequately and sustainably manage these biorisks and helps in better understanding of risk governance approaches for laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens to achieve the ultimate goal of minimizing or preventing the occurrence and consequences of human error within the laboratory environment: the biorisk management approach, composed of biosafety, laboratory biosecurity and ethical responsibility. It preferably provides an agreement between authorities, the public, and the scientific community establishing trust and societal safety and security, while enabling the continued progress of science. Biorisk management approach demonstrates that biorisks in all their potential forms are appropriately addressed, managed and minimized. Thus, biorisk management has become an important aspect of the development and sustainability of biological activities.

Implementation of Bio-Risk Management System in a National Clinical and Medical Referral Centre Laboratories

“…Bio-risk management as a guideline to regulate assets and manage permissions to biological materials requires a comprehensive system to be implemented, which includes policy and management aspects [ 4 ]. This comprehensive system aims to provide a framework for organisations to conduct bio-risk assessment and ensure that all laboratory’s activities can be sustainably maintained [ 5 ].…”

“…A bio-safety audit conducted in two university laboratories in Singapore indicated that inconsistency of bio-safety commitment affects procedures in a laboratory [ 14 ]. In addition to providing personal protective equipment, there should be a combination of policies and systems to protect laboratory workers from intentional or unintentional risk of infections and human errors, as well as appropriate steps for biomedical waste management [ 4 , 5 ]. A documented standard operational procedure (SOP) is an important part of this effort to ensure the consistency of test performance and reliable outcomes.…”

A Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Biorisk Management System in Research and Diagnostic Laboratories in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…To avoid laboratory-acquired infections and control the spread of potentially hazardous agents in the environment, diagnostic and research laboratories must maintain a safe and secure environment (1). For safe and secure practices, laboratories must have a complete Biorisk Management (BRM) system that complies with the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and bioethical guidelines (1)(2)(3).…”

Assessment of biorisk management implementation in NIHRD laboratory as national referral laboratory of emerging infectious diseases in Indonesia

“…3 Laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens need to manage it biorisk to prevent any occurrence of human error intentionally or unintentionally in laboratory, implementing biorisk management approach and ethical responsibility. 7 Equipment and facility may also contribute to the safety of laboratory according their level of pathogen handling. 8 A reliable high containment laboratory is crucial to perform laboratory diagnosis for EIDs and to avoid further spread of EIDs.…”