Dr Suzanna Lewis Suzanna is a qualified teacher and Biomedical Scientist and has worked in the training team for over 11 years developing and delivering training in Biosafety and Applied Microbiology to scientists in the UK and Internationally. She developed and delivering training with the team for Ebola pre-deployment for over 300 laboratory staff volunteers to work in Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola and was deployed to Sierra Leone for a 5 week deployment. She has delivered training in South East Asia for the WHO, Tanzania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, India and Sierra Leone and also helped develop e-learning courses which can be accessed from anywhere.
Simon Parks Simon is a Senior Biosafety Scientist specialising in bio-containment, aerobiology and gaseous decontamination. Simon has been working in the Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, based at PHE Porton Down for over 28 years. His considerable experience includes providing technical input in to the design, installation and validation of specialist high containment equipment and aerosol transmission systems used within PHE. Simon has Type tested Biosafety cabinets for several companies to EN12469. Simon is the SME on Biosafety cabinetry for this course.
1. Name 2. Occupation 3. Previous experience with Biosafety Cabinets 4. What you want most to gain from this training 5. One interesting or unusual fact about you (e.g a hobby)
•Should you discover a fire yourself, inform a member of the NADP training team and we will sound the nearest alarm and will inform the PHE operator of the exact location of the fire.
•The Fire System will be tested on Tuesday at 10:50 hrs. Should the alarm be continuous treat it as a real fire situation and follow the instructions given.
Passes and restrictions Passes • Passes must be worn in a clearly visible position at all times when on site. • Passes will be issued from the Gatehouse on a daily basis and must be returned at the end of the working day. • Passes are NOT to be taken off site.
Cameras • The use of cameras or binoculars on the site is not permitted. Leave photographic capable mobile phones at the Gatehouse including Laptops with video conferencing facilities (or complete disclaimer).
Smoking/Vaping • UKHSA operates a NO SMOKING or Vaping policy on most of the site. A smoking/Vaping hut is available hut is available at the far end of the site from the main entrance and an area is available near the training facility
Telephone • Mobile phones may interfere with sensitive equipment and therefore are only allowed to be used in the courtyard outside the restaurant. If you need to use the UKHSA telephone system, please ask.
Food and Drink
• You can only eat or drink in the canteen, specified areas or water stations.
• NSF International is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental
public health and safety organization. • Their mission and focus is to protect and improve human health • With respect to biosafety cabinets, NSF maintains the American National Standard (NSF/ANSI 49, also recognized globally), tests and certifies BSC model lines, and tests and accredits BSC field certifiers
• Establishment of Joint Committee to provide input and development of national standard • Certification Program for biosafety cabinets – tested at headquarters • Accreditation Program for field certifiers of biosafety cabinets (Enhanced & Basic Accreditation programs)
• Verifies HEPA filters are not damaged or loaded to the point that the airflow balance is impacted • Visualizes airflow with smoke tests • Verification that alarms are functioning as intended (sash height, exhaust airflow volume, etc) • Some optional user-comfort tests • Decontamination test is forthcoming in program
• Training addresses international standards, not just NSF 49 (i.e. EN 12469)
• A shorter, more concise written examination (Enhanced programme requires experience (at least one year) on both type A and type B biosafety cabinets) • Fewer practical examination tests – no tests related to type B BSCs are required • Participants do not have to travel to U.S., nor are two training sessions required as is typical under the Enhanced program • Fewer pieces of test equipment are required - program allows alternate methods for inflow velocity using more portable devices
• Training on biosafety cabinets (type A only, shorter time period)
• Passing results on both written and practical examinations (80/90) • Annual proof of calibrated test equipment • Signed ethics statement
Additional requirements: • field certifiers submit a minimum of 5 test reports to NSF each year for review and comment (no penalty for corrections) • submissions will renew certificate for another year (up to 5 years, at which time it can be renewed).
Course Structure Requested by MSF to deliver a 1 week course that allows for testing of BSCIIs in laboratories by MSF staff in the field, to assure that they are safe for use with infectious materials. Without the need for official NSF certification.
• Interactive lectures to establish microbiological context
and introduce key concepts • Familiarisation with BSC II and test equipment • Demonstration of each testing methodology • Hands-on testing of each testing methodology • Reporting of test results • Group Discussions relevant to MSF needs
Logistics: • Taxis should be arranged to pick you up from your Hotel each morning at 08:30 to be here for 9am, and return to collect you at 5pm (unless advised otherwise by us). • Prepaid lunches and coffees at UKHSA are available throughout the duration of your training from an on-site canteen
