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Biological Safety Training

If you have questions concerning biosafety training, please contact Robin Trundy by phone (322-0927) or e-mail (robin.trundy@vanderbilt.edu).

Basics of Biosafety

Target Audience:   Non-research personnel who may enter laboratories or other research area where recombinant DNA, potentially infectious agents, or human/non-human blood or body fluids are used or stored.

This is not intended for persons who conduct research with these materials, but for those who may be asked to perform maintenance, housekeeping, or other services in the research facility.

Class Description:  Basic description of biological hazards and regulated biological materials; principles of biosafety level containment, protective and preventive measures, and hazard communication as it relates to biological materials.

Class Length:  30 minutes

Class Schedule/Location:  To request training, please contact a member of the Biological Safety Section staff.

Animal Biosafety Principles for Researchers

Target Audience:  Investigators and research staff members who will be carrying out animal studies that require animal biosafety level 2 (ABSL-2) containment.

Class Description:  This training course provides an overview of animal biosafety levels and general containment practices applicable to the lab animal research setting. The training focus is adhering to ABSL-2 principles while conducting common procedures including challenge, sample collection, cage change and terminal procedures. 

Class Length:  2 hours

Class Schedule/Location:  To request training, please contact Robin Trundy by email (robin.trundy@vanderbilt.edu) or phone (322-0927).

Principles & Practices of Biosafety
course schedule 

Target Audience:  Investigators and research staff members who handle any of the following in a research lab setting:

  • Agents infectious to humans
  • Toxins of a biological origin
  • Human or non-human primate derived materials including blood, cells and tissues
  • Recombinant DNA molecules.
Class Description:  This training course provides an introduction to safe laboratory practices for laboratorians working at BSL1 and BSL2.  The following topics selected from the CDC/NIH's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 5th edition, are discussed:  risk assessment, biohazard containment with special emphasis on the function of the biological safety cabinet, biosafety level assignment, standard microbiological practices, as well as spill and emergency response procedures.

Class Length:  2.5 hours (plus an additional 30 minutes if also completing Working Safely with Human Derived Materials in the Lab in conjunction with this session)

Class Schedule/Location:  See Course Schedule.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Required by:  Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, OSHA 1910.1030

Frequency:  Initial with annual retraining

Target Audience:  Any staff/faculty exposed to human blood, body fluids, tissues or cells, or exposure to one of these viruses: HIV, HBV or HCV.

Class Description:  Training covers the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, transmission for bloodborne pathogens, biohazard labeling requirements, personal protective equipment, available VUMC engineering controls and appropriate disposal of linens and waste.

Class Schedule/Location:  

Working Safely with Human-Derived Materials in the Lab

Required by:  Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, OSHA 1910.1030

Frequency:  Initial with annual retraining

NOTE:  New personnel should complete this training via an instructor led course if at all possible.

Target Audience:  Any staff/faculty exposed to human blood, body fluids, tissues or cells, or exposure to one of these viruses: HIV, HBV or HCV in a laboratory setting.

Class Length:  Self-paced if completed online in VandySafe; 30 minutes if completed as part of an instructor-led training session.

Class Schedule/Location:   Online in VandySafe.  This training is also provided in an instructor-led session in conjunction with the Principles & Practices of Biosafety training.

Shipping Biological Substances - USDOT and IATA
course schedule

Required by:  U.S. Department of Transportation 49 CFR 172.700 - 172.704, and
International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations

Frequency:  Initial with refresher at least every two years; Refresher training is required more frequently when there are significant regulatory changes.

Target Audience:  Employees whose job requires them to:

  • Package or ship any biological materials on Dry Ice (or prepare the paperwork for such packages).
  • Package or ship human or animal clinical specimens or tissues.
  • Package or ship any human or animal clinical specimens as part of a study where the sponsor has designated these materials as Category B biological substances (or prepare paperwork for such packages).
  • Package or ship any materials that may contain an agent infectious to humans or animals (i.e., microbiological cultures).

Class Description:  Topics include Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Awareness; identification and preparation of biological substances and Dry Ice for shipment; safety, incident response and security considerations for shipments of biological substances; and other Issues; to receive certification, participants must successfully demonstrate understanding of these elements through testing .

NOTE:   A separate refresher course is not being offered at this time. If you have previously completed this training, you should plan to complete the training again within 24 months of your previous training date.

Class Length:  2.5 hours plus test completion time.

Class Schedule/Location:   See Course Schedule.

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