Biosafety Risk Assessment Methodology

Laboratories that work with biological agents need to manage their safety risks to persons working the laboratories and the human and animal community in the surrounding areas. Accepted biosafety best practices and international guidance span a wide variety of biosafety risk mitigation measures, which can be categorized as engineering controls, procedural and administrative controls, and the use of personal protective equipment. The determination of which mitigation measures should be used to address the specific laboratory risks should be dependent upon a risk assessment. Ideally, a risk assessment should be conducted in a manner which is standardized and systematic allowing it to be repeatable and comparable. A risk assessment should clearly define the risk being assessed and avoid over complication.