Overview
Carleton University offers a vital in-person Biosafety Training session designed for anyone who works with biohazardous materials. The three-hour course provides essential information on Health and Safety practices, risk assessment, and proper handling of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, protozoa, biotoxins, and related materials. It also covers work with potentially biohazardous materials like blood and mammalian cell lines, ensuring participants understand the safeguards needed to protect themselves and others.
Why This Training Is Important
Working with biohazards requires strict adherence to established safety protocols. This training emphasizes:
– Safe handling and storage of biohazardous materials
– Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
– Decontamination, waste disposal, and spill response procedures
– Waste minimization, emergency preparedness, and incident reporting
– Ethical considerations and regulatory compliance in biotechnology labs
Course Details
Date and Format: In-person, three hours long. A hands-on introduction to biosafety principles suitable for researchers, lab technicians, students, and staff who routinely work with biological agents.
Location: 3400, Canal Building, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6. The central campus venue provides a professional learning environment with real-world relevance to daily lab work.
Audience: This course is mandatory for all persons working with biohazardous materials at the university or affiliated laboratories. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to reduce risk and ensure a safe work setting.
What You Will Learn
- Fundamental biosafety concepts and risk assessment for common agents
- Storage, labeling, and transport of biological materials
- Selection and proper use of PPE, including when and how to change PPE
- Disinfection, sterilization, and clean-up procedures for spills and exposures
- Housekeeping, biosafety cabinets, and equipment maintenance
- Regulatory requirements, reporting protocols, and record-keeping
Assessment and Certification
Completion of the course includes a quiz administered through Brightspace. Participants should expect a short assessment to reinforce learning and confirm understanding of key biosafety practices. Upon successful completion, attendees receive certification that can be added to professional records and resumes.
Logistics and Contact
To register or obtain more information, please contact Sadaf Umer at sadafumer@cunet.carleton.ca. The university’s biosafety team is available to answer questions about course content, scheduling, and requirements.
What to Bring and How to Prepare
Participants should bring government-issued photo ID for on-site registration, their familiarity with brifish university lab policies, and any prior biosafety materials they may have studied. Dress code is casual to business casual; wear closed-toe shoes and bring any required PPE as advised by the instructors.
