*Please note: online CANVAS catalog available April 15th, 2020; online courses will be no longer be available on Moodle. Practical sessions will be available once regular campus activities resume. Please visit covid19.ubc.ca for the latest updates on Coronavirus and UBC’s response.
Laboratory Biological Safety
The University Biosafety Committee requires successful completion of the UBC Laboratory Biological Safety Course for all personnel working with Risk Group 1, 2 or 3. The intent of this requirement is not only to ensure compliance with university regulations, but more specifically, to prevent exposure of its employees to biohazards. This applies to all principal investigators/course directors, faculty, staff and students conducting work with these materials.
While staff may have received biosafety training from other institutes, they must complete the UBC Biosafety Course, so that they are aware of the protocols specific to UBC.
As the primary factor in the prevention of laboratory accidents and laboratory associated infections is fully trained faculty and staff, it is important that all staff are appropriately trained in the proper procedures of handling biological materials.
The Laboratory Biological Safety Course has 2 components:
- An on-line course (12 modules) through Moodle – a CWL is required to login.
- A lab practical & final exam
You may complete the on-line portion at anytime through the link below. You must complete the lab practical and exam (70% pass mark) after the on-line portion to obtain your certification.
How to enroll
Online Course Material
- Go to the link below and log-in using your Campus Wide Login (CWL) to access
CANVAS - Complete all sections. More sections will become available as you complete each section.
- When you complete the on-line portion, you will be able to register for the practical session.
Lab Practical and Final Exam
The next available lab practical sessions and exams are on the Safety Training page
To Register for Lab Practical
Registration becomes available after completion of the on-line course. For individuals who have already completed the required course material in Moodle, please contact Cherie Michels (Cherie.michels@ubc.ca) to register in the upcoming session.
Course Details
| Course Facilitator: | Cherie Michels |
| Phone #: | 250-807-8656 |
| Is there a practical session? | Yes – must complete on-line portion first |
| Is there an exam? | Yes – 70% needed to pass |
Course Description
The Department of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) will be presenting the Biosafety Course at the Okanagan campus. This course, which consists of an on-line course (in Moodle), a practical session and a final exam, is designed to provide best practices for safety of biohazardous materials.
Registration priority will be given to people who are responsible for or working with Risk Group 2 materials or blood and bodily products because they are required to take the course. If space permits, other people working with biohazardous materials are welcome to join the group.
This course will cover a variety of topics related to biosafety including the following:
- Definitions and classifications of biohazardous materials
- What is the difference between containment Level 1 and 2 lab?
- Risk factors in the lab
- Which practices can best protect you in the lab?
- Which can put you at risk?
- Equipment and safe use guidelines
- What can you do to limit your exposure to aerosolized biological materials?
- Biosafety Cabinets
- What is a Biosafety Cabinet and how do they work?
- How is a Biosafety Cabinet different from a fume hood?
- What are some safe practices for working within a Biosafety Cabinet?
- Decontamination
- What is the different between a decontaminant and a sterilant?
- What types of decontamination are available?
- Waste
- How are biohazardous materials packaged for disposal and how are they inactivated?
- What are the disposal procedures for various types of biohazards?