Welcome to Online Biosafety Level 1 Training for Supervisors

Training consists of content from varied sources, however all questions are multiple choice, which are answered on one sheet. To complete "Biosafety Level 1 Training for Supervisors", download the Safety Training Bubble Sheet, fill out your personal information on your computer and then print it. Once the sheet is printed, use it to mark your answers as you make your way through the training below. Once you have completed the course content, sign the bottom of the Bubble Sheet and deliver it to the Biosafety Office HSC 1J11A.

The current test subject is: Biosafety Level 1

The current test version is: 1.21

In order to receive credit for "Biosafety Level 1 Training for Supervisors", all of the answers must be correct. You will be contacted via email if this criteria is not met.

The Public Health Agency of Canada provides learning materials via their Biosafety Training Website. Some materials are accessed through this portal and you must create an account for access.

Part 1. Risk Groups, Containment Levels and Risk Assessment

Content: PHAC Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3

1.	Risk group classification takes into account which of the following:
	a.	Whether or not a worker is immunocompromised.
	b.	The procedures to be used in conjunction with the pathogen.
	c.	Characteristics inherent to the pathogen.
	d.	Extreme scenarios.
	e.	All of the above.
2.	Risk group 1 classification is:
	a.	Any biological agent that is unlikely to cause disease in healthy workers or animals.
	b.	Any pathogen that can cause human disease but, under normal circumstances, is unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory workers, the community, livestock or the environment. Laboratory exposures rarely cause infection leading to serious disease; effective treatment and preventive measures are available, and the risk of spread is limited
	c.	Any pathogen that usually causes serious human disease or can result in serious economic consequences but does not ordinarily spread by casual contact from one individual to another, or that causes diseases treatable by antimicrobial or antiparasitic agents.
	d.	Any pathogen that usually produces very serious human disease, often untreatable, and may be readily transmitted from one individual to another, or from animal to human or vice-versa, directly or indirectly, or by casual contact.
	e.	All of the above.
3.	Risk group classification is intended to establish the actual handling of biological hazards in a laboratory setting.
	a.	True
	b.	False
4.	Containment level descriptions are meant to provide the user with the following requirmements that they must meet in order to handle their pathogen safely:
	a.	Engineering requirements.
	b.	Operational requirements.
	c.	Technical requirements.
	d.	Physical requirements.
	e.	All of the above.
5.	Characteristics of Containment Level 1 include
	a.	HEPA filtration of exhausted laboratory air.
	b.	An isolated unit, functionally and, when necessary, structurally independent of other areas.
	c.	Any well-designed space may be used, work is carried out on the open bench, BSCs not required, and containment is achieved through the use of practices normally employed in a basic microbiology laboratory.
	d.	Use of the BSC and primary containment device, centrifuges with sealed rotors or sealed cups, appropriate PPE (such as gloves, lab coats and goggles), decontamination of waste materials and frequent use of handwashing sinks.
	e.	All of the above.
6.	Which of the following factors should be considered in a risk assessment?
	a.	Risk Group level.
	b.	Potential for aerosol generation, quantity and concentration of the pathogen and its stability in the environment.
	c.	Type of work proposed.
	d.	If applicable, characteristics of manipulated recombinant organisms (e.g., gene coding for virulence factors or toxins; host range alteration; oncogenicity; replication capacity; capability to revert to wild type)
	e.	All of the above.

 

Part 2. Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAI)

7.	Which of the following are common lab accidents which can lead to an exposure: (LBG Chap 3 Intro)
	a.	Spills and splashes.
	b.	Needlestick injury.
	c.	Cuts from sharps or broken glass.
	d.	Animal bites and scratches.
	e.	All of the above.
8.	Which of the following statements are true?
	a.	Inhalation exposure results from mouth pipetting, splashes into the mouth, contaminated articles and fingers, eating, drinking.
	b.	Ingestion exposure results from spills, splashes, contaminated surfaces or equipment.
	c.	Innoculation exposure results from procedures that generate aerosols.
	d.	Contamination of the skin and mucous membranes results from needlesticks, cuts from sharp objects, animal bites and scratches.
	e.	None of the above.
9.	Aerosols are small and large droplets of liquid. Which of the following is true? (Belgian Biosafety Server - Bioaerosols - below table 1)
	a.	Large droplets evaporate quickly.
	b.	Small droplets settle and contaminate surfaces.
	c.	Large droplets settle and contaminate surfaces.
	d.	Small droplets evaporate quickly.
	e.	c and d
10.	Reporting LAIs helps us:
	a.	Identify gaps in training, containment equipment and safety barriers.
	b.	Allows for comparative analysis to help determine the cause of LAIs.
	c.	Both.
	d.	Neither.

 

Part 3. General Operational Practices

Content PHAC Biosafety Training Website: Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity >>> Principles of Laboratory Biosafety >>> General Safety for Containment Laboratories (start here)

11.	How can you reduce your risk of being infected by biohazards that you work with?
	a.	Use general biosafety operating practices.
	b.	Use good microbiological technique.
	c.	Use proper containment devices and facilities.
	d.	None of the above.
	e.	All of the above.
12.	General operational practices described in the video, are also depicted in the downloadable poster found on the McMaster Biosafety website called Biosafety In the Laboratory
	a.	True, I should download, print and post this in my laboratory!
	b.	False
13.	PPE is only to be worn in the containment laboratory. They are not to be worn in hallways, or other public areas. Lab coats and other PPE are not to be stored with street clothing. (CBSG, section 4.4)
	a.	True
	b.	False
14.	Lab techniques should be employed which reduce the creation of droplets and aerosols. There is a downloadable poster found on the McMaster Biosafety website called Procedures to Minimize Aerosol Hazards. Suggestions offered on this poster should be followed.
	a.	True, I should download, print and post this in my laboratory!
	b.	False
15.	Good microbiological techniques include: (CBSG, section 12.8)
	a.	Do not mix infectious materials with serological pipettes or pipetmen.
	b.	Do not forcibly expel liquids.
	c.	Work over absorbent material.
	d.	Always drain the pipette with the tip against the side of the tube or slowly discharge it close to the surface of the liquid.
	e.	All of the above.
16.	When working with needles and sharps (Lab Manager Magazine)
	a.	Dispose of the needle or sharp directly into a sharps container.
	b.	Never recap needles.
	c.	Always pick up dropped sharps, needles or broken glass with forceps or tongs.
	d.	None of the above.
	e.	All of the above.
17.	Leakproof containers must be used to transport infectious samples between facilities, rooms or buildings. (CBSG, page 251)
	a.	True
	b.	False
18.	Detailed spill cleanup procedures should be in your laboratory's SOPs and should include which of the following steps: (PHAC Spill Protocol)
	a.	PPE should be worn.
	b.	Cover the spill with absorbant cloths or paper towels; pour disinfectant over spill area, working from outside to inside; allow time for disinfectant to work.
	c.	Disinfect the spill a second time; put contaminated materials into a leakproof, puncture resistent waste disposal container.
	d.	Do report any spills, accidents, exposures or losses of containment to the lab supervisor immediately and follow up with an McMaster Injury/Incident Report Form.
	e.	All of the above.

 

19.	The general safety practices for containment laboratories only apply to Containment Level 1
	a.	True, only BSL1 labs have to use these practices.
	b.	False, all of these safety practices are either recommended or required for each Containment Level.
20.	A documented manual of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must be made available for everyone working in the laboratory.
	a.	True, training must be documented and signed by the worker and the supervisor.
	b.	False
21.	The general operating procedures which apply to everyone include:
	a.	Access control which involves supervision of untrained indiviuals, locked doors and limiting entry for people and vermin such as rodents and insects.
	b.	The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as labcoats, gloves, goggles and suitable footwear.
	c.	Hygienic practices which not only includes handwashing, but prohibition of eating, drinking, smoking, application of makeup and insertion/removal of contact lenses.
	d.	The supervisor is to enforce all of the above in their laboratory.
	e.	All of the above.
22.	Keeping a lab tidy includes:
	a.	Routinely removing garbage and solid wastes to their appropriate location.
	b.	Storage of papers and office materials away from the wet-lab area.
	c.	Maintaining the work area such that it is easy to decontaminate if necessary.
	d.	Keeping used gloves and any lab materials away from the computer workstation.
	e.	All of the above.
23.	Aerosols are a concern because:
	a.	They are easily detected.
	b.	They may travel rapidly throughout the laboratory or building.
	c.	They can affect only one person at a time.
	d.	They are only produced by accidents.
	e.	All of the above.
24.	Cleanup of a spill of infectious materials includes: (PHAC Spill Protocol)
	a.	Containment of the dropped liquids by covering with paper towels.
	b.	Application of disinfectant solution, appropriate to the agents manipulated, from the outside to inside of the spill and letting it sit for a minimum contact time of 30 minutes (or according to the manufacturer's directions).
	c.	Using tongs or forceps to pick up sharps or broken glass.
	d.	a and b.
	e.	a, b and c.
25.	Written emergency procedures must be available in the laboratory for situations such as spills, loss of containment, accidental exposures including near misses, mechanical failure of BSC, animal escape (if applicable) and medical emergencies.
	a.	True, all workers should read these SOPs which have been reviewed by the supervisor.
	b.	False

 

Content: PHAC Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, Section 3.1.1

26.	The operational procedures listed in section 3.1.1 apply to all workers in all laboratories handling infectious materials.
	a.	True
	b.	False
27.	The Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines will be replaced by the Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines (CBSG) which will be published in draft form this year.
	a.	True, we will follow these guidelines until such time as the CBSG takes effect.
	b.	False

 

Part 4. Injury / Incident Reporting

Content: Injury/Incident Report Please read through the report form and its explanations on the last page. Answer the following questions:

28.	The Injury/Incident report can be used to report both accidents and "near misses" which result in no injury.
	a.	True
	b.	False
29.	Who is responsible for completing the injury/incident form?
	a.	The person reporting.
	b.	The supervisor.
	c.	The main witness.
	d.	The supervisor and the person reporting.
	e.	The supervisor, the person reporting and the main witness.
30.	Who must sign the completed injury/incident form?
	a.	The person reporting.
	b.	The supervisor.
	c.	The chair or the department head.
	d.	a and b
	e.	a, b and c
31.	If the supervisor and / or the department chair or head is not available for signature, the injury/incident form can still be submitted. It must be resubmitted with the remaining signatures when available.
	a.	True
	b.	False
32.	Who is responsible for investigating the incident?
	a.	The supervisor.
	b.	The person reporting.
33.	Who is responsible for determining the corrective measures to be taken?
	a.	The supervisor.
	b.	The person reporting.
34.	Who is responsible for assigning implementation tasks to carry out those corrective measures?
	a.	The supervisor.
	b.	The person reporting.
35.	Who is responsible for taking disciplinary action where warranted?
	a.	The supervisor.
	b.	The person reporting.

 

Part 5. Waste Disposal for Containment Level 1 Laboratories

Content: Biohazardous Waste Disposal on Biosafety Website

36.	All waste is to be packaged properly prior to disposal.
	a.	True
	b.	False
37.	All solid wastes should be bagged, then discarded into the bag-lined cardboard biohazard box, thus ensuring two layers of plastic and one layer of cardboard between the infectious material and the person involved in transport and disposal of the waste.
	a.	True --> BAG! BAG! BOX! Also read page 10 and 11 of RMM#502 - Hazardous Waste Management
	b.	False
38.	Sharps can be discarded into regular waste.
	a.	True
	b.	False
39.	Liquid wastes are to be poured down the sink directly.
	a.	True, there is no need to decontaminate liquid wastes.
	b.	False. Liquids should be decontaminated with an effective disinfectant prior to be poured down the sink.
40.	Each person is responsible for properly packaging and discarding their own waste.
	a.	True
	b.	False

 

Part 5. Laboratory Physical Containment Requirements

Content: Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, Chapter 4: Laboratory Design and Physical Requirements. Please read through the matrices and note those requirements that are both recommended (open circle) and mandatory (black circle) for Containment Level 1 laboratories and answer the following questions.

41.	How many of the items are mandatory for BSL1 labs?
	a.	16
	b.	15
	c.	5
	d.	6
	e.	None of the above.
42.	In every laboratory, there should be a place where workers can store their street clothes and laboratory coats separately. This means that they should not come into contact with one another. The supervisor must provide this for the workers.
	a.	True.
	b.	False.
43.	Handwashing sinks:
	a.	Should be close to the laboratory exit.
	b.	Should be located in the anteroom if present.
	c.	Can be located anywhere in the laboratory.
	d.	a and b.
	e.	a, b and c.
44.	Although not mentioned in the Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, it is the supervisor's responsibility to inspect their laboratories and ensure appropriate maintenance and repairs are made to the physical facility as warranted. According to RMM#302:
	a.	The supervisor must ensure their workplace is inspected at least quarterly (every three months).
	b.	The supervisor must ensure communication with their workers to document any concerns in their area.
	c.	Ensure corrective actions are taken (including repairs) as required and documented on the standard recording inspection form, and ensure [workers] are informed of the actions.
	d.	The supervisor may select a designate to ensure inspections are completed and documentation is maintained.
	e.	All of the above.
45.	The supervisor should perform regular self-audits of their laboratory, their workers and their protocols based on the Containment Level 1 Laboratory Audit checklist provided by the Biosafety Office.
	a.	True
	b.	False

 

Part 6. Legislation and Import Permits

Content: Human Pathogens and Toxins Act

46.	In the definitions section of the HPTA, a human pathogen excludes risk group 1 agents.
	a.	True, the HPTA does not apply to risk group 1 agents.
	b.	False.
47.	If the BSL1 researcher decides to acquire/import a risk group 2 agents, the HPTA and all its regulations will apply to that researcher, their workers, their work and their laboratory.
	a.	True. The researcher will also have to contact the Biosafety Office to ensure that the appropriate procedures, training and containment requirements are in place prior to receiving and handling that risk group 2 agent.
	b.	False

 

Content: Human Pathogens Importation Regulations

48.	The HPIR does not apply to Risk Group 1 (BSL1) human pathogens or toxins.
	a.	True. Human BSL1 pathogens or toxins do not need an import permit.
	b.	False.
49.	The HPIR specifically excludes "3(b) to an animal pathogen, or toxins thereof, incapable of causing human disease." This means that it does INCLUDE zoonotics which are animal pathogens that CAN cause human disease.
	a.	True. Also exclusion does not mean that there are no laws pertaining to the importation of animal pathogens incapable of causing human disease. It means that this particular law does not cover those so we must look elsewhere for guidance.
	b.	False

 

Content: McMaster Pathogen Import Permit Website

50.	All BSL1 pathogens do not require an import permit.
	a.	True
	b.	False. Only BSL1 human and terrestrial animal pathogens do not require an import permit. All other types of BSL1 pathogens may require an import permit. ALL imports or shipments of pathogens require the supervisor's laboratory to have at least one person trained in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG).
51.	In order to have documentation at the border, the researcher may complete the import permit application or Statement of Status process, although neither is required.
	a.	True, in some cases the description of the package contents could mistakenly lead one to believe it is a BSL2 or higher pathogen. In this case, extra documentation would be advantageous.
	b.	False

 

Part 7. CFIA - Aquatic Animals, Plant Pests, Prions Disease Agents and Foreign Animal Diseases

 

Content: Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens

52.	With respect to the handling of aquatic animal pathogens:
	a.	This does not apply to my work and research.
	b.	This does apply to my research. I have read, understood and will implement the standards as prescribed. I will liaise the Biosafety Office to ensure documentation compliance in my laboratory.

 

Content: Facilities Handling Plant Pests

53.	With respect to the handling of plant pests:
	a.	This does not apply to my work and research.
	b.	This does apply to my research. I have read, understood and will implement the standards as prescribed. I will liaise the Biosafety Office to ensure documentation of compliance in my laboratory.

 

Content: Facilities Handling Prion Disease Agents

54.	With respect to handling prion disease agents:
	a.	This does not apply to my work and research.
	b.	This does apply to my research. I have read, understood and will implement the standards as prescribed. I will liaise the Biosafety Office to ensure documentation of compliance in my laboratory.

 

Content: Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Containment Standard

55.	a.	This does not apply to my work and research.
	b.	This does apply to my research. I have read, understood and will implement the standards as prescribed. I will liaise with the Biosafety Office to ensure documentation of compliance in my laboratory.