Design standards, biosafety level criteria, and performance requirements are continually evolving to keep pace with the rapidly changing technologies used in Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories. For BSL-3 laboratory mechanical systems, the ventilation and specific design features are vital to containment and protecting workers, the community, and critical research. Commissioning is an essential risk management strategy...Read More
While laboratories present a significant opportunity for energy savings, executing a successful energy saving program is challenging. This is largely due to the complexity of the environments and the sensitive operations being performed combined with the need to prioritize and ensure safety. Correctly qualifying laboratory spaces for energy conservation measures (ECM) such as occupied ventilation...Read More
Research into therapies and vaccines for COVID-19 is exploding across the globe. Laboratories looking to begin research involving SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, must rapidly assess whether their facilities, policies and training are sufficient to protect their employees and the surrounding community. SARS-CoV-2 is a new pathogen and we learn more about it every...Read More
It’s been over 10 years since the tragic death of a staff research assistant in the chemistry department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Devastating and high-profile laboratory accidents such as this have elevated safety concerns for academic and biotech research facilities in recent years, driving many to seek ways make safety an...Read More
There are a lot of decisions that go into launching a biotech start-up, but one of the most important for the long-term success of your new company is the decision to establish a culture of safety. This is best done through the clear and intentional development of an environmental health and safety (EHS) program. Not...Read More
It is not a matter of if disasters will occur, but when will they occur. According to the Business Continuity Institute – 2019 Horizon Scan Report the top five threats of greatest concern for 2020 are: Cyber-attack or data breach IT and telecom outage Adverse weather or natural disaster Critical infrastructure failure (e.g. power disruption)...Read More
With the proper training, engineering controls and administrative precautions, laboratory safety risks can be effectively managed. However, accidents can and do happen. Accidents, while unfortunate, present an opportunity to learn and improve the performance of a laboratory safety program. The investigation must be carefully and thoughtfully executed to gain the full benefits of an accident...Read More
If your biotechnology organization has a thoroughly developed business continuity plan or crisis management plan, you might think you’re well prepared for the unexpected. However, how can you really know your plan will work? While there’s no foolproof way to ensure your research facility or commercial laboratory is 100 percent safe from vulnerabilities and disaster...Read More
The goal of any early stage biotech company is continual growth and success. However, as positive as company growth is, unless you initially leased an enormous laboratory, you may find that success means growing out of your existing space and designing a new one. In the biotechnology entrepreneurship world, growing and moving on is far...Read More
Moving a biotech laboratory to a new space isn’t as simple as renting a U-Haul and packing up boxes. You’ll have specific responsibilities and obligations that need to be followed to ensure you leave behind a clean, safe space for the next tenant. EHS Essentials for Biotech Start-Ups First thing’s first: determine your decommissioning...Read More
