Pre-Conference Workshop 8: Performing Biological Risk Assessment: Principle and Methodology

Ms. Chook Mee Lan
Dr. Su Yun Se Thoe
June 1, 2016, 9­ am–12 pm

Ms. Chook Mee Lan

The first workshop was a success, so all participants were already looking forward to the second workshop, which was Performing Biological Risk Assessment: Principle and Methodology. Although some participants have had attended past basic biological risk assessment, this would serve as a refresher course. The first to speak was Chook Mee Lan from Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore. She opened the workshop by having a quick look at the principles of performing risk assessment in a biological environment. She went on to explain about hazard identification, how to evaluate, do risk control and perform assessment. Ms. Mee Lan would later on give the stage to Dr. Se Thoe from Singapore Ministry of Health to present the introduction to activities-based risk assessment. She also talked through risk assessment by evaluating the severity and likelihood of a risk (risk equation: risk = severity x likelihood) and by applying the 5×5 risk evaluation matrix. After risk assessment is the risk mitigation. This includes engineering controls, administrative controls, practices and procedures, and personal protective equipment. The last stage would be the performance, which is to maintain sustainability and reduce risk. Before the workshop ended, the participants were given a technical scenario about risk assessment in which they have to fill out the form guided by all the concepts explained. All groups participated and reported their assessment. By the end of the workshop, everyone was smiling, an initial good indication of a successful workshop.

Participants from the workshop