Every year, a number of accidents happen in laboratories. Laboratory workers play a huge part in this, yet they face issues of being at risk, or immensely  exposed to risks. But what makes the risks real is the acknowledgment and imminence of a consequence. These issues, whether it is biosafety or biosecurity related, have to be addressed, because these issues may affect the laboratory worker itself, other people, and the environment. It is an exhaustion-borne thought, one that needs proper and immediate action.

Biological Risk Association Philippines (BRAP) has been on the move and taking actions on raising awareness of the laboratory workers in this field. Risks bear repeating, so BRAP addresses these issues by conducting seminars and workshops throughout the Philippines.

Last November 7, as a pre-convention workshop to the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc.’s (PAMET) 52nd Annual Convention held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, BRAP’s founding and incumbent president, Dr. Miguel Martin N.

Dr. Moreno on Biorisk Management Workshop

Moreno II, conducted a full-scale 1-day workshop on biorisk management  entitled Empowering Medical Technologists Towards Global Advancement, which follows the convention’s theme.

There was a total of 92 enthusiastic participants coming from different major parts of the Philippines (National Capital Region, North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) who attended the workshop. The workshop was well represented because the participants came from primary, secondary, and tertiary laboratories.

Different topics that are pertinent in  biorisk management were explored. These include: Laboratory Safety Program, where a basic review in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity underlie; also, two tools were introduced to the participants to help them in their assessment of risks in their laboratory: the Activities-based 5×5 Risk Management Matrix and the BioRAM by Sandia National Laboratories.

BRAP has been living out its vision and mission by delivering significant seminars and workshops throughout the Philippines. Since its inception last September 2015, BRAP has had 4 major workshop and seminars carried out, and numerous speaking engagements regarding biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management, and there are still more brewing come 2017. If you are interested to become a member of BRAP, please check the BRAP’s website. Directions for bank payment are likewise explained.

Thank you to PAMET National President Mr. Ronnie Puno, CPD Chair Dr. Leila Florento, PAMET National Officers, Regional Directors, and Chapter Presidents for your collaboration.