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

Pre-Conference Workshop 4: Bioethics & Biosecurity Education Tools
Abhi Veerakumarasivam, PhD
Dr. Tatyana Novossiolova
May 31, 2016, 2­–5 pm

Dr. Abhi Veerakumarasivam

Prior to the conference, all participants were made to choose from the eight workshops they would like to attend for the pre-conference workshop that took place on the first two days of the conference. The first workshop was “Bioethics & Biosecurity Education Tools“. Led by the expertise of Mr. Veerakumarasivam from University Putra Malaysia, this first part of the workshop focused on ethics of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program by promoting responsible science through active learning. With this, it was known that the most effective way for learners to retain knowledge is by “teaching someone else”. Mr. Abhi started with the basics by explaining the RCR and gradually moved to complex concepts of research misconduct, and authorship and publication. Along with this, different types of research misconduct were enumerated: falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism, while for the authorship and publication, the definition, the responsibilities, and the responsible and irresponsible publication practices were discussed. Before Mr. Abhi started off his lecture, he told the participants that it was his first time to speak before an international audience. It seemed like this was not true because, with his colorful outbursts of enthusiasm, the participants got to learn more than they could have expected.

Moving on in the workshop, the second part was spearheaded by Dr. Tatyana from

Dr. Moreno, Dr. Tatyana, and Ariel 

Bradford University. She tackled the diverse topic of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC), which should be highly considered before doing a research because, with this, one would know the benefits of a research. She also discussed on how to develop active learning resources or tools for dual-use misuse by citing case scenarios for responsible conduct of research. She also shared some online resources of the tools that can be used regarding the matter.

Implementing Exercise Programs for Facilities Working with High Consequence Pathogens

BEP–CRDF Global­ Sponsored Workshop
David Farris and Cara Leitch
May 30, 2016
Sokhalay Angkor Resort & Spa
Siem Reap, Cambodia

A day prior to the 11th A-PBA Conference, a workshop was slated for the participants who were sponsored by the CRDF Global. The workshop was Implementing Exercise Programs for Facilities Working with High Consequence Pathogens that was led by the expertise of the people from George Mason University ­– Mr. David Farris and Cara Leitch.

For workshop classes with groups from various parts of the Asia-Pacific, it was already given that the whole class would be divided by country of origin. The Philippines had eight delegates coming from different institutions that are in the forefront of biosecurity, biosafety, and biorisk management.

HSEEP

The workshop kicked off by explaining to the participants the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), which is used as a guiding principle for exercise programs, because these “are a key component of national preparedness”. Furthermore, it was discussed that exercise program management is the “overseeing and integrating a variety of exercises over time”. Next would be the exercise design and development, which serves to shape the key concepts and planning consideration. Later in the day, the participants of the workshop would be taught about exercise conduct and the importance of exercise evaluation. Group exercises were given after each topic, making sure that the participants understand and correctly apply the different approaches that were taught.

A Sample of Exercise

Before the workshop ended, four persons were made to present (as according to the survey prior to the Conference) their institution’s exercise program. One of the presenters was Dr. Martin Moreno, BRAP President, who discussed a published article entitled The Philippines’ First Biohazard Spill Response Drill at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

The workshop ended by the awarding of certificates to the participants.