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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the laboratory biosafety status of Public Health Centers (PHCs) in Korea during Oct.7∼26, 2012. We surveyed the environment of biosafety management, especially for the recognition level for biosafety of workers in the organizations. The questionnaires given out to 98 workers who are working for PHCs are to research the recognition level of workers for the knowledge of biosafety, related laws and regulations. The level was the highest in the Research Institute of the Public Health & Environment (RIPHE) followed by quarantine station, and the health center was assessed as the last. It was turned out that the biosafety educational program in the RIPHE was implemented on a regular basis (65.2%) with irregular cases (21.7%), and some outsourcing chances (8.7%). However, quarantine stations and health centers didn't practice actively biosafety training programs compared to RIPHE. In addition, there was a majority of opinions that the most important thing to improve biosafety level of PHCs is to strengthen current poor training and education system. In conclusion, it is necessary to develop more improved training system for biosafety on exposure risks including injuries, personal protective equipment, and chemical hazards.
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Figure 1.
The routine inspection and disinfection check of the Laboratory equipment (N=98, %). The survey result on the routine inspection and disinfection check of the laboratory equipment. This research builds on previous study.
Figure 2.
Holding the Personal protective Equipment, 2005 (N=98, %) (10). Filed bars represent the rate of holding the personal protective equipment in 2005, respectively.
Figure 3.
The rate of use of Personal protective Equipment, 2012 (N=98, %). Filed bars represent the rate of use of personal protective equipment in 2012, respectively.
Figure 4.
Requirements for strengthen the laboratory biosafety level (N=98, %). The survey result showed that requirements for strengthen the laboratory biosafety
Table 1.
Biosafety level, BL (28)
| Risk level | Biosafety level | Laboratory practices | Safety equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BL1 | Basic laboratory | Open bench |
| 2 | BL2 | BL1 + Protective clothing, Biohazard Sign | Open bench + BSCa |
| 3 | BL3 | BL2 + Special clothing, Controlled access, Directional airflow | BSC + and/or other primary devices for all actives |
| 4 | BL4 | BL3 + Air lock, Shower exit, Special Waste disposal | Class III BSC, positive pressure suits, double-ended autoclave, filtered air |
Table 2.
The biosafety items used for estimating biosafety awareness
| Categories | Items |
|---|---|
| Required Biosafety level |
Risk group of pathogen (Bacteria, Virus, clinical specimen, etc) Biosafety level: BL1, 2, 3 |
| Infectious agents | Culture, Diagnostics, Storage, Transportation. |
| Biosafety management of laboratory |
Biosafety committee, Biosafety officer Risk assessment |
| Biosafety basic rules |
Responsibility for laboratory biosafety Biosafety, Biosecurity, Facility, Equipment, PPEa, Risk, HDPsb |
| Equipment for biosafety |
Required equipment for biosafety Appropriately used equipment |
| Personal protective equipment |
PPE-Research Requirements Sufficient supplies of PPE Availability and condition of lab equipment |
| Biosafety training |
Related laws and regulations BL3 facility (Design/Management/Equipment/PPE/HDPs) |
| Improving laboratory biosafety | Facility, Equipment, Biosafety management system, Provision of Safety Training |
Table 3.
The general characteristics of the survey respondents
Table 4.
Biosafety Management of public healthcare centers [Total n=98, n (%)]
Table 5.
An awareness and compliance of biosafety in Laboratories (N=98, %)
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