A Biological Safety Cabinet Certification Program: Experiences in Southeast Asia

Area of Science:

• Laboratory safety and biosciences.
• Biocontainment engineering and technology.

Background:

• Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are critical for protecting lab workers and the environment from infectious agents.
• Proper maintenance and annual certification by qualified technicians are essential for BSCs to function correctly.
• Current BSC servicing is often expensive and lacks international accreditation, leading to potential safety compromises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the shortage of trained personnel for BSC installation, maintenance, and certification in Thailand.
• To develop and implement a practical and cost-effective program for building local and regional BSC servicing capacity.

Main Methods:

• Initiated a training program focused on repair, maintenance, and certification of BSCs.
• Focused on creating sustainable local and regional capacity for BSC servicing.
• Documented and shared experiences from program implementation.

Main Results:

• Established a framework for training and certifying BSC technicians in Thailand.
• Demonstrated a cost-effective approach to improving BSC maintenance and certification.
• Aimed to enhance biosafety standards through skilled personnel.

Conclusions:

• A dedicated training program can effectively address the lack of qualified BSC technicians.
• Developing local capacity for BSC maintenance and certification is crucial for ensuring laboratory safety.
• This initiative provides a model for other regions facing similar challenges in biosafety infrastructure.