Biosafety and Biosecurity

Biosafety and biosecurity programs are essential in laboratories to protect workers, the public, and the environment by reducing the risk of exposures, laboratory-acquired infections, and accidental or intentional release of biological agents. Consistent risk assessments, standardized training, clear reporting mechanisms, and data-driven standards are critical to addressing gaps in current practices and ensuring a strong, sustainable culture of safety across all US laboratories.

APHL aims to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity programs through initiatives that enhance biosafety and biosecurity practices within public health and clinical laboratories.

• Serving as subject matter expert to assist public health laboratories with strengthening biosafety and biosecurity capacity. This encompasses developing and providing guidance and tools including biosafety training to public health laboratories, and maintaining a community of practice for public health biosafety professionals. 
• Improving laboratory coordination and outreach to ensure a more robust public health system capable of safely responding to all threats. This encompasses providing tools to assist public health laboratories with outreach to clinical laboratories and direct engagement of key clinical partners. 
• Promoting policies to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity. This encompasses educating key policy makers and implementing the position statement, Improving Biosafety in Our Nation’s Laboratories.
• Maintaining the APHL Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee with representatives from public health laboratories, private clinical laboratories and partner organizations, and other biosafety experts.

APHL and CDC have developed a process to provide guidance and support towards implementation and use of a biorisk management (BRM) system in accordance with ISO 35001 across public health laboratories. The project helps participating institutions turn the principles of the standard into practice. Participating laboratories receive customized guidance, peer support and resources/tools that guide laboratories toward ISO 35001 implementation.

The BioSafe 360 Program is a remote-based program designed to engage safety officers and assist with the implementation of elite biosafety strategies and programs. Our process increases the blending of science and safety moving from doing safety for and to scientists to doing safety with and by scientists. The program is designed for biosafety professionals who are looking to develop their cognitive and applied biosafety skills and are planning on leading the profession.

The Biosafety Peer Network Program aims to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity by connecting state, local, and territorial public health laboratories and laboratories in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands to facilitate mentoring and information sharing among biosafety professionals. The exchange is expected to advance and harmonize biosafety and biosecurity in laboratories, while fostering a collaborative community—and ultimately improving public health biosafety and biosecurity nationwide.