2024 ChABSA Pre-Symposium Workshops

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Coincident Influencers Impacting the Practice of Biosafety

Bob Emery, DrPH, CHP, CIH, CSP, CBSP, CHMM, CPP, ARM ,Vice President for Safety, Health, Environment, and Risk Management, University of Texas Health Science Center

Kristin King, Ph.D., CPH, CBSP, CHSP, CIC, Biological Safety Manager, University of Texas Health Science Center

June 3, 8-12

Despite what some may presume, the practice of biosafety does not operate in isolation from other macro-organizational or societal concerns. Multiple external influencing factors impact the ability to successfully execute a biosafety program's objectives. Examples include concerns about workplace mental and behavioral health issues that impact operations, the intersection of biosafety, infection prevention, and public health, insider threat security concerns, and the ability to effectively tell our collective story of the value of prevention. This preconference workshop will focus on a series of influencing factors that biosafety professionals should be attuned to and will provide tangible examples for addressing the challenges presented.

Learning: Beyond Checking the Boxes

Tracey Brown, Training Program Manager, World BioHazTec

June 3, 1pm -5pm

Can you relate to that feeling of zoning out during mandatory training sessions? It's not uncommon for people to go through the motions without truly engaging with the material. However, effective training should go beyond just checking boxes; it should inspire curiosity, facilitate active participation, and ultimately drive meaningful learning outcomes.

This course is a short overview of some tips and tricks for engaging adult learners and focusing on practical outcomes rather than just rote memorization. Technical material doesn’t have to be boring! There will be examples relevant to biosafety and biosecurity training. We will also discuss some updates for accessibility and using AI to make content more engaging.

This will not be a check-the-box event! So be prepared to discuss, interact, and share your own tips and tricks.

Navigating the Code of Federal Regulations and incorporating the FEMA 6-Step Planning Process for Incident Response

Garth C. Phoebus, MS, Emergency Manager, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD

Mary Chizmar, Emergency Manager, DoD BSAT Biorisk Program Office (BBPO), Fort Detrick, MD

June 4, 8am-12pm

Planning for emergencies is challenging. However, when President Obama signed Presidential Policy Directive/PPD-8 in 2011, it established an avenue to accomplish strengthening security and resilience of organizations, be it all levels of government, non-governmental agencies, universities, and private sector to integrate the whole of community and capabilities-based approach to preparedness. Planning should include 7 CFR Part 331, 9 CFR Part 121, 29 CFR 1910.1450, and 42 CFR Part 73 to be compliant with Federal Select Agent Program and OSHA guidelines for building and incident response planning. It should all integrate with biosafety and biosecurity as well as local emergency management agencies, first responders, and first receivers. Participants will gain actionable insights into incident response planning by navigating the FEMA 6-Step Planning Process and the intricacies of the CFRs. This hands-on approach ensures not only compliance but also a tangible skill set for effective readiness and response coordination.

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