Information on this web page applies to VUMC researchers. VU researchers should refer to VU Biosafety.
Training needs will vary based upon what a person works with in the lab.
| Training Title | Frequency | Lab workers who |
| Biosafety 101 | Once* | perform research with biological materials |
| Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) | Once* | work with a BSC |
| Biosafety 201 | Once* | work in a BSL2 lab |
| Bloodborne Pathogens Safety for Research Labs | Annually (per OSHA) | work in a lab where bloodborne pathogens or human-derived materials are present |
| ABSL-2 Training | Once* | work at ABSL-2 in ACUP facilities |
| Clinical Research Human Patient Samples Shipping Training - USDOT and IATA | every 2 years | ship human patient samples |
| Dry Ice Shipping - USDOT and IATA Training | every 2 years | ship with dry ice |
| Regulated Medical Waste Shipping Training for VUMC Lab Researchers - USDOT Training | every 3 years | ship regulated medical waste |
*Note: For training that is only required once, Biosafety OCRS recommends that you review the training once every 5 years to stay up-to-date regarding any new information.
Lab-specific biosafety training is needed for all lab members. A spreadsheet can be used to document all lab training completed for each lab member. This New Lab Member and Temporary Lab Member checklist can be used to document some of the lab-specific training.
Questions about biosafety training?
If you have specific questions regarding biosafety training needs, please send an email to biosafety@vumc.org. An OCRS Biosafety Team member will respond within 3 business days.
Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices (latest version, revised 3-2023)
Target Audience: All research personnel, including Principal Investigators (PIs), are required to complete this course if the research involves biological materials. This applies to all Principal Investigators, even if they are not personally working at the bench.
Class Description: Basic description of biological hazards and regulated biological materials; overview of biosafety levels, and standard microbiological practices including:
- biohazardous waste segregation, handling and disposal,
- hygiene practices to enhance lab safety and minimize potential cross-contamination,
- spill and exposure prevention practices.
Class Schedule/Location: Available online. To enroll, log into the Learning Exchange and search for the course title. When you have completed the lesson, keep a copy of your training certificate or confirmation email for your own records. Then, forward a copy to your PI or supervisor for their records.
Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) Research Lab Safety Training
NOTE: Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices is recommended prior to signing up for this course.
Target Audience: All research personnel who will be working with a biosafety cabinet.
Class Description: Introduces the different types of BSC with a focus on class II cabinets. Describes how to use a BSC for containment of hazardous biological materials, including how to maintain good air flow, and how to decontaminate before and after use. This is a prerequisite for the Biosafety 201 training course.
Location: Online. To enroll, log in to the Learning Exchange and search for the course title. When you have completed the lesson, keep a copy of your training certificate or confirmation email for your own records.
Bloodborne Pathogens Safety for Research Labs
(formerly Working Safely with Human-Derived Materials in the Lab)
Required by: Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, OSHA 1910.1030
Frequency: Initial with annual retraining
Target Audience: Any staff/faculty exposed to human blood, body fluids, tissues or cells, or exposure to one of these viruses: HIV, HBV or HCV in a laboratory setting.
Class Schedule/Location: Available online in the Learning Exchange. This is a prerequisite for the Biosafety 201 training course.
- VUMC staff receive this training online in the Learning Exchange. It is available as a self-assigned course. It is also assigned by administrators to certain groups, such as those working in medical research laboratories.
- VUMC School of Medicine faculty receive this training based on responses to the VUMC SOM Faculty Compliance Training Profile.
Biosafety 201: Biosafety Principles & Bloodborne Pathogens Control Topics (formerly Principles & Practices of Biosafety)
course schedule
NOTE: VUMC personnel must complete prerequisites Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices, Bloodborne Pathogens Safety for Research Labs, and Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) Research Lab Safety Training. Individuals who completed Biosafety 201 prior to 2016 are required to complete it again.
This course is an instructor-led virtual training course offered via Microsoft Teams. In addition, there is a required reading assignment which registrants must review in advance and have on hand during the presentation. Pre-registration is required and will be closed three business days before the scheduled course date.
Pre-register for this course:
- You must first complete the following prerequisites for this course:
- Then, log in to the Learning Exchange and search for "Biosafety 201" to register.
- You will receive a link to the Microsoft Teams meeting invitation from your instructor two days prior to the scheduled event, along with a reading assignment.
- If you need to reschedule for the date you selected, contact biosafety@vumc.org.
- If you experience problems when you try to register, send an email to learningexchange@vumc.org.
Target Audience: Investigators and research staff members who handle biological materials that require BSL-2 containment. Such materials include:
- Agents infectious to humans, animals or plants
- Toxins of a biological origin
- Human or non-human primate derived materials including blood, body fluids, unfixed tissues and cells (including immortalized cell lines)
Class Description: This course builds on the information covered in the Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices course. This course includes and emphasizes the following topics:
- routes of exposure and lab-acquired infections
- personal protective equipment selection and use
- sharps selection, handling and disposal considerations
- special equipment hazards
- exposure and spill response actions
Class Length: 2 hours (including bloodborne pathogens exposure control review)
Class Schedule/Location: See Course Schedule.
ACUP Facility Orientation Biosafety ABSL-2 Rooms (ABSL-2 Training Curriculum)
Target Audience:
Investigators and research staff members who will be carrying out animal studies that require animal biosafety level 2 (ABSL-2) containment. (These studies typically involve the administration of an agent infectious to humans in an animal model.)
Class Description: This training course provides an overview of animal biosafety levels and general containment practices applicable to the lab animal research setting. The training focus is adhering to ABSL-2 principles while conducting common procedures including challenge, sample collection, cage change and terminal procedures. This class is only open to personnel who have been added to an ABSL-2 IACUC protocol and completed the pre-requisite Biosafety 201 training.
Class Length: 1.5 hours
Class Schedule/Location: Online course followed by a separate facility tour. (Note: Facility tours are scheduled by Division of Animal Care personnel, after the online course has been completed.)
To request this training, your PI or Designated Oversight Person (DOP) must complete this REDCap form. The form asks for the following:
- applicable IACUC animal protocol number,
- the trainee's name,
- date the trainee was added to the IACUC protocol (provide a screenshot of the personnel amendment), and
- proof that Biosafety 201 has been completed.
Basic Researchers Shipping Biological Substances
Basic researchers who need to ship biological materials but are not currently certified to ship these in accordance with hazardous materials/dangerous goods regulations should contact biosafety@vumc.org for assistance.
Clinical Research Human Patient Samples (with Dry Ice) Shipping Training - USDOT and IATA
Clinical researchers who need to ship human patient samples and Dry Ice as part of clinical research activities can access an online training course in the VUMC Learning Exchange. This course will only provide training for individuals who need to ship samples as UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B.
Target Audience: This training is for VUMC employees whose job requires them to ship human clinical specimens for IRB research protocols.
Required by: U.S. Department of Transportation 49 CFR 172.700 - 172.704, and International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations
Frequency: Initial with refresher at least every two years; Refresher training is required more frequently when there are significant regulatory changes.
Class Schedule/Location: Online. To enroll, log in the VUMC Learning Exchange, and search for "Clinical Research Human Patient Samples Shipping Training".
Dry Ice Shipping Training - USDOT and IATA
Target Audience: This training is for VUMC employees whose job requires them to ship packages containing dry ice and no other hazardous material.
Required by: U.S. Department of Transportation 49 CFR 172.700 - 172.704, and International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations
Frequency: Initial with refresher at least every two years.
Class Schedule/Location: Online. To enroll, log in the VUMC Learning Exchange, and search for "Dry Ice Shipping".
Regulated Medical Waste Shipping Training for VUMC Researchers in VU Buildings - USDOT Training
Required for: VUMC employees working in VU research buildings.
Required by: U.S. Department of Transportation 49 CFR 172.700 - 172.704
Frequency: Initial with refresher at least every three years; Refresher training is required more frequently when there are significant regulatory changes.