Select and implement control measures

Once a risk control strategy is developed, risk control measures must be selected and implemented. When selecting laboratory risk control measures, national regulations and guidelines must always be considered first to ensure compliance.

There is no “zero risk”. Even after a risk control measure is selected for your risk strategy, a certain degree of risk will still remain. If this residual risk is still unacceptable, additional risk control measures should be used in order to bring the risk to an acceptable risk.

Biological agents and procedures that require heightened control measures may vary. For cases require heightened control measures or maximum containment measures, the selected measures should be appropriate to address the specific factor(s) that contributes to the likelihood and/or consequence of an exposure and/or release. It is mainly depending on the biological agents being handled, procedures being performed and potential transmission routes. Sometimes, one should even consider to outsource the work to another facility that has the appropriate risk control measures and resources in place.

To make sure that the risk control measure(s) can be effectively used and sustained by the available laboratory resources, a proper review of cost, available funding, installation, maintenance, and security and safety should be conducted.

When conducting research activity involving biohazard that poses high risk, it is important to make sure that the laboratory personnel are aware of the characteristics of the biohazard, the risk associated with the procedures being performed. They should also be properly trained and understand how the risk control measures used can most effectively reduce those risks.

Risk communication is vital to allow laboratory personnel to make informed choices about how to perform their role in the laboratory and to establish a successful safety culture built around effective risk-reduction strategies. This good practice could help in establishing good reporting mechanisms for any incidents, accidents or inefficiencies of the risk control measures.