BMS533

Biorisk Management

GROUP : AS244 TEAM :

Practical 3 : Risk Assessment

LEADER :
Members :
:
:

Date :

Report writing :

This section was written by and reviewed by

Introduction :

Methods :

Results :

Discussion :
BMS533 PRAC#3 : Risk Assessment

Objective

To asssess the rise posed by a biological hazard in a laboratory.

Outcomes

I. Know - risk = likelihood x consequence

II. Know - assess the level of risk posed by a certain hazard
III. Do - perform a risk assessment on biosafety issues
IV. Feel - confident in assessing risk

Introduction
In this week , we will use the information derived in the previous two sessions to conduct a
risk assessment(RA). Keep in mind the basics : RA is based on science, case specific, and
should take into account the immediate environmental factors.

Instructions
1. Base on the hazards you characterise in the last practical, choose one that poses a
high level of biorisk.
2. Using the rubric below and the matrices given in the next page, identify how harm
can occur due to this hazard, and assess the risk of each of these.
3. Report out to the class and discuss.
1 Hazard What can happen? How can it happen?
(Identify the Hazard) (Define the Risk as clearly as possible. This will
help greatly when you do Risk Mitigation in the
next step)

What is the likelihood of it Why do you think so?

happening?
(You need to justify your evaluation based on
(Estimate the Likelihood) scientific facts)

If it DOES happen, how severe are Why do you think so?

the consequences?
(Quiz : what if there is no information for L or C?)
(Estimate the Consequence)

What is the level of risk? Is risk mitigation/ management required?

(Risk = Likelihood x Consequence)

Use the template and matrices provided below.

Risk Assessment Worksheet R = f(L,C) L = likelihood; C = consequence; R = Risk Level

Risk L Why C Why R

1 Infection of lab users by 4 M.tuberculosis is known to be highly 3 TB is a chronic and severe disease. However, High
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infectious via inhalation of aerosols. There effective treatment is available.
through inhalation of are many reproted cases of LAIs.
aerosols
Plot the risks on the quadrant graph below, using clear markers. Add the legend.

Likelihood

High

Moderate

Low

Negligible

1 2 3 4 Consequence

Legend :

Likeli Conse
Risk
hood quence
Risk of infection through aerosol 4 3

Risk of .......
MATRICES
Likelihood
4 Highly likely
3 Likely
2 Unlikely
1 Highly unlikely
Consequences
4 Major
3 Intermediate
2 Minor
1 Marginal
LIKELIHOOD
4 Highly likely
3 Likely
2 Unlikely
1 Highly unlikely
Risk estimate
4 High
3 Moderate
2 Low
1 Negligible
Likelihood assessment definitions
Is expected to occur in most circumstances
Could occur in many circumstances
Could occur in some circumstances
May occur only in very rare circumstances
Consequence assessment definitions
Adverse health effects that are severe, widespread and irreversible.
Extensive damage to the environment or extensive biological and physical disruption of
whole ecosystems, communities or an entire species that persists over time or is not
readily reversible.
Adverse health effects that are irreversible.
Damage to the environment or disruption to biological communities that is widespread
but reversible or of limited severity.
Adverse health effects that are reversible.
Damage to the environment or disruption to biological communities that is reversible
and limited in time and space or numbers affected.
Minimal adverse health effects.
Minimal or no damage to the environment or disruption to biological communities.
RISK ESTIMATE
Low Moderate High High
Low Low Moderate High
Negligible Low Moderate Moderate
Negligible Negligible Low Low
Marginal Minor Intermediate Major
1 2 3 4
CONSEQUENCE
Risk estimate definitions
Risk is unacceptable unless actions for mitigation are highly feasible and
effective.
Risk is of marked concern that will necessitate actions for mitigation that need
to be demonstrated as effective.
Risk is minimal, but may invoke actions for mitigation beyond normal
practices.
Risk is insubstantial and there is no present need to invoke actions for
mitigation.
 Lab Report Rubric PRAC # 3 (include this with every report)

Exceeds To
Attribute Meet Expectations Below Expectations Marks
Expectations tal

Marks 5 3 --> 4 0 --> 2

1. Punctuality Submitted early Submitted on time Submitted late
Was the report submitted on time? 5

2. Organization of report Good, clear format Loose format Not organized

Is the prescribed format used? 5

4. Introduction Good, concise OK. Materials included Inadequate

Did the students provide summary of but not summarised or summary /duplicated 5
background materials? background too long. from sources.
5. Risk 1 Well defined. Acceptable, student is Not well define.
Specific? Well defined? a bit unsure Student is unsure. 5

. Risk 1 Yes. Qualified by OK. Agreed. But weak No. Evaluation not
Is the likelihood well evaluated? good comments comments well supported 5

. Risk 1 Yes. Qualified by OK. Agreed. But weak No. Evaluation not
Is the consequence well good comments comments well supported
5
evaluated?

5. Risk 2 Well defined. Acceptable, student is Not well define.

Specific? Well defined? a bit unsure Student is unsure. 5

. Risk 2 Yes. Qualified by OK. Agreed. But weak No. Evaluation not
Is the likelihood well evaluated? good comments comments well supported 5

. Risk 2 Yes. Qualified by OK. Agreed. But weak No. Evaluation not
Is the consequence well good comments comments well supported
5
evaluated?

5. Risk 3 Well defined. Acceptable, student is Not well define.

Specific? Well defined? a bit unsure Student is unsure. 5

. Risk 3 Yes. Qualified by OK. Agreed. But weak No. Evaluation not
Is the likelihood well evaluated? good comments comments well supported 5

. Risk 3 Yes. Qualified by OK. Agreed. But weak No. Evaluation not
Is the consequence well good comments comments well supported
5
evaluated?

6. Results
Figure Well formatted, clear Proper format Not formatted
5
a. Is Figure in proper format?

7. Discussion Results were well Some attempts. mainly No attempt to

Is a discussion inlcuded? discussed. descriptive. discuss. 5

8. Conclusion Correct conclusion, Conclusion is provided, No conclusion/

Was a conclusion provided? related to the but not directly related conclusion not related 5
objective to the objective to objective(s)
10. References Used proper software Manually with mistakes No or inadequate
Is the report correctly cited? citation 5

SUM 80

Evaluated by :_________________________________________ Date : ________________________

Report Format for Prac#3

Title : < put title here >

Introduction

< what are lab hazards, why you want to identify them etc.
Short and concise, two paragraphs will do >

Objective
< state the objective of this practical , ONE sentence, start with "To...... " >

Materials and methods

< List the materials used in this experiment >

< Describe step-by -step the experimental process.
This should be in the past tense as the experiment has already been conducted.
Write in paragraph form >
{ Example : A risk assessment was carried out by.............................
}

Results

Table 3.1 List of .........

< Describe what are the major risks, how many risk identified and their risk level etc etc>

Figure 3.1 Quadrant Chart of biorisks.......

Discussion

< Discuss your results - is there any risk that will require mitigation?
Pick one of the high risk items and describe briefly what can be done to minimise the risk. It's OK if
you are not entirely sure. Make some suggestions >

Conclusion

< And a one sentence conclusion. >

References

< two or three reference, probably formatted using a bibliography software >