RESULTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT THE CIVIL DEFENSE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CENTER

Abstract

Laboratories are exposed to a wide variety of biological risks that could lead to a health disaster if biosafety and biosecurity measures are not adopted to prevent or mitigate them. The Civil Defense Scientific Research Center (CICDC) has a Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL3) Microbiology Laboratory, which allows the country to maintain surveillance for diseases that can cause serious epidemics of natural or introduced origin. The implementation of a Biological Risk Management System (BRMS) at the CICDC has made it possible to identify, evaluate, and control the risks inherent to its activities. The objective of this paper was to present the results of the evaluation of the BMS implemented at the CICDC. A checklist was designed to verify compliance with NC-ISO 35001:2021 requirements and the procedures approved at the center. A descriptive study was conducted based on data derived from interviews, observations, and brainstorming. The results were evaluated using the proportion method, expressed in percentages, which were interrelated with qualitative characteristics and improvement actions. As a final result in 2023, the system was classified as satisfactory (95%) based on staff training, the existence of the management committee, monitoring of nonconformities, implementation of corrective measures, waste management, and risk analysis. The results demonstrated an implemented BMS that guaranteed the safety of exposed personnel, the community, and the environment