Our CPD courses:
We have a range of self-certified training courses that are available that are suitable for professional development. Clients also have the option for us to bring the training to you, so the courses can be undertaken in your own workplace. Contact us to discuss your options.
Why study with us?
- Engaging in CPD activities ensures that practical qualifications do not become outdated and allows for individuals to continually up skill.
- We have state of the art facilities and provide training in a pleasant environment.
- We are flexible and can tailor our training to meet your needs.
- Ordinarily courses will take place at our facilities on the Aberystwyth University campus and access to parking and Wi-Fi will be made available to delegates. Alternatively, we can provide in-house training by our specialist team in your place of work.
Who provides the training?
Dr Chris Pirson has more than 20 years of experience of scientific research and specialist health and safety across numerous sectors. After his undergraduate studies he worked on tuberculosis infection in cattle at the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Chris subsequently completed his MSc and spent time working for the Home Office, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and Public Health England on CBR response and detection. Chris completed his doctorate studying the role of mycobacterial lipids in the interaction between the host immune system and the pathogen. In the private sector, Chris worked as a researcher working on novel immunotherapeutic drugs with applications in oncology, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. During this time Chris oversaw the building and development of new high containment facilities for handling dangerous pathogens and transitioned into leading biological safety for the company. Chris is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science, a Member of the Institute of Safety in Technology and Research, an accredited Biosafety Practitioner, and a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor.
Biological hazards pose a risk not only to staff who handle them, but others within the workplace, friends and family, and to the wider population. This course is an introduction to the principles of safe handling of biological hazards, with a focus on the use of containment facilities and equipment.
Content
This course gives delegates some knowledge of the requirements to contain biological hazards. This is broken down into sections covering the why, what, and where of containment, as well as some specific examples of how containment works.
Aims/Objectives
By the end of this course learners will:
- Understand the legislative requirements when handling biohazardous materials
- Recognise the consequences of not containing biologically hazardous materials
- Have experience of classifying unknown infectious agents
- Have a clear grasp on the concept of control at source
- Gained knowledge on key methods to support primary containment
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for people who work, oversee, or manage work with biologically hazardous materials at Containment Level 2 or above. Biologically hazardous materials could be microorganisms, human or animal blood and blood-derived products, mammalian cell cultures, and other potentially infectious biological materials.
Duration/Additional Info
The course is scheduled for 1 working day,
Refreshments will be made available during the breaks and lunch will be provided
Supplementary Information
Health and Safety Executive – Biosafety and microbiological containment
Health and Safety Executive – Infections at work
Health and Safety Executive – COSHH Approved Code of Practice
Health and Safety Executive - Management and operation of microbiological containment laboratories
Introduction
Biological hazards pose a risk not only to staff who handle them, but others within the workplace, friends and family, and to the wider population. This course is an introduction to the principles of safe handling of biological hazards.
Content
This course gives delegates some knowledge of the requirements to contain biological hazards. This is broken down into sections covering the why, what, and where of containment, as well as some specific examples of how containment works.
Aims/Objectives
By the end of this course learners will:
- Understand the legislative requirements when handling biohazardous materials
- Recognise the consequences of not containing biologically hazardous materials
- Have experience of classifying unknown infectious agents
- Have a clear grasp on the concept of control at source
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for people who work with biologically hazardous materials at Containment Level 2 or above. Biologically hazardous materials could be microorganisms, human or animal blood and blood-derived products, mammalian cell cultures, and other potentially infectious biological materials.
Duration/Additional Info
The course is scheduled for 3½ hours.
Refreshments will be made available during the breaks.
Supplementary Information
Health and Safety Executive – Biosafety and microbiological containment
Health and Safety Executive – Infections at work
Health and Safety Executive – COSHH Approved Code of Practice
Health and Safety Executive - Management and operation of microbiological containment laboratories
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can pose a risk not only to staff who handle them, but others within the workplace, to the wider population, and to the environment. This course is an introduction to safe and compliant work with GMOs.
Content
This course introduces delegates to the regulatory requirements of the Contained Use Regulations. This is broken down into sections covering how to perform thorough GM risk assessments and work safely with GMOs. The course also covers some specific examples of how containment controls apply to working with GMOs.
Aims/Objectives
By the end of this course learners will:
- Understand the legislative requirements for undertaking genetically modified organisms
- Understand the role of a GM Safety Committee
- Be able to define what is, and what is not genetic modification
- Understand the principles of containment and how they apply to contained uses
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for people who work with genetically modified organisms. It is also suitable for those with responsibility for assessing the risks associated with such work, and those who are required to appraise those risk assessments.
Duration/Additional Info
The course is scheduled for 3½ hours.
Refreshments will be made available during the breaks.
Supplementary Information
Health and Safety Executive – Guidance on the CGMO(CU) Regulations
Health and Safety Executive – SACGM Guidance
Health and Safety Executive – Biosafety and microbiological containment