Developing a Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory user training program

Abstract

In recent years, numerous emerging and reemerging infectious diseases have occurred worldwide and have seriously threatened our society. As a countermeasure against the pathogens responsible for serious diseases (classified as class 4 pathogens), we are preparing for full operation of the first suit-type biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) facility available for basic and applied research at Nagasaki University. For the safe operation of these facilities, experienced and qualified personnel with appropriate skills and knowledge of biorisk management must be certified. Developing an appropriate training system is a prerequisite for ensuring the safety of users involved in research in a BSL-4 laboratory. Here, we introduce an overview of the content of the training program that we are currently establishing for the BSL-4 facility at Nagasaki University. We are designing this program to follow national and international guidelines and regulations in part by referring to experiences and materials derived from multiple BSL-4 facilities in other countries. The established training program system, including the formulation processes, will serve as a reference and will provide practical materials for other research organizations to develop their own high-containment laboratory training programs.