As the number of biological labs increases, so too do the safety risks for lab workers. Data on these risks-collected through a safety reporting system (SRS) from reports of hazards, incidents, and accidents-can support safety efforts. However, no such system exists for all biological labs, and a limited system-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-applies to only a subset of these labs. While a national SRS has been proposed, design and implementation are complex. In this context, GAO was asked to identify lessons from (1) the literature and (2) case studies; and to apply those lessons to (3) assess CDC and APHIS's theft, loss, or release (TLR) system for select agents, such as anthrax, and (4) suggest design and implementation considerations for a labwide SRS. To do its work, GAO analyzed SRS literature; conducted case studies of SRSs in aviation, commercial nuclear, and health care industries; and interviewed agency officials and biosafety specialists.

"As the number of biological labs increases, so too do the safety risks for lab workers. Data on these risks-collected through a safety reporting system (SRS) from reports of hazards, incidents, and accidents-can support safety efforts. However, no such system exists for all biological labs, and a limited system-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-applies to only a subset of these labs. While a national SRS has been proposed, design and implementation are complex. In this context, GAO was asked to identify lessons from (1) the literature and (2) case studies; and to apply those lessons to (3) assess CDC and APHIS's theft, loss, or release (TLR) system for select agents, such as anthrax, and (4) suggest design and implementation considerations for a labwide SRS. To do its work, GAO analyzed SRS literature; conducted case studies of SRSs in aviation, commercial nuclear, and health care industries; and interviewed agency officials and biosafety specialists. "

Biological Laboratories: Design and Implementation Considerations for Safety Reporting Systems

Although transit service is generally safe, recent high-profile accidents on several large rail transit systems notably the June 2009 collision in Washington, D.C., that resulted in nine fatalities and 52 injuries have raised concerns. The Fed. Transit Admin. (FTA) oversees state agencies that directly oversee rail transit agencies' safety practices. FTA also provides assistance to transit agencies, such as funding and training, to enhance safety. This report determined: (1) the challenges the largest rail transit systems face in ensuring safety; and (2) the extent to which assistance provided by FTA addresses these challenges. The author visited eight large rail transit systems and their respective state oversight agencies. Illus. This is a print on demand report.

Biosafety in the Laboratory is a concise set of practical guidelines for handling and disposing of biohazardous material. The consensus of top experts in laboratory safety, this volume provides the information needed for immediate improvement of safety practices. It discusses high- and low-risk biological agents (including the highest-risk materials handled in labs today), presents the "seven basic rules of biosafety," addresses special issues such as the shipping of dangerous materials, covers waste disposal in detail, offers a checklist for administering laboratory safetyâ€"and more.