Biological containment laboratories are necessary for diagnostic and detection work, and are also critical for research and development.

There are many different types of micro-organisms which are handled in these laboratories, and each activity which is performed on the micro-organism might pose a risk. Therefore, the risks should be evaluated, so that measures can be put in place to protect both the workers and the environment from being infected. According to the WHO’s laboratory Biosafety Manual, risk assessments provide the backbone to any laboratory safety program. Some countries also have a legal requirement that the activities carried out in containment laboratories should be covered by a risk assessment. However, risk assessments can prove difficult to complete without the correct knowledge and tools. DNV is currently developing a tool which will help workers carry out their risk assessments more easily and constructively.