title: Implementation of a personnel reliability program as a facilitator of biosafety and biosecurity culture in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories.
abstract: In late 2010, the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) implemented a Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) with the goal of enabling active participation by its staff to drive and improve the biosafety and biosecurity culture at the organization. A philosophical keystone for accomplishment of NBACC's scientific mission is simultaneous excellence in operations and outreach. Its personnel reliability program builds on this approach to: (1) enable and support a culture of responsibility based on human performance principles, (2) maintain compliance with regulations, and (3) address the risk associated with the insider threat. Recently, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) governing use and possession of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) was amended to require a pre-access suitability assessment and ongoing evaluation for staff accessing Tier 1 BSAT. These 2 new requirements are in addition to the already required Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Security Risk Assessment (SRA). Two years prior to the release of these guidelines, NBACC developed its PRP to supplement the SRA requirement as a means to empower personnel and foster an operational environment where any and all work with BSAT is conducted in a safe, secure, and reliable manner.
authors.affiliation: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA. higginsj@nbacc.net
authors.forename: Jacki J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: J Patrick
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R Marene
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pearl
mesh_terms: D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D002568:Certification; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000458:organization & administration; D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016272:Occupational Health; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D024382:Professional Role; D016730:Program Development; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D012637:Security Measures / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances