Laboratory Security

Course Description:

Security is an important issue for laboratories because they often have hazardous materials, valuable equipment, and confidential information that could be appropriated by individuals with criminal and violent intentions.

This training course is for laboratory workers to help them identify the ways to keep the laboratory secure to protect themselves, their co-workers, and the public from harm such as theft, willful damage, or violence. This course applies to laboratories with a security plan in place.

The following employees must be provided with site specific security information to supplement this training:
• Laboratory employees who work with select agents or toxins regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as listed under 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 73.3 and 73.4. The additional training requirements are specified in 42 CFR 73.15.
• Laboratory employees working at a facility that possesses or uses Category 1 or Category 2 quantities of radioactive material regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and have duties that require unescorted access to those radioactive materials or devices/materials containing them or are part of the group implementing the security program. The additional training requirements are specified in 10 CFR 37.

Why “Laboratory Security” Matters:

At the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
• Identify security risks
• Recall the elements of the facility’s security plan
• Take proper precautions to prevent security breaches into the facility
• Respond appropriately to threats of violence and violent incidents
• Ensure adequate cyber security
• Report security problems and incidents promptly

Key Points:

The main points from this session on laboratory security include:

• The consequences of security breaches in the laboratory could be very serious.
• We must protect personnel, materials, equipment, and information.
• You play an important role in keeping laboratory areas secure.
• Promptly report any suspicious activity or individuals, missing inventory, or other security problems.