BioSAFE Engineering

BioSAFE CEO to Speak Alongside World Leaders at International Summit

web — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:05:23 +0000

NEW YORK, NY – BioSAFE is honored to announce that its Chief Executive Officer Phillip Mervis will speak alongside national and world leaders at the upcoming 11^th Annual C3 US-Arab Healthcare and Business Summit. The summit is to occur on Sept. 19 at the Union League club in New York, NY.

Mervis is to appear on a panel of five, which includes Ambassador Dr. Deborah Birx and other prominent health leaders from the United States and Saudi Arabia. The panel will discuss the future of healthcare in a post-COVID Middle East. Topics of interest include health and environmental standards, public health risk containment, and management of biological waste in times of crisis.

The same morning, Mervis will also moderate a discussion on how hospitals, clinics, and laboratories can reduce their healthcare waste recycling costs.

The C3 Summit brings together business leaders, government officials and healthcare luminaries from both the United States and the Middle East to encourage American investment in health and industry in Arab countries. Summit leaders hope to build positive partnerships between the USA and these various countries to yield economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian hope for the future. This is especially important to our freshly post-COVID-19 world.

Birx is the former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, leading public health efforts in 2020 and 2021 under President Donald Trump. Prior to that she was the US Global AIDS coordinator and worked for three decades in the areas of global health, vaccine research, and immunology for HIV and AIDS.

Mervis is the Chairman and CEO of BioSafe Engineering and a leader in the field of the treatment and disposal of biological waste. He also has experience as COO of a recycling company that processed over 1 billion pounds per year of metals, plastics, paper, and electronics. He has used this background to help BioSAFE begin recycling medical and laboratory plastics in addition to its specialized focus.

BioSAFE Engineering is the global leader in the design, manufacture, installation, and service of waste treatment equipment used in research facilities, healthcare, industry, and science to eliminate the threat of hazardous or infectious agents. Its team of visionary engineers specializes in using advanced scientific applications to create unique non-incineration methods that treat and dispose of biological and medical waste in both liquid and solid forms. They seek always to remain environmentally responsible.

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Task Training in the COVID Era

web — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 08:29:00 +0000

Traditionally training employees in the proper performance of the tasks was done in multiple ways, including using written material, demonstration and return, spoken direction, classroom training and one-on-one teaching. Each training style has advantages and disadvantages but knowing multiple ways to address the same material allows companies and their trainers to best meet the needs of the individual learning styles of the employee for the best possible outcome.

The effect of COVID on the workplace, however, has limited many of these approaches as masking and social distancing have negatively affected how well teachers can communicate information, and how well students can understand it. In addition, COVID has limited the ability of trainers to travel to remote locations to provide education in new tasks and with new equipment even as work force sizes are reduced, and workers are being asked to take on new and additional jobs.

Video training has provided an excellent medium for companies to train their employees in these new tasks, as well as allowing companies to offer refresher training on an as-needed basis without the cost of bringing in outside trainers or, in the case of prerecorded or online training libraries, without forcing employees in need of refresh training to wait until the next time a trainer will be available (or for the budget to allow for in-person training.)

Video training can be presented in several formats. Trainers can provide task training through scheduled webinars, or live Zoom/MS Teams meetings, or workers can access training through pre-recorded training videos. Live seminars offer the advantages of allowing workers to ask questions and get immediate responses, but care needs to be taken that the task can be readily seen by the audience, and that directions are clearly communicated and understood. If needed, one-on-one training can include a return demonstration provided by the worker if a camera/microphone is available.

Because pre-recorded videos can be recorded, edited, and re-recorded (if needed) to ensure that all directions are clearly communicated, as well as being able to be replayed on demand, they can provide better training to workers – but do not have the option of live interaction between trainer and worker. This can be addressed by anticipating most questions that a worker might ask and providing answers either in the body of the training presentation, or by adding graphics, FAQ pages, or the email address of the trainer.

While pre-recorded videos can be professionally recorded, edited, and produced, modern consumer video and audio recording equipment is of excellent quality (professional movies are being made on phone cameras these days) and can be purchased or rented at a minimal expense, and video editing software is readily available at varying price points. There is a steep learning curve for editing videos, however, and most of the software on the market is not ‘intuitive’.

Regardless of whether you want to host live or create pre-recorded training videos, a good video for training a task will include:

Good illumination / clear visibility
Clear task demonstration
Clear audio
Subtitles
Graphics to provide further detail
Trainee access

Whether being presented live or being pre-recorded, good illumination and clear visibility are essential so that all details of the task can clearly be seen. The camera should be positioned so that the demonstrator does not obscure the view, and so that no shadows are cast over the viewing area. Any equipment, parts, tools and supplies should be clean and clearly labeled; call-outs or enlarged freeze frames/ screenshots of small parts can be interspersed in the videos to make it easier for workers to identify specifically what is being used.

Each step of the task should be performed slowly so that it can be clearly seen by the viewers. For pre-recorded videos, the camera can record each step from multiple angles and the final video edited to better demonstrate the task. (Care should be taken not to use multiple angles for each step, but rather only used to enhance visualizing the task.)

While many people are visual learners, providing a clear audio track is essential for those who learn best from the audio component of a lesson. In a live training video, one of two options can be used. The individual performing the task can speak as they work, or one person can demonstrate the task while the second person provides the audio. In this case, the two should practice together so that the work is not done more quickly than the audio provided, and that the audio properly describes the work being done. As with the video, the microphone needs to be properly positioned to optimize the recording.

This is somewhat easier when the video is pre-recorded; often the individual performing the task will provide a running commentary of what is being done – however, ambient noise, poor microphone positioning, or movement on the part of the presenter may prevent the audio from capturing the description accurately. In this case, the use of a voice-over track (either by the same person or another speaker) can be used instead of the original audio track. This is also helpful when the presenter mis-speaks or makes an error.

When possible, adding a subtitle track to the video can allow workers who learn best by reading to get an enhanced learning experience. In addition, a slide can be placed at relevant points that detail the directions of each section. Alternatively, for live training, a transcription of the webinar can be made available to workers.

If you decide to do your own video production, title slides can help break a long video into a more usable format – but avoid overusing features like special effects and transitions as they can be distracting. The judicious use of effects like markers, arrows, and other indicators, however, can draw the workers’ attention to specific areas on the video.

Before hosting a live video training class or before releasing the recording, have someone who was not involved in the production review the materials, and, if possible, have them perform the task based on the class material. If they cannot do so, review your training and make any adjustments necessary. For live training, each additional training session will be easier, and changes can be made easily – but making errors, speeding through course material, and making assumptions also becomes easier. Continuing care must be taken to ensure each class delivers the necessary information.

For pre-recorded video, a consistent training class will be available each time a user needs it – but adding information or changing a procedure is more difficult. If you have your video produced by an outside vendor, this can also be expensive. If you are creating and editing your own video, you can simplify the task creating video segments that can be removed and new segments added as needed.

Last, but certainly not least, is the availability of the training for the workers. Your training might involve equipment or information that is proprietary and intended only for current users of your equipment, or who hold an active license. Restricting training to only those who should have access can be challenging.

You can limit attendance to live training easily enough, but webinars and pre-recorded training are more problematic. Webinars can be limited by inviting only those who should have access, but the possibility exists that someone else could be watching over their shoulder. Fortunately, the likelihood of this is minimal. However, most presentations are followed up by a copy of the webinar being forwarded to those in attendance, and a company might choose to retain this for future reference.

To limit access to pre-recorded videos, rather than sharing copies directly with your customers, you can place them on YOUR company intranet. Access to the intranet can be restricted to only those customers with an active agreement with your company, such as a current license or maintenance agreement. If this is a potential concern, you may want to invest in video encryption software, which allows you control who can view the video as well as prevent the video from being uploaded without your approval.

While COVID has added significant restrictions to the traditional training methods, you can turn those limitations into advantages for your company by providing user-friendly and more readily accessible training to keep your employees up to date on what they need to know, when they need to know it.

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ABSANZ Summit 2020 – November 24-26

web — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:31:00 +0000

ABSANZ Summit 2020. November 24-26.

Exhibitors at the 2020 ABSANZ Summit will be available online to discuss new and efficient ways of meeting your biocontainment needs.

https://www.absanz.org.au/

Bronze Sponsor

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COVID-19 Projected to Dramatically Increase Generation of Medical Waste

web — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 17:47:02 +0000

Indianapolis, IN, September 2020 – More than six months in from the start of the global response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, data from hospitals and medical providers suggests that medical waste generation has significantly increased over this time period. “Hospitals in Wuhan, the center of the COVID-19 outbreak, produced more than 240 tons of single-use plastic-based medical waste (such as disposable face masks, gloves, and gowns) per day at the peak of the pandemic, 6 times more than the daily average before the pandemic occurred. If the increases observed in Wuhan hold true elsewhere, the United States could generate an entire year’s worth of medical waste in 2 months”¹.

In addition to medical waste generated by increased personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, the efforts to create and then effectively distribute a vaccine are expected to generate significant amounts of medical waste that will need to be disposed of safely and environmentally consciously. This will require efficaciously treating mixed source waste at scale while avoiding the harmful environmental and human health impacts of incineration.

BioSAFE Engineering’s STI commercial Medical Waste Treatment System offers hospitals and pharmaceutical companies an onsite decontamination option that efficaciously and reliably inactivates all bacteria, viruses (including COVID-19) mycobacterium, parasites, fungi and bacterial spores.

Once treated, STI systems render medical waste contaminates safe to the general public and the environment. STI non-incineration Regulated Medical Waste Treatment systems incorporate integral shredding, steam treatment and dehydration.

The STI Medical Waste Treatment system is fully enclosed. Air entering the STI systems is HEPA filtered at 99.97% minimum efficiency at 0.3 micron to assure that airborne contaminants are contained by the system assuring safety for healthcare waste treatment personnel.

¹https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6509/1314
Accumulation of plastic waste during COVID-19
BY TANVEER M. ADYEL
SCIENCE11 SEP 2020 : 1314-1315

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George: New Shop Team Member

web — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 16:15:27 +0000

I’ve been with BioSAFE around four months; I learned about the company from some of the current employees while working as a diesel technician. Coming in I was looking for the opportunity to develop my professional skills through working alongside the skilled employees in the shop, and was looking forward to the opportunity for travel given BioSAFE’s global clients. Since joining I’ve been able to develop my welding skills, and feel that there’s still a lot to learn from my coworkers. I was surprised by the emphasis on attention to detail, which isn’t uncommon at other employers, but BioSAFE takes it to a whole other level. I’ve also been impressed by BioSAFE’s dependability, which is a point of pride for the whole team particularly as we provide an essential service during the global COVID pandemic.

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COVID-19 Demands On-Site Medical Waste Management

web — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 19:18:54 +0000

Indianapolis, IN, March, 2020 – Healthcare medical waste is being generated at higher rates than normal due to current events surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued infection control guidelines to raise awareness and encourage the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including N-95 face masks and disposable gloves. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Responsible disposal of medical waste is an important part of this equation. BioSAFE Engineering’s STI commercial Medical Waste Treatment System offers hospitals an onsite decontamination option that efficaciously and reliably inactivates all bacteria, viruses (including COVID-19) mycobacterium, parasites, fungi and bacterial spores.

Once treated, STI systems render medical waste contaminates safe to the general public and the environment. STI non-incineration Regulated Medical Waste Treatment systems incorporate integral shredding, steam treatment and dehydration.

The following is a link from the healthcare workers perspective regarding Coronavirus Disease: https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/884d35/er-doctor-healthcare-workers-coronavirus

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ABSA and CABS Release COVID-19 Resources for Biosafety Professionals

web — Wed, 06 May 2020 20:32:43 +0000

Dear CABS and ABSA International Members and Partners,

As leaders of the Canadian Association for Biological Safety (CABS) and ABSA International, we deeply appreciate the valuable work of our members and partners during this critical response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As neighbors, we plan to cultivate a strong relationship and encourage collaboration between the organizations and our members. As we know, viruses don’t respect borders so it is important to work together to ensure good biosafety and biosecurity practices. ABSA International and CABS would like to share the following resources with all of you and plan to continue collaboration to assist both professional associations. We look forward to both of our conferences and other educational opportunities to share the experiences and lessons learned during this pandemic.

About ABSA International

ABSA International was founded in 1984 to become a global leader for providing professional and scientific expertise in the practice of biosafety and biosecurity. ABSA’s core purpose is to promote and expand biosafety and biosecurity expertise through training, standards, publications, networking, resources, advocacy, annual biosafety/biosecurity conference, and professional credentials. www.absa.org.

ABSA International Resources

SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 TOOLBOX: https://absa.org/covid19toolbox/
Considerations for Handling Potential SARS-CoV-2 Samples (English and Spanish)
COVID-19 FAQs for Continuing at Work
COVID-19 FAQs for Disinfection
COVID-19 FAQs for Working from Home
Online Educational Resources, Including Free Basic Biosafety On-Demand Module https://absa.org/online-education/
Biosafety and Biosecurity Links and Resources https://absa.org/links/
ABSA Biosafety and ABSA Public Health listservs https://absa.org/email-groups/
Risk Group Database https://my.absa.org/Riskgroups
LAI Database https://my.absa.org/LAI
ABSA International Biosafety and Biosecurity Conference https://absaconference.org/

About CABS

The Canadian Association for Biological Safety/L’Association Canadienne Pour La Sécurité Biologique (CABS-ACSB) was formed in 1990 as the Canadian affiliate of ABSA. CABS-ACSB is a non-profit association, which established a Canadian network of individuals interested in a wide variety of biological safety issues and to enhance the knowledge and understanding of biological safety and biosecurity. Through training initiatives at the annual Canadian Biosafety Symposium, CABS-ACSB strives to provide a national voice for biosafety professionals in Canada and internationally. Members can now become a Registered Biosafety Officer (RBSO). https://www.cabs-acsb.ca/

CABS Resources