Biosafety required training is now easier to access and shorter to complete. Now available in Canvas, the new interactive training is based on UW-Madison researcher’s Biosafety Manual and is considerably shorter than the previous training.
The estimated time to complete the training is down to 90 to 110 minutes, whereas the previous training module took approximately 180 minutes. The new training is also adjusted for use on a desktop, tablet or mobile device.
Another change that has occurred is the frequency of training which has shifted from once every five years to once every three years.
by David Dyer
David Dyer is a Biosafety Specialist on the IBC and Laboratory Operations team. He joined EH&S in 2021 and supports the research community through reviewing biosafety protocols, conducting risk assessments, and visiting laboratories.
New addition to campus biosafety training catalog
A new course has joined the campus biosafety training catalog. Biosafety 108: Disinfection, Inactivation & Disposal is designed for anyone working in biological labs who wants a deeper understanding of safe practices for managing biohazardous materials at UW-Madison.
Biosafety 108 consists of two learning modules:
- Module 1: Disinfection & Inactivation in Biological Laboratories and Research (available now!)
- Module 2: Biohazardous Waste Disposal on Campus (available Fall/Winter 2025)
Whether you’re new to lab work or just brushing up on best practices, this optional course can add valuable depth to your biosafety toolkit.
As with other optional biosafety trainings, Biosafety 108 features:
- Self-registration – Links are on Environment, Health & Safety training webpages at ehs.wisc.edu/training.
- No renewal or expiration – Once completed, you’re good to go. No reminders to renew training.
- Training Information Lookup Tool (TILT) record – Your completion will display with other biosafety and EH&S safety trainings at https://compliance.research.wisc.edu/TILT/ (NetID login required)
Explore Biosafety 108 and other safety training opportunities at ehs.wisc.edu/training.
by Tara Schnell
Tara Schnell, Biosafety Training Specialist, has supported UW–Madison’s research community since 2009, developing online courses, guidance, workshops, and lab-specific trainings focused on general biosafety and biological materials shipping regulations.
It’s Biosafety and Biosecurity Month 2025! Look out for more biosafety topics each week in October.
This year’s Biosafety Month theme is Safety from Start to Finish.
Learn about the latest biological safety updates that impact labs like yours on the UW–Madison campus, and print the flyer to help spread the word.
Have a biosafety question? Need help? The UW-Madison Office of Biological Safety is ready to serve you!
The UW-Madison Office of Biological Safety is a proud member of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA).