A Survey on Laboratory Biosafety Status of Public Healthcare Centers in Korea

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the laboratory biosafety status of Public Health Centers (PHCs) in Korea during Oct.7~26, 2012. We surveyed the environment of biosafety management, especially for the recognition level for biosafety of workers in the organizations. The questionnaires given out to 98 workers who are working for PHCs are to research the recognition level of workers for the knowledge of biosafety, related laws and regulations. The level was the highest in the Research Institute of the Public Health & Environment (RIPHE) followed by quarantine station, and the health center was assessed as the last. It was turned out that the biosafety educational program in the RIPHE was implemented on a regular basis (65.2%) with irregular cases (21.7%), and some outsourcing chances (8.7%). However, quarantine stations and health centers didn't practice actively biosafety training programs compared to RIPHE. In addition, there was a majority of opinions that the most important thing to improve biosafety level of PHCs is to strengthen current poor training and education system. In conclusion, it is necessary to develop more improved training system for biosafety on exposure risks including injuries, personal protective equipment, and chemical hazards.