2026 Conference Workshops

Facilitators: Stephen Coulter, Neil Walls, Mark Craig, Darren Green, Richard Sale, Tom Rimmington and Zibby Perrich

In this full-day masterclass you will have the opportunity to meet with and interact with industry greats across the disciplines of Architecture, hydraulics. Electrical, mechanical and process design. The workshop is designed to inspire young designers with the variety and complexity of projects these highly experienced designers have worked on over many years. How they go about approaching designs. Mistakes that they have made and one or two go to rules of thumb that every experienced engineer or architect uses to test the design requirements and make sure the design is fit for purpose. There will also be time for participants to interact with the panel of experts. 

Specifically designed for young design and engineering professionals starting their career, it is also suitable for experienced professionals who want to take part in this rare opportunity to meet with some of the greatest designers in the industry.

• Neil Walls, Biocontainment Mechanical Engineer
• Stephen Coulter, GMP and Biocontainment Engineer
• Mark Craig, Senior Architect
• Darren Green, Former Technical Director; Senior Process and Mechanical Engineer
• Richard Sale, Senior Architect
• Tom Rimmington, Senior Civil, Fire and Hydraulic Engineer
• Zibby Perrich, Engineering Manager; Senior Electrical Engineer

Facilitators: Lisa van Duin and Dr Ann Cornish

The term 'Biorisk Management Advisor' was first introduced in the CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) 15793 in 2008. This term can be applied to a range of professionals responsible for assisting and advising on Biorisk Management (biosafety and biosecurity), including senior scientists, responsible officers, Biosafety Officers, Laboratory Managers and OHS Advisors. In addition, ISO 35001 requires that Biorisk Management Advisors be competent (i.e. have the appropriate education and experience) to 'provide advice, guidance and assurance on issues relating to biorisk management'.

In 2024, ISO published TS 5441 'Competence requirements for biorisk management advisors' which defines the basic technical requirements for these key individuals to advise on biosafety and biosecurity matters.

Join us on this interactive course to become familiar with best international practice requirements in relation to the necessary skills and knowledge for advisors in this field and determine what areas you (and your organisation) would benefit from developing further. We will also cover the currently available opportunities for gaining expertise in biorisk management and how you might approach your ongoing professional development to support your career goals.   

 This workshop will include both theoretical and interactive sessions that covers the following learning objectives:

• Be familiar with the competence requirements for biorisk management advisors specified in ISO/TS 5441

 

• Understand how these standards tie in with the implementation of a biorisk management program
   
• Be aware that competent advisors are key to supporting regulatory compliance and ensuring safer laboratory work environments
   
• Understand how to perform a gap analysis to identify areas to develop

 

• Become familiar with a range of opportunities available to support and demonstrate your continuing professional development as a competent advisor.

Facilitators: Dr Richard Spence | MPI, Dr Rachel Gamble and Gilles Tremblay | Pond and Co 

This workshop dives deep into the risk assessment in the biosafety and biocontainment world, moving beyond a "one-size-fits-all" approach. We'll start with the foundational principles of what a risk assessment is, why it's critical in laboratory and research settings, and the regulatory frameworks that often guide it. Through engaging, real-world case studies from diverse biosafety scenarios, attendees will gain practical insights into identifying hazards, characterizing risks, and evaluating control measures. A core component of this course involves applying various risk assessment techniques, from qualitative to semi-quantitative methods. We'll critically examine the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, helping you understand when and how to deploy the most effective tool for a given situation. Get ready for hands-on exercises that will equip you with the skills to confidently conduct robust risk assessments, ensuring the safety and integrity of your work environment.

Facilitators: Paul Langevin |Merrick, Nathan Woods | MPI, Andrew Hill |CSIRO ACDP

As regulatory frameworks evolve and design standards continue to be updated, PS3, CL3 (A)BSL3 biocontainment HVAC- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning design, EDS- Effluent Decontamination Systems design and commissioning for laboratories have become increasingly complex yet critically important for safety, performance, and registration/certification. This full-day ABSANZ pre-conference course will equip engineers, architects, biosafety professionals, scientists and facility managers with well-founded understanding of two (2) of the most challenging design issues and performance elements for PC3 laboratories. The approach and tools used to conceptualize, evaluate, and commission HVAC and EDS systems will demonstrate a common truly international solution that meets both national/international biosafety expectations and local regulatory requirements. A comprehensive review of integrating BSC- Primary equipment biological safety cabinets HVAC design options with one-line schematics will illuminate how choices in system topology affect containment, maintainability, operational reliability, and audit readiness.

Participants will explore ground-up design principles, HVAC options based on risk levels and systems and recommended solutions with verification from lessons learned of successful projects, including challenges with airflow control, pressure cascades, HEPA filtration strategies, ductwork routing and redundancy. EDS systems demand accurate environment controls with proven validation for meeting biological sterilization imposed by regulations and guidelines. The instructors will define the design strategies that lead to successful commissioning and operational management and improvements. and the integration of effluent treatment systems in higher containment facilities.

Critical emphasis will be placed on PC3 commissioning workflows, including dynamic testing, sensor calibration, pressure monitoring, and verification protocols that align with certification checklists such as those promulgated by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and current Australian biosafety and biosecurity guidance. Attendees will gain insight into best-practice design approaches that streamline commissioning, enhance operational resilience, and support compliance documentation.

By integrating case studies on a global scale, practical design analysis, and emerging regulatory considerations, this course positions participants to deliver biosafety HVAC solutions that are robust, compliant, and adaptable to future needs.

Draft Agenda

0900 – 0930 | Introduction & Regulatory Foundations

Instructor Introductions: Paul Langevin P. Eng (Canada)/Nathan Woods Facilities Engineer (New Zealand)/ Andrew Hill Biosafety Manager (Australia) Overview of PC3/BSL3 requirements, standards (AS/NZS 2243.3), and certification frameworks.

0930 – 1100 | Principles of Biocontainment HVAC Design
Pressure cascades, redundancy, airflows, BSC, filtration selection, and containment zoning.

1100 – 1230 | HVAC One-Line Design Options & Analysis
Comparison of design topologies, control strategies, and risk trade-offs.

1230 – 1330 | Lunch

1330 – 1500 | Effluent Treatment Systems (EDS) & Liquid Waste Design
Integration of EDS and liquid waste handling within PC3 facilities.

1500 – 1630 | Commissioning for Compliance and Certification
Cx methods, dynamic testing, documentation, and audit readiness.

1630 – 1700 | Lessons Learned & Open Discussion
Case studies, pitfalls, and future design trends.