Draft:Institute of Safety in Technology and Research
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Submission declined on 10 June 2025 by CoconutOctopus (talk).
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This draft has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting re-review. |  |
| Submission declined on 29 April 2025 by DoubleGrazing (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are: Declined by DoubleGrazing 6 months ago.
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Deus Melium (talk) 14:58, 21 March 2025 (UTC)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2016) |
| Abbreviation | ISTR |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1981 |
| Type | Professional organization |
| Location | |
| Website | istr |
Formerly called | Institute of University Safety Officers |
Originally founded as the Institute of University Safety Officers in 1981, the Institute of Safety in Technology and Research (ISTR), incorporating the UK Biosafety Association, is a non-profit professional membership organisation based in the UK that serves occupational health and safety practitioners in technology and research, across education, industry, government agencies, healthcare, and consultancy sectors. [1]
The ISTR is affiliated with a number of international biosafety organisations, including the European BioSafety Association and the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA).[2][3]
Roles & Functions
[edit]The ISTR carries out a range of functions including:
- Publishing expert scientific and technical guidance [4]
- Advising and presenting evidence to UK government departments and agencies on matters relating to safety in science, technology and research [5]
- Contributing and consulting on development of national and international publications [6][7]
- Developing standards for biosafety professionals [8]
- Setting and maintaining a competency framework for biological safety practitioners and professionals
Role in development of biosafety professional standards
[edit]The ISTR has been a prominent supporter and advocate for the development and maintenance of professional standards, including biosafety, for many years. In early 2008, following the publication of the report from the Callaghan Review, ISTR provided written evidence and witness testimony to the UK Parliament’s Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills Committee, a Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons, which was examining biosecurity in UK research laboratories. [9] Between December 2009 and June 2011, ISTR contributed to the development of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) workshop on biosafety professional competence which was published as CWA 16335, which served as the foundation of the international technical specification ISO/TS 5441:2024 Competence requirements for biorisk management advisors (BMAs). [10] [11]
United Kingdom Biosafety Association (UKBSA) & Biosafety Accreditation
[edit]In 2011 ISTR formed the Biosafety Steering Group, and subsequently in September 2024, incorporated the United Kingdom Biosafety Association (UKBSA). The Biosafety Steering Group continues to co-ordinate the UKBSA on behalf of the ISTR Executive Committee.[12]
ISTR created and accredits the Biosafety Accreditation Scheme for biosafety practitioners and professionals which establishes standards of competency for individuals working in the biosafety sector and is based on the CEN Workshop Agreement 16335: Biosafety professional competence.
Completion of an accredited Biosafety Practitioner Level 1 (Foundation) training course along with two years of relevant experience provides eligibility to be registered as a Biosafety Practitioner.
For individuals working full-time in biosafety, completion of an assessment portfolio over a five year period provides eligibility to be registered as a Biosafety Professional. Successful individuals are permitted to use the post-nominal letters BSP.
Events
[edit]ISTR holds regular educational and professional networking events. Prior to 2019, ISTR used to hold regular symposia twice a year in the summer and autumn. However, other than a virtual symposium in summer of 2020, only a single symposia is now held annually in November[13]. Each symposia consists of speakers from regulators, higher education, private and public sectors presenting a chosen 'theme'.
In 2024 to recognise the 50th Anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 selected sections of the Act were chosen as the theme to explore their continued relevance in UK workplaces.
ISTR also works with other organisations such as the UKHSA, the Society for Radiological Protection, and the Applied Safety in Pathology Group, to host and coordinate regular workshops, webinars, and meetings.
Autumn Symposia
[edit]| Year | Location | Theme | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sheffield | 50 years of the HASAW Act | Kelham Island Museum |
| 2023 | Nottingham | Demystifying Regulation | Albert Hall, Nottingham |
| 2022 | York | H&S in Travel & Transport | National Railway Museum |
| 2021 | Virtual | Engineering for Safety | N/A |
| 2020 | Manchester | {Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic} | Pendulum Hotel, Manchester |
| 2019 | Manchester | Managing Laboratory and Research Waste | Pendulum Hotel, Manchester |
Other Events
[edit]| Year | Title | Theme | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 'Applied Safety in Pathology Group LEV Symposium' | LEV systems (See 'Engineering controls') | Online |
| 2024 | 'UKHSA Polio Infectious Materials Survey Webinar'[14] | Global Polio Eradication programme [15] (See 'Polio eradication') | Online |
| 2024 | 'Introduction to Non-Ionising Radiation Safety Webinar' | Non-ionizing radiation (in conjunction with Society for Radiological Protection) | Online |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "About ISTR". istr.org.uk.
- ^ "National Networks - EBSA Partner organisations". European Biosafety Association.
- ^ "IFBA Welcomes UK Biosafety Association". International Federation of Biosafety Associations. 17 March 2025.
- ^ "First industry guidance on safe working with arthropods and GM insects launched". Pirbright Institute. 21 April 2017.
- ^ "Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee - Biosecurity in UK research laboratories" (PDF). publications.parliament.uk.
- ^ "Managing health and safety in research: guidance for the non-profit sector". IOSH.com.
- ^ "Working Safely with Nanomaterials (3rd Edition)" (PDF). University Chemical Safety Forum.
- ^ "CEN Workshop Agreement: Biosafety professional competence". Biosecurity Central.
- ^ "Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee - Biosecurity in UK research laboratories" (PDF). publications.parliament.uk.
- ^ "CEN Workshop Agreement: Biosafety professional competence". Biosecurity Central.
- ^ "EBSA Course: ISO/TS5441:2024 Competence Requirements for Biorisk Management Advisors: what it is, how to use it". European Biosafety Association.
- ^ "UK Biosafety Association". istr.org.uk/UKBSA.
- ^ "ISTR Past Events".
- ^ "Polio Infectious Material Survey - UKHSA webinar". istr.org.uk.
- ^ "Guidance: Global Polio Eradication programme". UK Health Security Agency.
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