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Biological Safety Program Training

The University of Colorado at Boulder is required to provide biosafety training to all personnel, regardless of prior research experience or trainings which may have been completed at other institutions.

The Training Matrix below indicates how often you must take each specific training module, regardless of the number of IBC Applications and/or Addendums that have been approved by the IBC. EH&S will notify Principal Investigators and lab personnel for the training modules that are required to be completed. The required trainings are specific to the type of research being conducted with the exception that everyone using biological agents or materials will be required to complete the "Biosafety" training module and quiz.

UCB Biosafety Program Training Matrix

Training Module Required Frequency of Training
Biosafety Every 3 years
Bloodborne Pathogen Annual
rDNA Every 3 years
Biosafety Cabinets Every 3 years
Shipping Biological Materials Every 2 yrs. or sooner if regulations change
Animal Biosafety Training (ABSL - 1) Every 3 years
Animal Biosafety Training (ABSL - 2) Every 3 years



Biosafety Training

The purpose of this training module is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with good microbiological practices which include recognizing risk groups for biological materials, appropriate containment levels, and personal protective clothing and equipment. After completing this training module, please complete the Biosafety Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB.

Biosafety Training Module (.PDF)

Biosafety Quiz (MS Word)


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Bloodborne Pathogen Training

The purpose of this training module is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, 29 CFR 1910.1030 Standard. After completing this training module, please complete the Bloodborne Pathogen Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB.

Bloodborne Pathogen Training Module

Bloodborne Pathogen Quiz (MS Word)

Support Resources


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Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Training

The purpose of this training module is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines). These Guidelines are the standards for containment and safe research practices involving rDNA activities. After completing this training module, please complete the Recombinant DNA Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB.

Recombinant DNA Training Module (.pdf)

Recombinant DNA Quiz (MS Word)

Support Resources


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Biosafety Cabinet Training

The purpose of this training module is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with the proper selection and use of the various types of biological safety cabinets. These cabinets are essential in protecting both the lab worker and the research when used appropriately. After completing this training module, please complete the Biosafety Cabinet Training Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB in order to receive credit for this course.

Note: Access to this course is limited to computers on the CU Boulder and Denver Campus networks only. If you have difficulty accessing the course, contact EHS at 303/492-6025 or EHSBIO@colorado.edu.

Enter Biosafety Cabinet Module

Biosafety Cabinet Training Quiz (MS Word)


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Shipping Biological Materials Training

The purpose of this training module is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with the regulations, different shipping categories; and proper labeling and packaging of biological materials. The information in the slides will provide just an overview. The links in the slides and the support resources and packing instructions listed below will provide the necessary shipping details. After completing this training module, please complete the Shipping Biological Materials Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB.

Shipping Biological Materials Training Module (.pdf)

Shipping Biological Materials Quiz (MS Word)

Support Resources

Packaging Instructions

Import and Export Resources


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Animal Biosafety - Working Safely with Laboratory Animals

These trainings have been provided courtesy of the American Biological Safety Association www.absa.org and the Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation www.ergriffinresearch.org.

Working at Animal Biosafety Level 1

The purpose of these training modules is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with a Risk Assessment/Management Process and the principles and safe working practices of using biological agents with laboratory animals that require Animal Biosafety Level 1 (ABSL-1) containment. After completing both of these training modules, please complete the ABSL-1 Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB in order to receive credit for this course.

Overview of Risk Assessment & Risk management in Laboratory Animal Biosafety Training Module (Video runtime: 7 minutes, 54 seconds)

ABSL-1 Training Module (Video runtime: 10 minutes, 22 seconds)

ABSL-1 Quiz (MS Word)

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Working at Animal Biosafety Level 2

The purpose of these training modules is to familiarize the Principal Investigator and lab personnel with a Risk Assessment/Management Process and the principles and safe working practices of using biological agents with laboratory animals that require Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL-2) containment. After completing both of these training modules, please complete the ABSL-2 Quiz and e-mail it to EHSBIO@colorado.edu or mail it to 413 UCB in order to receive credit for this course.

Overview of Risk Assessment & Risk management in Laboratory Animal Biosafety Training Module (Video runtime: 7 minutes, 54 seconds)

ABSL-2 Training Module (Video runtime: 19 minutes, 35 seconds)

ABSL-2 Quiz (MS Word)

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