Risk assessment

"The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence". Carl Sagan

The concept of risk refers to the probability of damage, injury or disease occurring. When we talk about assessing biological risk we basically mean preventing infections. When activities involve working with infectious or potentially infectious material, risk assessment is of critical value in that it allows us to identify risks and assign the biosafety levels (facilities, equipment and practices) that will minimise the risk of exposure to an infectious agent.

Biological risk assessment is one of the key principles of biosafety. It is the process used to identify the hazardous characteristics of an infectious organism, the activities that could lead to exposure, the chances of contracting a disease after an exposure and the consequences of an infection. Risk assessment provides the necessary information to determine the appropriate biosafety measures (facility characteristics, microbiological practices, safety equipment, etc.).