WHO RAST

The WHO Biosafety Risk Assessment Tool is a practical application of the Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th Edition (LBM4). The risk prediction tool allows for rapid analysis of hazards and risks associated with laboratory activities and other research work. The Biosafety RAST is a guide for laboratory staff that provides the user with logical assistance for conducting risk assessments.

You can use the Biosafety RAST to:

• Identify risks in clinical and public health diagnosis
• Assess risk levels for human and animal research
• Detect risks with fieldwork
• Understand how to gather information on potential hazards
• Access recommendations for suitable risk control measures
• Save and keep track of completed risk assessments
• Download and share a detailed guide for risk management recommendations

WHO Biosafety Training: For laboratory personnel who may find biosafety risk assessments daunting or are unsure where to begin, consider this App a learning tool. A quick and easy way to understand the basics of the LBM4 risk assessment framework, and what questions we should be asking to safeguard the public and planet.

Easy Access Online/Offline: Perform a risk assessment using just your mobile phone. The App will be accessible both online and offline.

Consider Sustainable Safety Measures: The Biosafety RAST will provide you with an initial risk output, summary and further considerations, that will recommend risk management and safety measures suitable for your intended work. The tailored risk outcome will assist users in considering locally sustainable biosafety practices.

Keep Track of All your Risk Assessments: All final risk assessments on the App can be bookmarked and saved for later viewing. Bookmarks can be downloaded and shared via email or social media platforms of your choice. This feature is available in your App dashboard.

A ‘One-Health’ Approach to Pandemic Preparedness: The App will be available in multiple languages to allow global reach. We hope to expand the number of languages it will be available in. Introducing simple ways to help with conducting risk assessments is a stepping-stone towards better pandemic preparedness in future.

We hope this tool will be a useful addition to your risk assessment toolkit and overall biosafety plans.

Disclaimer: The WHO Biosafety Risk Assessment Tool simply acts as a guidance, meant to help users understand how to perform risk assessments. It is advised that an in-depth risk assessment as detailed in the LBM4, is also performed in order to suitably implement locally sustainable and feasible control measures.