ABSA (Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity) certification
exam. | Complete Questions with Verified Correct Answers &
Detailed Explanations –Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded A+
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a biosafety program in a laboratory handling
biological materials?
A. Eliminate all laboratory work involving biological agents
B. Reduce the risk of exposure and prevent laboratory-associated infections
and releases
C. Increase the speed of experimental procedures
D. Replace the need for laboratory training
Correct Answer: B. Reduce the risk of exposure and prevent laboratory-
associated infections and releases
Explanation:
Biosafety focuses on preventing or reducing risks associated with biological
materials. An effective program uses risk assessment, appropriate
containment, engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices,
and personal protective equipment to protect personnel, the environment,
and the surrounding community.
Question 2
Which principle should generally be performed before selecting containment
measures for a biological procedure?
A. Risk assessment
B. Equipment purchasing
C. Waste disposal
D. Decontamination
Correct Answer: A. Risk assessment
1
,Explanation:
Risk assessment is the foundation of biosafety decision-making. The
assessment considers factors such as the biological agent, procedures being
performed, routes of exposure, personnel, equipment, facility characteristics,
and potential consequences. Controls should then be selected based on the
identified risks.
Question 3
Which factor is particularly important when evaluating the risk associated
with a biological agent?
A. Its ability to cause disease and the potential severity of disease
B. The color of the laboratory equipment
C. The age of the laboratory building alone
D. The number of computers in the laboratory
Correct Answer: A. Its ability to cause disease and the potential severity
of disease
Explanation:
Hazard assessment considers characteristics of the biological agent, including
pathogenicity, infectious dose, route of transmission, availability of preventive
measures, and availability of effective treatment. These characteristics help
determine appropriate controls.
Question 4
What is the primary difference between a hazard and a risk?
A. A hazard is a potential source of harm, while risk considers the likelihood
and consequences of that harm occurring
B. A hazard and risk are always identical
C. Risk refers only to chemical exposures
D. A hazard exists only after an accident
2
,Correct Answer: A. A hazard is a potential source of harm, while risk
considers the likelihood and consequences of that harm occurring
Explanation:
A biological agent may present a hazard because it has characteristics capable
of causing harm. Risk considers how likely exposure or an unwanted event is
and what the consequences could be. Biosafety programs use risk assessment
to determine appropriate controls.
Question 5
Which approach is most consistent with the hierarchy of controls?
A. Rely exclusively on gloves
B. Prefer controls that eliminate or reduce the hazard before relying primarily
on PPE
C. Use PPE only after an exposure occurs
D. Allow workers to decide individually whether controls are necessary
Correct Answer: B. Prefer controls that eliminate or reduce the hazard
before relying primarily on PPE
Explanation:
The hierarchy of controls generally prioritizes measures that remove or
reduce hazards at their source. Engineering and administrative controls are
important components, while PPE serves as an additional layer of protection
rather than the sole control.
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of an engineering control?
A. Biosafety cabinet
B. Annual safety training
C. Laboratory policy
D. Written disciplinary procedure
3
, Correct Answer: A. Biosafety cabinet
Explanation:
Engineering controls isolate personnel from hazards through physical or
mechanical means. A properly selected and maintained biosafety cabinet can
provide personnel and environmental protection from aerosols and other
biological hazards associated with certain procedures.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of a Class II biological safety cabinet?
A. Provide appropriate personnel, environmental, and product protection for
specified microbiological procedures
B. Sterilize all laboratory materials automatically
C. Replace laboratory hand hygiene
D. Store chemicals indefinitely
Correct Answer: A. Provide appropriate personnel, environmental, and
product protection for specified microbiological procedures
Explanation:
Class II biological safety cabinets are designed to provide varying degrees of
personnel, environmental, and product protection through controlled airflow
and HEPA filtration. Their effectiveness depends on proper selection,
installation, certification, operation, and maintenance.
Question 8
Which practice is generally inappropriate when working inside a biological
safety cabinet?
A. Blocking the front or rear airflow grilles with equipment or materials
B. Organizing materials before beginning work
C. Performing procedures that require cabinet containment
D. Disinfecting the work surface according to laboratory procedures
4
exam. | Complete Questions with Verified Correct Answers &
Detailed Explanations –Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded A+
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a biosafety program in a laboratory handling
biological materials?
A. Eliminate all laboratory work involving biological agents
B. Reduce the risk of exposure and prevent laboratory-associated infections
and releases
C. Increase the speed of experimental procedures
D. Replace the need for laboratory training
Correct Answer: B. Reduce the risk of exposure and prevent laboratory-
associated infections and releases
Explanation:
Biosafety focuses on preventing or reducing risks associated with biological
materials. An effective program uses risk assessment, appropriate
containment, engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices,
and personal protective equipment to protect personnel, the environment,
and the surrounding community.
Question 2
Which principle should generally be performed before selecting containment
measures for a biological procedure?
A. Risk assessment
B. Equipment purchasing
C. Waste disposal
D. Decontamination
Correct Answer: A. Risk assessment
1
,Explanation:
Risk assessment is the foundation of biosafety decision-making. The
assessment considers factors such as the biological agent, procedures being
performed, routes of exposure, personnel, equipment, facility characteristics,
and potential consequences. Controls should then be selected based on the
identified risks.
Question 3
Which factor is particularly important when evaluating the risk associated
with a biological agent?
A. Its ability to cause disease and the potential severity of disease
B. The color of the laboratory equipment
C. The age of the laboratory building alone
D. The number of computers in the laboratory
Correct Answer: A. Its ability to cause disease and the potential severity
of disease
Explanation:
Hazard assessment considers characteristics of the biological agent, including
pathogenicity, infectious dose, route of transmission, availability of preventive
measures, and availability of effective treatment. These characteristics help
determine appropriate controls.
Question 4
What is the primary difference between a hazard and a risk?
A. A hazard is a potential source of harm, while risk considers the likelihood
and consequences of that harm occurring
B. A hazard and risk are always identical
C. Risk refers only to chemical exposures
D. A hazard exists only after an accident
2
,Correct Answer: A. A hazard is a potential source of harm, while risk
considers the likelihood and consequences of that harm occurring
Explanation:
A biological agent may present a hazard because it has characteristics capable
of causing harm. Risk considers how likely exposure or an unwanted event is
and what the consequences could be. Biosafety programs use risk assessment
to determine appropriate controls.
Question 5
Which approach is most consistent with the hierarchy of controls?
A. Rely exclusively on gloves
B. Prefer controls that eliminate or reduce the hazard before relying primarily
on PPE
C. Use PPE only after an exposure occurs
D. Allow workers to decide individually whether controls are necessary
Correct Answer: B. Prefer controls that eliminate or reduce the hazard
before relying primarily on PPE
Explanation:
The hierarchy of controls generally prioritizes measures that remove or
reduce hazards at their source. Engineering and administrative controls are
important components, while PPE serves as an additional layer of protection
rather than the sole control.
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of an engineering control?
A. Biosafety cabinet
B. Annual safety training
C. Laboratory policy
D. Written disciplinary procedure
3
, Correct Answer: A. Biosafety cabinet
Explanation:
Engineering controls isolate personnel from hazards through physical or
mechanical means. A properly selected and maintained biosafety cabinet can
provide personnel and environmental protection from aerosols and other
biological hazards associated with certain procedures.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of a Class II biological safety cabinet?
A. Provide appropriate personnel, environmental, and product protection for
specified microbiological procedures
B. Sterilize all laboratory materials automatically
C. Replace laboratory hand hygiene
D. Store chemicals indefinitely
Correct Answer: A. Provide appropriate personnel, environmental, and
product protection for specified microbiological procedures
Explanation:
Class II biological safety cabinets are designed to provide varying degrees of
personnel, environmental, and product protection through controlled airflow
and HEPA filtration. Their effectiveness depends on proper selection,
installation, certification, operation, and maintenance.
Question 8
Which practice is generally inappropriate when working inside a biological
safety cabinet?
A. Blocking the front or rear airflow grilles with equipment or materials
B. Organizing materials before beginning work
C. Performing procedures that require cabinet containment
D. Disinfecting the work surface according to laboratory procedures
4
