Brian Crook
Research Microbiologist
Brian has worked in microbiology research in HSE for over
30 years, covering a wide range of topics from allergic respiratory
disease associated with exposure to biological agents, to infection
risks. The main remit of his work is to identify workplace hazards,
assess risks and apply appropriate controls.
Brian regularly presents the findings of this research at
national and international conferences and has published more than
100 research papers. He has also contributed to HSE guidance
documents including most recently those on viral haemorrhagic
fevers and on high containment laboratory biosafety.
Research Interests
- Infection control in healthcare associated with high
consequence infectious diseases
- Evaluation of personal protective equipment to mitigate
exposure to infections
- Risks associated with Legionnaires' Disease in the built
working environment
- Laboratory biosafety and infection control
Previous Projects
- Development of Personal Protective Equipment for use by
healthcare workers treating patients with high consequence
infectious diseases
- Use of fluorescence visualisation as a training tool to support
infection control
- Allergic respiratory health risks associated with exposure to
biological agents in waste and recycling
- The use of rapid test methods for detection of Legionella
bacteria in water systems
- Workplace risks associated with zoonoses (infections spread
from animals to humans)
Notable Achievements
In 2015, at the height of the Ebola disease outbreak in West
Africa, Brian volunteered to spend 10 weeks working in a testing
laboratory at an Ebola Treatment Centre in Sierra Leone,
undertaking PCR testing on patient samples. Like all medical and
laboratory volunteers, he was awarded the Ebola Medal for Service
in West Africa.
From 2020 - 2021 Brian was part of the HSE PPE Technical Team
that supported accessing the correct PPE for health professionals
during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021 the PPE Technical Team
was given the Peter Isaac Award by the British Occupational Hygiene
Society for "an outstanding initiative that has contributed to the
reduction of ill health at work".
HSE Training Course
Back to the top