HSE offers a range of testing, research and consultancy services
to advise and help government, technology innovators and industry
sectors, such as healthcare, manufacturing and those who conduct
laboratory work, to evaluate the efficacy of decontamination
approaches, methods and devices.
Our services
Chemical disinfection device efficacy
testing
As well as offering testing services aligned to BS EN
17272:2020, HSE specialises in the design of bespoke testing
procedures to assess the efficacy of disinfection devices and novel
applications of common chemical disinfectant technologies,
including formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, ozone and peracetic
acid.
Germicidal UV disinfection technology efficacy
testing
As well as offering testing services aligned to the recently
developed standard BS 8628:2022, HSE can work with manufacturers,
suppliers and customers of germicidal UV disinfection devices
to design bespoke testing procedures to assess the efficacy of
different technologies against a range of bactericidal,
mycobactericidal, sporicidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal and
phagicidal challenge activities.
Research and Consultancy
Our customised services range from advice on decontamination
techniques and experimental design to full scale testing. We are
also able to undertake structured literature reviews, such as rapid
reviews and scoping reviews, on topics related to this area of
science and treatment. Speak to us to find out how we can
help you.
Why work with HSE?
HSE operates and enforces legislation in Great Britain that aims
to control the risks to human health from micro-organisms people
may be exposed to at work.
This regulatory insight combined with scientific knowledge and
experience of real-world scenarios makes us unrivalled in our
ability to advise how to control and manage exposure to
micro-organisms, such as bacteria, during work activities.
Expert led testing services
Our testing services are provided under the technical direction
of HSE principal microbiologist Dr Alan Beswick.
Key facility
Find out more about our Controlled Atmospheric
Chamber.
Published research (all open access)
Beswick, A. J., Farrant, J., Makison, C., Gawn, J., Frost, G.,
Crook, B., & Pride, J. (2011). Comparison of multiple systems
for laboratory whole room fumigation. Applied Biosafety, 16(3),
139-157. https://doi.org/10.1177/153567601101600303
Beswick, A., Bailey, C., Crook, B., Crouch, D., Farrant, J.,
Frost, G., & Stagg, S. (2020). Performance Testing of a
Venturi-Based Backpack Spray Decontamination System. Applied
Biosafety, 25(1), 28-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535676019898299
Bailey, C., Makison-Booth, C., Farrant, J., Beswick, A.,
Chewins, J., Eimstad, M., ... & Crook, B. (2021). Validation of
the Decontamination of a Specialist Transport System for Patients
with High Consequence Infectious Diseases. Microorganisms, 9(12),
2575. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9122575
Beswick, A. J., Fry, C., Bradley, C. R., Pottage, T., Sharpe,
S., Haill, C. F., ... & Wilson, A. P. R. (2022). Automated room
decontamination: report of a Healthcare Infection Society Working
Party. Journal of Hospital Infection, 124, 97-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2022.01.006
(a review and guide)
Brookes, J., Beswick, A., Rosa, I., Bailey, C., Beynon, C.,
Stagg, S., & Bennett, N. (2023). An Assessment of Germicidal
Ultraviolet Treatment Cabinets and Carousels Using a Bacteriophage
Surface Challenge. Applied Biosafety, 28(4), 242-255.https://doi.org/10.1089/apb.2023.0008
Beswick, A., Brookes, J., Rosa, I., Bailey, C., Beynon, C.,
Stagg, S., & Bennett, N. (2023). Room-Based Assessment of
Mobile Air Cleaning Devices Using a Bioaerosol Challenge. Applied
Biosafety, 28(1), 1-10.https://doi.org/10.1089/apb.2022.0028
Contact Us
Contact TestingEnquiries@hse.gov.uk
with your enquiry.