Biosafety Policy
Effective Date: September 2000
Review Date: June 2023
Revision Date: June 2023
Signature/Position: Vice-President, Finance and Operations
Applicable Legislation:
• Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario (OHSA) - WHMIS Regulation, O.Reg. 860, R.R.0. 1990
• Health of Animals Act and Regulations (1990, C.21)
• Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations (2009, C.24)
• Plant Protection Act and Regulations (1990 I 95-212)
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations (1992, c. 34)
• Health Protection and Promotion Act and Regulations (R.S. 0. 1990, Chapter H.7)
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act,1999
• New Substance Notification Regulations (Organisms)
Applicable Standards and Guidelines
• Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS), 3rd ed.
• Guideline C-4, The Management of Biomedical Waste in Ontario, November 2009
• Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plant Pests
• Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens
Intent
The intent of this policy is to establish the requirements for ensuring appropriate management of biohazard risks at the University of Guelph.
Application:
This policy applies to all University of Guelph employees (faculty and staff), students, visitors, and contractors involved in research, teaching and laboratory diagnostic activities using biohazardous and/or potentially biohazardous materials as defined in the University’s Biosafety program materials at the University of Guelph including the regional campus, research stations, and approved University field sites. For the purposes of this policy, “biohazardous material” will refer to biohazardous and/or potentially biohazardous materials as outlined in the University’s Biosafety program.
Policy:
- The University will establish and maintain a Biosafety Program to manage biohazardous materials in teaching, research, and laboratory diagnostic programs. The University shall regularly review and make appropriate amendments to the program.
- All research, teaching, and laboratory diagnostic work involving biohazardous materials, shall be conducted in a safe manner to protect the University community and the community at large.
- The University will provide relevant information to pertinent occupants of University buildings containing biohazardous materials, and information and/or training to those who work with or in close proximity to biohazardous materials.
- The University will communicate the provisions of the Biosafety Program to all appropriate workplace parties.
- Employees, students, visitors, and contractors at the University shall fully comply with the provisions of the Biosafety Program.
- The University shall avoid the use of biohazardous materials if another method or activity can be substituted to achieve the same objective. Where the use of biohazardous materials is unavoidable, the least harmful material shall be used.
- Where it is required to use or store biohazardous materials, a risk assessment shall be performed to determine precautions and work practices to be implemented. The risk of exposure shall be reduced to as low a level as reasonably achievable by limiting the number of persons potentially exposed and by the design of work processes and engineering control measures.
Glossary:
Biohazardous Material
Infectious material, pathogens and/or toxins (produced or derived from pathogens) that are capable of causing infection, disease and/or intoxication in living organisms.
Biosafety
A program of administrative controls, medical surveillance, vaccination, and containment strategies to reduce or eliminate exposure of laboratory workers, other persons, animals, plants and the outside environment to biohazardous materials.
Engineering controls
Measures to reduce exposure to potential hazards either by isolating the hazard or by removing it from the work environment. Biological safety cabinet is a typical engineering control.
Risk Assessment
The qualitative or quantitative estimation of the likelihood of adverse effects that may result from exposure to specified hazards.