Biosafety

The Biosafety Policy sets out the role of the Biosafety Advisory Committee (BAC) and its subcommittee, the Biosafety Protocol Approval Committee (BPAC) regarding the management of the University's Biosafety Program. This policy authorizes BAC to provide advice and guidance on policy, procedures, and guidelines in support of legislative compliance and biosafety best practices, and also participate in investigations of serious incidents and regulatory infractions involving biohazardous materials. This policy authorizes BPAC to issue Biosafety permits in compliance with Federal legislation.

Consistent with the objectives of the University of Saskatchewan's Health and Safety Policy, the Biosafety Advisory Committee (BAC) and associated Biosafety Protocol Approval committee (BPAC) are established under the authority of the President. 

This policy authorizes the BAC to advise on the safe use of biological materials and make recommendations on policies, procedures, and guidelines in support of legislative compliance and biosafety best practices.  

The BAC also participates in investigations of serious incidents and regulatory infractions involving biological materials. Further, the subcommittee of the BAC, the BPAC, is authorized to review and approve protocols and authorize the issuance of Biosafety Permits involving biological materials.  

All individuals working with biological materials must adhere to the legislative requirements and University requirements for their acquisition, use, storage, transfer, and disposal, as stated in the Biosafety Code of Practice. Safety Resources has the authority to enforce University policies and regulatory standards. 

BAC Responsibilities: 

• Advise on the safe use of biological materials. 
• Recommend policies, procedures, and guidelines to support: 
• Legislative compliance 
• Biosafety best practices 

Participate in investigations of: 

• Serious incidents 
• Regulatory infractions involving biological materials

BPAC Responsibilities: 

• Review and approve protocols involving biological materials 
• Authorize the issuance of Biosafety Permits 

Permit holder and authorized worker responsibilities: 

• Comply with legislative requirements 
• Comply with university biosafety requirements, including the requirements outlined in the Biosafety Code of Practice 
• Cooperate with Safety Resources or any other person exercising duties imposed by USask policies or legislation.

Safety Resources Responsibilities: 

Manages, administers, and implements the Biosafety Program as stated in the Biosafety Code of Practice 

Oversees licensing, transfers, importation, and regulatory requirements related to biological materials. 

• Implements recommendations and requirements of the BAC and BPAC 

The source of institutional approved definitions is in the Academic and Curricular Nomenclature.

Biosafety 

Containment principles, technologies, and practices that are implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to regulated materials, and their accidental release. 

Biosecurity 

Security measures designed to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, diversion, or intentional release of regulated materials, and other related assets (e.g., personnel, equipment, non-infectious material, animals, sensitive information). 

Biological material 

Pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, proteins, and nucleic acids, as well as any biological matter that may contain microorganisms, proteins, nucleic acids, other infectious agents, or parts thereof. 

• Academic and Curricular Nomenclature 
• Biosafety Code of Practice
• Canadian Biosafety Standard
• Canadian Biosafety Handbook

• Human Pathogens and Toxins Act   
• Health of Animals Act