Biosafety

Authorization: Board of Governors
Approval Date: Sep 23, 1999
Reformatted: Mar 30, 2001
Amended: Nov 7, 2017

The Biosafety Policy sets out the role of the Biosafety Advisory Committee (BAC) and its subcommittee, the Biosafety Protocol Approval Committee (BPAC). 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. The BAC is authorized by the President to advise on the safe use of biohazardous materials and notifiable biological substances and makes recommendations on policies, procedures, and guidelines. Further, the subcommittee of the BAC, the BPAC, is authorized to issue Biosafety permits.

All individuals working with biohazardous materials, human pathogens and toxins, or notifiable biological substances must adhere to the regulations for the acquisition, use, storage, transportation and disposal of the above materials, as set forth in the university's Biosafety Code of Practice. Safety Resources has the authority to enforce University policies and regulatory standards.

In accordance with the university's Biosafety Code of Practice and on the recommendations of the Biosafety Advisory Committee, Safety Resources shall administer the Biosafety Program. All individuals must adhere to the university's Biosafety Code of Practice for the acquisition, use, storage, transportation, and disposal of biological substances.

Biohazardous material - any biological material, which is potentially harmful to humans, animals, plants and/or the environment. These include, but are not limited to, any organism (bacteria, protozoa fungi, algae, viruses, and human blood, cells, body fluids and tissues) or their toxic metabolites believed to be potentially harmful to humans, animals or plants. Certain types of nucleic acids, such as DNA derived from pathogenic organisms and human oncogenes, are also considered to be biohazardous materials. Any cases where it is uncertain whether the material is a biohazard will be referred to President's Biosafety Advisory Committee.

Human Pathogens - micro-organisms, nucleic acids, or protiens that are listed in the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act in the following sections: Schedules 2 to 4 or in Part 2 of Schedule 5, or is not listed in any of the Schedules but falls into Risk Group 2, Risk Group 3, or Risk Group 4.

Toxins - substances listed in Schedule 1 or in Part 1 of Schedule 5 of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act.

Notifiable Biological Substances - substances listed in Table 19 B (Genetically modified microorganisms) in the Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (Section 305 and 311) requiring written notice to and permission from the Director of Saskatchewan Labour.

Further details can be obtained from Safety Resources.

• Biosafety Code of Practice
• Canadian Biosafety Standard
• Canadian Biosafety Handbook