University of Saskatchewan Policies
BioSafety
| Category: | Health, Safety and Environment |
| Responsibility: | Vice-President (Finance & Resources) Vice-President (Research) |
| Authorization: | Board of Governors |
| Approval Date: | September 23, 1999 |
| Reformatted: | March 30, 2001 |
Purpose:
The BioSafety Policy Statement sets out the role of the BioSafety Advisory Committee, in particular authorizing the committee to issue BioSafety permits to ensure compliance with Federal and Provincial legislation.
Policy:
Consistent with the objectives of the University of Saskatchewan's Health, Safety and Environmental Protection Policy, the BioSafety Advisory Committee (BAC) is established under the authority of the President. The BioSafety Advisory Committee 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 BioSafety Advisory Committee, the BioSafety Protocol Approval Committee, is authorized to issue Biosafety permits.
All individuals working with biohazardous materials or notifiable biological substances must adhere to the administrative procedures and rules for the acquisition, use, storage, transportation and disposal of the above materials, as set forth in the University's BioSafety Code. The Department of Health, Safety and Environment has the authority to enforce University policies and regulatory standards.
Procedure Summary:
In accordance with the University's BioSafety Code and on the recommendations of the BioSafety Advisory Committee, the Department of Health, Safety and Environment shall administer the BioSafety Program.
Definitions:
Biohazardous material is 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.
Notifiable Biological Substances are 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 the Department of Health, Safety and Environment.
Contact: Director, Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection (WSEP) (966-8495)
Website: http://www.usask.ca/dhse
Copyright 2007, University of Saskatchewan
We welcome your comments about this web site.
The University does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of this collection of policies.
Please view our disclaimer.
