Biosafety Policy
– April 4, 2011
Page 1 of 2
BIOSAFETY POLICY
Policy Type:
Management
Initially
Approved:
April 4, 2011
Policy
Sponsor:
Provost and Vice-
President,
Academic
Last
Revised:
April 4, 2011
Primary
Contact:
AVP, Research,
Scholarship, and
Community
Engagement
Review
Scheduled:
April 2024
Approver:
Board of Governors
A.
OVERVIEW
Some research or teaching endeavours work with potentially hazardous materials. For biological
hazards, the potential for harm extends beyond oneself and one's colleagues to the local and
regional communities.
In Canada, the federal government has developed policies and procedures in order to fulfill its
mission to safeguard the health of all Canadians. Guidelines for dealing with biological hazards in
laboratories have been developed by the Office of Laboratory Safety, which is part of the Centre
for Emergency Preparedness and Response, established within the Population and Public Health
Branch of Health Canada, under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Health.
B.
PURPOSE
To protect employees, students, the community, and the environment from the risks which may
arise in the handling of potentially hazardous biological materials by ensuring that the elements of
the biosafety program are implemented prior to work being conducted with potentially hazardous
biological material.
To integrate recognition, evaluation, and control of biological hazards on campus and ensure
compliance with applicable federal and provincial government legislation and guidelines.
C.
SCOPE
This Policy addresses biosafety compliance in Mount Royal University's instructional and research
laboratories at all University locations and applies to all laboratory personnel and students. This
Policy applies to all teaching and research projects which use up to Level 2 Biohazards as defined
by Health Canada in "Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, 3rd edition".
Compliance with Mount Royal University policies and procedures extends to all members of the
University community.
D.
POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of Mount Royal University to manage the risk associated with biological hazards in
order to provide faculty, students, and researchers access to pathogens requiring up to Level 2
containment while ensuring that the University and surrounding communities are protected.
