Research Involving Biohazards
If your research involves the use of biohazards, you will need to meet the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding - Schedule 13: Research Involving Biohazards

Biosafety Awareness
This document explains some of the basics of biosafety. It is intended for people who may visit or walk by biosafety laboratories on campus.

Biosafety Training
Anyone working with biohazardous agents on campus requires training. This link provides detailed informationon about required training, including Biosafety training.

Biological Agents Registry Form   
This form must be completed by the Principal Investigator holding a grant administered by Western where the research involves biohazardous infectious agents. It must also be completed if the work involves Western faculty members, staff or students.

Forms must be submitted by the at the end of the month prior to the Committee meeting. For example, forms must be submitted by April 30th to be reviewed at the May meeting.  The dates for the upcoming meetings are:
January 13, 2012
February 10, 2012
March 16, 2012
April 13, 2012
May 18, 2012
June 15, 2012
July 13, 2012
August 10, 2012
September 14, 2012
October 12, 2012
November 16, 2012
December 14, 2012

If you are making a small change to the work you do, you may complete a Modification Form instead. Please see the Modification Form Procedure for more information.

If your research involves animals, please contact the Animal Use Subcommittee.

Biosafety Policies and Procedures
This link includes policies and procedures, including the Biosafety Manual and autoclaving procedures.

External Links for Biosafety
There are a number of useful websites outside of the University for biosafety information and a selection are listed here. (E.g. Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines and Material Data Safety Sheets)

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (New)
The Human Pathogens and Toxins Act passed June 23, 2009.
Follow the above link to see the Act itself. To see how it will impact Researchers at Western, please see the Information Bulletin.

Biohazardous Order Procedure
This document outlines the procedure to follow when biohazarous agents are to be ordered.

Importation of Biohazardous Material
If you are importing material that may be biohazardous, you will need import permit(s).

• If the material may be a human pathogen, you will need to contact the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
• If the material may be an animal pathogen, you will need to contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has determined that some strains of Escherichia coli do not have any CFIA regulatory requirements.  To see this list of Escherichia coli click here.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has determined that some organisms are non-pathogenic and do not require import permits from PHAC.
To see the list click here.

For information on Cedarlane orders of Level 2 Biohazards (or above), please click here.

Biohazard Waste Safety Alert
Biohazard waste containers need to be clearly labelled.

Biosecurity
The University has a biosecurity plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Biosafety Committee & Subcommittees
Links to various Health & Safety committees