Biosafety

Biosafety is the combination of measures employed when handling biological materials to avoid infecting oneself, others, or the environment. These measures are encompassed in the Biosafety Program at MacEwan University as described in the MacEwan University Biosafety Manual.

There are aspects of teaching, learning and research activities undertaken at MacEwan University that require the use of regulated materials. These may be up to and including Risk Group 2 agents requiring Biosafety Containment Level 2. Any work with regulated materials on MacEwan property is governed by the Public Health Agency of Canada issued Pathogen and Toxin License.

What are Biological Materials vs Regulated Materials?

Biological material is 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 that could be a health hazard to humans or animals or is an environmental risk. Biological materials that are Risk Group 2 materials and above or are unknown risk are treated as biohazardous. 

Biohazardous materials include (but are not limited to):

• Human clinical specimens, including blood or other bodily fluids (saliva, urine, etc.) or primary culture of human cells

• Viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, or eukaryotic cell lines

• Environmental specimens suspected to contain microbes

• Large-scale single volume culture more than 10 litres for any microbe or eukaryotic cell line

• Microbial toxins

• Genetic manipulation involving the use of recombinant DNA

Regulated Materials is used in the Canadian Biosafety Standards and is defined as:

• Human pathogens and toxins (under the HPTA and HPTR);

• Terrestrial animal pathogens (under the HAA and HAR); and

• Terrestrial animal pathogens in animals, animal products, animal by-products or other organisms (under the HAA or HAR).

Working with Regulated Materials at MacEwan University

When conducting work or research with regulated materials at MacEwan University the following must be done prior to beginning work.

1. Complete the HSE Regulated Materials Permit Application

2. Complete the HSE Hazard Assessment and Control Report for controlling hazards during the work with the biological material.

3. Complete a Pathogen Risk Assessment for Regulated Material prior to any work with a regulated material.

4. Be prepared for annual Inspections (see more information under Inspections).

Transfer of Biological Materials

The transfer of biological material requires that special precautions are followed by laboratory personnel. There are two main considerations when transporting biological material:

1. Ensuring the safety of personnel, the public and the environment in the event of a spill of the material, and,

2. Public perception of the safety of the materials being transported.

The transfer of biohazardous materials off MacEwan property is governed by the federally regulated  Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and transportation must be arranged with a TDG certified carrier. All individuals who are involved in packaging and transfer of hazardous materials off campus must have valid TDG certification and complete the Regulated Material Transfer Notification form.