Some resources referenced in this article are internal documents and require a valid USask NSID login to access.
The USask Biosafety Program aims to ensure safe acquisition, use, storage, transfer, and disposal of biological and biohazardous materials. This program outlines the administrative and operational requirements for individuals working with biological and biohazardous materials to meet all legislative requirements as set forth in USask's Biosafety Code of Practice and supporting documentation found below.
Biosafety Regulatory Information
Activities involving biohazardous materials are regulated by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Refer to the Government of Canada’s Biosafety and biosecurity website to find:
- Canadian biosafety standards and guidelines - Requirements for safe handling of human and animal pathogens, toxins and plant pests in laboratories and other containment zones
- Pathogen Safety Data Sheets - Technical information on specific human pathogens, their hazardous properties and laboratory safety
- ePATHogen - Searchable database of pathogens and toxins, including nomenclature, risk group classifications, containment requirements, regulatory insights
Biosafety Policy
Under the Biosafety Policy, all members of the USask community working with biological materials must meet all legislative requirements and must follow the administrative procedures and operational requirements for their acquisition, use, storage, transfer, and/or disposal as stated in the Biosafety Code of Practice and supporting documentation.
Training
Authorized Workers working in biosafety permitted labs must complete Safety Resources online training courses:
- Laboratory Safety
- Biosafety
- Biohazardous Waste Training
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Register through Training and Development.
Training Records
All training, including site-specific training, SOP training, and training on local Biosafety Plans and Emergency Response Plans, etc. must be documented and kept on file.
Check out our Guideline on Records for Training Documentation for more information and training record templates.
Additional training courses are also available through Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) Training Portal.
Supporting Documentation
USask staff, faculty, and students can access Biosafety Supporting Documentation, which includes deadlines and updates, regulatory and compliance materials, procedures and guidelines, forms, posters, and templates.
Contact
For more information, contact the Biosafety Group at biosafety@usask.ca.
If you want to know who the Biosafety Officer is for your building on campus or what services the Biosafety Officers provide, refer to the “
Who is my Biosafety Officer?” guide.