Petri plates containing biological material

Biosafety

Biosafety describes the containment principles, technologies and operational practices that are implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens or toxins, or their accidental release (Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines, Third Edition, 2023). These include physical containment and operational practices for facilities where biological materials are handled or stored. Everyone handling infectious material or toxins needs to understand the risks associated with the material they are handling and follow standard operating procedures to prevent exposure of workers and release into the environment. The goal of biosafety is to contain infectious material and toxins safely within the laboratory (workplace) environment. 

VIU takes the safety of staff and students very seriously. To address the importance of biosafety, everyone at VIU must follow University Policy RS06 Biosafety. If you work, teach or learn in a lab at VIU that handles biological material, you must familiarize yourself with and adhere to this policy. 

Biosafety in teaching and research at VIU is managed through the Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity Office. VIU’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Biosafety Officer (BSO) are responsible for ensuring that all work at VIU conforms to VIU’s policies and procedures, the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations, as well as the current Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines. 

Please contact the VIU Biosafety Officer or the IBC Chair for all questions related to biosafety at VIU.

Biohazard Use in Teaching or Research

A biohazard is any biological material that may cause infection or intoxication. Examples include bacteria, viruses, fungi, a toxin derived from biological material, or human or animal blood or tissues.

Biohazards are classified into one of four risk groups and typically the risk group correlates to the containment level required for safe use. VIU has a Public Health Agency Canada Containment Level 2 License which permits the use of risk group 1 (RG1) and risk group 2 (RG2) biohazards in specific laboratories on campus. VIU’s license does not permit the use of security sensitive biological agents (SSBA’s) or toxins.

Human and animal blood and tissues are primary samples and are only considered biohazards as there is the possibility that they may contain a human or animal pathogen. Primary samples are not regulated by the Public Health Agency of Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, however, they may require a biosafety authorization for use at VIU. 

Contact the BSO with any plans to work with blood or other tissues. 

Required training

All members of the VIU community who work with biohazards, or may be exposed to biohazards during their work at VIU, are required to complete the VIU biosafety training program. Biosafety training must be completed before working in VIU’s laboratories that contain biohazardous materials and repeated every five years or when significant updates are made to the program. 

The VIU Biosafety Training Program is completed in two parts:

Part 1: The VIULearn Biosafety Training Course. This is REQUIRED for all individuals who work with, and may be exposed to, biohazards. This includes faculty, staff and students who are working or learning in VIU’s laboratory spaces.

Part 2: Activity specific training through the Public Health Agency of Canada training portal. The specific courses required will depend on the expected activities of each individual. To determine which courses are required for you, complete the Training Needs Assessment Form. This will be sent directly to the Biosafety Officer for review. 

Included in the VIULearn Biosafety Training Course are resources such as the VIU Biosafety Manual which includes many standard operating procedures for typical activities involving biohazards. 

 

Enrol in the VIU Biosafety Training course

Sign in to VIU learn. 

VIULearn

Click on the DISCOVER tab;

Search Biosafety Training;

Self enrol in the course.

Biosafety authorizations

A VIU biosafety authorization is a permission to use specific biohazards provided by the Institutional Biosafety Committee. A biosafety authorization is only provided once the committee has reviewed the proposed materials and procedures and have determined that the applicant has considered and mitigated the risks associated with those procedures. 

A biosafety authorization is required for working with the following materials:

  • all biological material requiring Containment Level 2 (CL2) or higher under the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) Canadian Biosafety Standards and Handbook; and 
  • all aquatic animal agents requiring Aquatic Containment Level 2 (AQC2) or higher under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 
  • any and all pathogens that have not yet been assigned to a Risk Group by PHAC or CFIA. 
  • any pathogen that is to be used in vivo.

Do you need a biosafety authorization?

Step 1: Review the Biosafety Authorization – How to Guide. This guide walks you through determining whether you need a biosafety authorization and how to apply for one if you need it.

Step 2: Contact the Biosafety Officer to discuss your plans. This step will help streamline the process and reduce confusion and frustration.

Other ethics certifications

Working with human samples requires the approval of the VIU Research Ethics Board.
Working with animal materials requires the approval of the VIU Animal Care Committee. 
Contact these committees to discuss any work with human or animal materials. 

Biosafety resources