- Policy #:
- RE06
- Responsible Authority:
- Dean, Academic Development & Director, Applied Research and Innovation
- Approval Authority:
- President's Executive Committee
- Executive Sponsor:
- Vice President, Business Development
- Approval Date:
- 2011/02/23
- Last Reviewed:
- 2011/02/23
- Mandatory Revision Date:
- 2016/02/23
- Downloadable Version:
- Use of Biohazards and Radioactive Material in Research and Education
PURPOSE
To establish practices for the responsible management of biohazardous and radioactive materials used in research, education or any other College sanctioned activities.
SCOPE
All College personnel who use biohazardous or radioactive materials in research or education
DEFINITIONS
Word/Term | Definition |
Biohazardous Material | Infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment. |
College Personnel | Includes college researchers, staff and students and any person using College facilities for the purpose of research. |
Radioactive Material | Any material that exhibits radioactivity; emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles such as alpha and beta particles, neutrons or gamma rays. |
CNSC | Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission |
CFIA | Canadian Food Inspection Agency |
POLICY
1. Algonquin College is committed to the highest ethical and safety standards involving the use of biohazardous and radioactive materials in research, education or any other College sanctioned activities.
2. College personnel who are conducting or proposing to conduct research or educational activities involving biohazardous materials shall adhere to the standards outlined in the Public Health Agency of Canada Laboratory Bio-Safety Guidelines (2004, 3rd Edition) . When animal pathogens are involved, College personnel shall adhere to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) guidelines.
3. College personnel who are conducting or proposing to conduct research or educational activities using radioactive materials shall comply with all of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) regulations, recommended procedures, and safety precautions governing the use of such materials in Canada.
4. College personnel shall obtain approval from the Bio-safety committee or the Bio-Safety Officer that the laboratory procedures being used comply with the safety precautions necessary for the level of containment required by the research or educational activities.
PROCEDURE
These are the steps to follow when undertaking any proposed research or activities involving biohazardous or radioactive materials.
Action | Responsibility | ||
1.1 | Review and adhere to the standards outlined in the Public Health Agency of Canada Laboratory Bio-Safety Guidelines and the standards outlined in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Guidelines. | College Personnel | |
1.2 | Review and comply with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulations. | College Personnel | |
1.3 | Obtain approval from the Biohazard and Radiation Safety Committee or the Biosafety Officer that the laboratory procedures being used comply with the safety precautions necessary for the level of containment required by the research or education. | College Personnel | |
1.4 | Recommend to the President that he sign a grant application or release funds to College personnel with a commitment they will adhere to pertinent guidelines or regulations. | Director, Applied Research and Innovation |
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
None
RELATED POLICIES
HS 01 College Occupational Health and Safety System
HS 05 Accident Reporting and Investigation
HS 09 First Aid
RE 04 Use of Animals in Research, Teaching and other Activities
RELATED MATERIALS
Public Health Agency of Canada Laboratory Bio-Safety Guidelines (2004, 3rd Edition) http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/lbg-ldmbl-04/index-eng.php
Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Inspection Checklist – Animal Pathogen Containment Level 2 Facilities. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/path/animae.shtml.
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) regulations, recommended procedures, and safety precautions governing the use of radioactive materials in Canada http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/