×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Support and Oversight
Biological agents are one of the key hazards managed by ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳’s Safety Management System.
Work with biological agents isÌýaÌýsignificant risk for departments and is one of the one of five major hazards at ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳. The other major hazards include chemicals, fire, infrastructure and radiation.
To ensure that biological agents and other major hazards are managed in accordance with the standards set by the University Management Committee (UMC), ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Professional Services and Estates provide additional support.
- Genetic Modification and Biological Safety Sub-Committee (GMBSSC)
The Genetic Modification and Biological Safety Sub-Committee (GMBSSC) reports to the ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Work Health and Safety Committee (WHSC). Further information on the GMBSSC can be found in this linkÌý​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
- Safety Services
The Safety Services team provides support through:
- the BioChem TeamÌý
- the Biosafety Hub, a repository for information and guidance for working with biological agents at ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳
- trainingÌýe.g. Principle and Practice of Biosafety Training, Prinicples of laboratory safety at ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳
- support for HSE notifications
- support for HSE visits
The teamÌýalso provides oversight in the form of:
- auditing Class 1 risk assessments
- auditing CL3 lab controls
Ìý
- Biological Safety Officer
The Biological Safety Officer:
The BSOÌýis a position that is supported by more than one person to provide continuity of support for researchers working with biological agents at ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳.ÌýÌý
- provides legal updates to GMBSSC
- author the standards and ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳-wide procedures for working with biological agentsÌý
- provides general advice on all biological safety matters
- provides support for the specification of equipment and CL labs of all levels
The BSO is also responsible for:
- ensuring the GMBSSC reviews risk assessments
- auditing specific procedures, e.g. the emergency plans for spills
- Estates Division
Both Estates Development and Estates Operations play a key role in supporting biosafety at ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ through:
- project management for the installation and decommissioning of labs.
- maintainance of building infrastructure e.g. HVAC
Estates Operations are responsibile for:
- asset management (both regulatory examinations and pre-planned maintenance) supervision of contractors of ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ equipment for both proactive and reactive activity
ensuringÌýthat departmental managed assets are maintained and repaired when necessary
Last updated: Monday, January 16, 2023