The University has an obligation to its community, funding agencies and the public at large to conduct its teaching and research activities in a responsible and accountable manner. To that end, the Nipissing University Biosafety Committee (the Committee) is mandated by the office of the Provost and Vice- President, Academic and Research and administered by the office of Graduate Studies and Research to provide policy direction and make recommendations to the Provost and Vice President, Academic and Research for all matters pertaining to the use of biohazardous materials in research and in teaching.
The Committee monitors the use of biohazardous material in teaching and research by performing the following duties:
- Develop and maintain University policies for handling biohazardous materials in compliance with internal and external standards including: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations (OHSA), and Nipissing University’s policies;
- To ensure that all users, are fully aware of the guidelines and of the nature of containment required for research/teaching;
- Review and approve applications for use of biohazardous materials;
- Advise the Provost and Vice President, Academic and Research on matters relating to biohazards.
Biosafety Committee Terms of Reference
Plan for Administrative Oversight
Section 3 of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations states: If the applicant for a licence is a person who intends to carry out scientific research, before the Minister issues the licence she or he must determine that the person has developed a plan that sets out how they will administratively manage and control biosafety and biosecurity risks during the term of the licence. To that end, Nipissing University and the Biosafety Committee have developed a Plan for Administrative Oversight that has been vetted and approved by Public Health Agency of Canada (link to document below).