The use of potentially pathogenic organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, protozoa, biotoxins etc.) and potentially biohazardous material (blood, mammalian cell lines) may have a negative impact on an individuals health, or if released, on the community or environment at large. Biohazardous agents are defined as potentially pathogenic organisms that may affect humans, animals, aquatic organisms and plant and plant pests. In Canada, work with these types of organisms are regulated by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Trent University recognizes that the use of these organisms needs to take place in a safe and secure fashion while still advancing our scientific knowledge, and has several policies and programs in place in this regard. The University encourages all researchers to familiarise themselves with the Science Safety Program, which incorporates the internal responsibility system by:
- Defining the roles and responsibilities of individuals, supervisors and the University;
- Addressing training requirements and resources;
- Assisting in communication;
- Providing document templates and guidelines;
- Describing tools for hazard identification and assessment;
- Discussing hazard control; and
- Providing for inspections and audits, which allows for reviews of the effectiveness of the program.
The Science Safety Advisory Committee, which reviews all bio-safety and radiation research applications, is responsible for reviewing the Science Safety Program on a regular basis. The Science Safety Program should be incorporated by everyone who works in the Sciences at Trent.
If you have any questions or comments about this program, please consult the Manager of Science Facilities, Angela Sikma.
Dual Use and Safeguarding Science
Dual use can be defined as a product, methodology, information or conclusion, which could be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes.
The Biosafety Work Permit Application (BSWPA) includes a section on determining the dual use potential of a project. Principal investigators are required to complete this section. Should the questionnaire reveal that there is a dual use potential inherent in a project, the University will proceed to determine the level of risk associated with this potential. The majority of research will likely not have a dual use potential, or if it does the risk of it being used in a harmful way will be very low. Nonetheless, it is the University’s responsibility to formally address the risk.
For additional resources on Dual Use and Safe-Guarding Science, researchers can complete the Public Health Agency of Canada’s comprehensive online course, which is open to anyone.
If there are additional questions or concerns, please contact either the Manager of Science Facilities or the Office of Research & Innovation.