Jennifer Wesley
Manager, Research Risk
University of Guelph
Fumes from lab accident
clear UQAM building
Exp lo sio n b lo w s p ro f e sso r
t h ro u g h c e i l i n g
Prof dies in lab accident USF grad student burns face in lab
R e s e a rc h e r m a y h a v e
accident
c a u g ht Eb o l a i n l a b
a c c i d e nt
Students injured in WRA lab fire
settle suit for $18.9 million
Damage estimated at $1.2 million in fire at U of
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Risk -uncertainty about outcomes that can
be positive or negative
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Risk management – the process of making
and implementing decisions that will
minimize the adverse effects of accidental
losses on the organization
• Health and
safety of you
and your
colleagues
Personnel
Net
income
Property
Liability
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Chemical
Biohazards
Radiation
General laboratory equipment
Environmental
Nanomaterials
Controlled goods or technology
Field work
Travel
Political unrest
Transgenic plants and animals
Animal use
Industrial processes and equipment
….
Plan
Act
Do
Check
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Health Canada regulates Human
Pathogens and Toxins
 Human Pathogens and Toxins Act
▪ Regulations to be Established
▪ Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines
 Medical Surveillance
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
regulates plant, animal and veterinary
use of biohazards
 Institutional “license” and individual
permit system
 Training
 Inspections
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The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulated
the use of nuclear materials
 Very stringent rules
 Regular audits/visits
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University Consolidated License
 Permits for individual users
Ministry of Labour regulates the use of lasers and xrays
 Health Canada regulates the use of
Radiofrequencies (Safety Code 6)
 Training
 Inspections
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Very broad range of issues including:
 Chemical safety (WHMIS, TDG, Inventories)
 Control of hazards
▪ Engineering controls – e.g. Fume hoods, biosafety cabinets
▪ Administrative controls – SOPs, instruction manuals, etc.
▪ Personal Protective Equipment
 Eye Wash Stations and Emergency Showers (ANSI
Standards)
The Ministry of Labour require compliance on safety
equipment, guarding, house keeping, inspections,
hazard identification, etc)
 Training
 Inspections
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Environment Canada/MOE:
 Environmental assessments
 Field trials with PNT materials
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The Ministry of the Environment :
 Environmental Compliance Approvals (air)
 Hazardous Waste
 Refrigerants, Solvents, Chemical Spills
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Municipal By-laws
 Sewer use, safety related building code issues
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E.g. Remote locations, ice surfaces, core
drilling, boating, diving, driving, tree
climbing, bears, mosquitoes,
mountaineering…
What are the hazards? What are the
controls?
What will you be doing? Where will you be
staying? How will you communicate?
Emergency plans? Approvals? Regulatory
considerations?....
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Controlled Goods regulations
Chemical Weapons
Export and Area Control lists
ITAR
EAR
University Resources
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Office of Research/Environmental Health and Safety
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Transgenic plants/animals
Controlled goods/technology
Agricultural Safety
Biosafety
Environmental Management
Facilities Safety and Occupational Hygiene
First Aid
Hazardous Materials Management
Industrial Safety
Injury/Incident Reporting and Prevention
Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety
Laboratory and Research Safety
Regulatory Compliance Liaison and Assistance
Insurance
Biohazards 
Radioisotopes
Lasers
X-rays
Supervising/TA
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Field work
Lab work 
Pesticide application 
First Aid
Lab Safety
TDG
Depart Smart
Grower Safety
Pesticide
Respirator fit
Competent
Supervisor/
Due Diligence
X-rays
Lasers
Radiation
Safety A & B
WHMIS
Biosafety
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Chemicals 
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Transportation of 
hazardous materials
International travel
http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/courses/index.cfm
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ehs@uoguelph.ca
www.uoguelph.ca/research/guelph-conduct-research
Sasha Alexander
Associate Director, Risk & Insurance
x58752
Domenico Barillari
Radiation Safety Officer
x54888
Christi Cooper
Agriculture & Veterinary Safety Officer
x52049
Jeff Dafoe
Facilities Safety Specialist
x52524
Annie Eleveld
Ergonomics Specialist
x56811
Martha Harley
Interim Director, AVP Human Resources
x53356
Chris McNeill
Manager, Facilities Safety & Occupational Hygiene
x58860
Jennifer Minogue
Biosafety Officer
x53190
Ben Pandher
Occupational Hygienist
x54855
Heather Sewell
Rehabilitation Specialist
x54283
Jennifer Wesley
Manager, Research Risk
x56401
Alicja Zachertowska
Laboratory Safety Officer
x54270
Regulatory environment in Canada and Ontario is
becoming more stringent
 Research funding agencies (Tri-Council) are also
putting the onus on institutions to “ensure”
compliance
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 E.g. Texas Tech/DHS
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University administration bare the responsibility for
reporting compliance and are accountable to the
regulators and the Board of Governors
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Many resources available for Health and
Safety Compliance and Risk Management:
 Office of Research
 Environmental Health and Safety/Occupational
Health and Wellness
▪ Insurance and Risk Management
 Physical Resources