Biosafety Plan Template
Introduction
Under the University of Saskatchewan Biosafety Code of Practice, appropriate safety measures
must be put into place by biosafety permit holders to minimize health and safety risks from the
use, storage, and disposal of biohazardous material.
This template is intended to assist biosafety permit applicants and permit holders develop a
biosafety plan that is in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, the
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, and the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) containment standards for facilities.
A biosafety plan is required for all risk group (1, 2 and 3) organisms, biological materials, or
biohazardous materials.
The biosafety plan must be available to all authorized workers and should form part of their
health and safety training under the biosafety permit.
The biosafety plan should be reviewed regularly, and updated accordingly to reflect changes in
the work environment, new identified hazards, as well as changes to the biosafety permit.
General Instructions
Complete each section of the biosafety plan template. The biosafety plan should be
commensurate with risk group and containment level requirements for the organisms, biological
materials, or biohazardous materials to be used. The biosafety plan should address all
organism(s), biological materials and biohazardous materials under the biosafety permit. Do not
create a separate biosafety plan for each type of permitted material.
Refer to the resources included in each section of the template for further information and to
assist in the development of the biosafety plan. All procedures, documents, templates, and
forms referenced in this procedure are in italics, and can be found on the Safety Resources
website, http://safetyresources.usask.ca/.
Upon completion of each section of the biosafety plan, remove the instructions. Sample
biosafety plans are provided in Appendix A of this template. For assistance preparing a
biosafety plan, contact the Safety Consultant (Biosafety) at 966-8496 or the Safety Specialist at
966-8483.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
Biosafety Plan
Year
College/Unit/Department
Biosafety Permit Number:
Contents
1
Biosafety Permit Information ............................................................................................... 1
2
Nature of Research Work .................................................................................................... 2
3
Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................ 3
4
Work Locations ................................................................................................................... 6
5
Health and Safety Hazards ................................................................................................. 8
6
Health and Safety Control Measures..................................................................................10
7
Biosecurity .........................................................................................................................11
8
Hazardous Waste Disposal ................................................................................................13
9
Emergency Response ........................................................................................................14
9.1
Medical Incidents ........................................................................................................14
9.1.1
Medical Incidents Involving Exposure to a Biohazardous Material .......................14
9.1.2
Other Medical Incidents .......................................................................................15
9.2
Spills of Hazardous Material .......................................................................................16
9.2.1
Chemical Spills ....................................................................................................16
9.2.2
Biological Spills ....................................................................................................17
9.3
Safety Equipment Failure ............................................................................................18
9.4
Loss or Theft of Biohazardous Materials .....................................................................18
9.5
Power Outages ...........................................................................................................19
9.6
Fire .............................................................................................................................20
10
Training ..........................................................................................................................21
i
Revision History
Revisions to the biosafety plan are documented in Table 1, Revision History.
Table 1: Revision History
Document
Section
Details of Amendments
Date
Author
(Initials)
ii
1
Biosafety Permit Information
Biosafety Permit Number:
Biosafety Permit Issue Date:
Permit Holder Name:
Permit Holder Telephone Number:
Email:
Laboratory Contact Name:
Laboratory Contact Telephone Number:
Email:
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
Page 1 of 25
2
Nature of Research Work
Instructions:
Provide a description of the nature of the work that will be performed in the research protocol and under
your biosafety permit. Reference any relevant documents. Include relevant reference information in an
appendix of the biosafety plan.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
ENTER TEXT HERE….
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
Page 2 of 25
3
Risk Assessment
Instructions:
The critical step in developing a biosafety plan is to determine the risk group and containment level for the
organism, biological material or biohazardous material that is to be used. Listed below, are a number of
resources that provide risk group and containment level information for a wide range of organisms and
biohazardous materials. These resources are assessable on the Safety Resources website,
http://safetyresources.usask.ca/.
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Human Pathogens and Toxins Act,
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/regul/index-eng.php).
Pathogen Safety Data Sheets and Risk Assessment, PHAC,
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/index-eng.php).
Disease Agent Information, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/disemala/disemalae.shtml).
Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents, American Biological Safety Association,
(http://www.absa.org/riskgroups/index.html).
National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules,
National Institutes of Health (NIH),
(http://oba.od.nih.gov/oba/rac/Guidelines/APPENDIX_B.htm#_Toc7238342).
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control,
National Institutes of Health,
(http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL.pdf).
also maintains a database of organisms, biological materials and biohazardous materials that are, or
have been used at the university together with their identified risk group and containment level.
If the risk group and containment level of the organism, biological material or biohazardous material has
been determined by an external source(s) (e.g. PHAC, CFIA, NIH), reference the source and available
technical information.
If the organism, biological material or biohazardous material risk group and containment level is not
already determined, a biological risk group and containment level assessment must be performed. The
Biological Risk Group and Containment Level Assessment Template is to be used to determine the
appropriate risk group and corresponding containment level of each organism, biological material or
biohazardous material. Include a copy of each biological risk group and containment level assessment for
each permitted material as an appendix to the biosafety plan.
If the organism is a recombinant DNA (rDNA), a genetically modified microorganism(s), or a transgenic
organism(s), a biological risk group and containment level assessment must be conducted even if the risk
group has already been determined by an external source. Refer to the Biological Risk Group and
Containment Level Assessment Template for what sections to complete. Include a copy of each biological
risk group and containment level assessment for each permitted material as an appendix to the biosafety
plan.
Include or reference available technical information including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS),
technical data sheets and/or related journal articles for each organism, biological material or
biohazardous material.
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
Page 3 of 25
Prepare an inventory of the organisms, biological materials and biohazardous materials that will be used
under the biosafety permit (see Table 1).
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
Page 4 of 25
Table 1: Inventory of organisms, biological materials and biohazardous materials.
Name of Biological Material
Purpose or Use
Quantity/Concentration
Risk
Group*
(1, 2, 3)
Containment
Level*
(1, 2, 3)
References**
*The identified risk group and containment level as specified by external sources, or as determined from a biological risk and containment level assessment.
**Indicate the reference for the categorization of the risk group and containment level (e.g. risk assessment performed by researcher, PHAC, CFIA).
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
Page 5 of 25
4
Work Locations
Instructions:
Identify the locations where the organism(s), biological materials and biohazardous materials will be used
and stored. Include a description of the facility and safety equipment (e.g. biosafety cabinets, autoclaves)
that will be employed. Complete Table 2.
Work and storage locations must meet containment level requirements as determined from the risk
assessment information for each organism, biological material or biohazardous material. The following
resources provide details of facility design and operational requirements based on the identified
containment level.
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Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, PHAC,
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/blk-acb/lbg-ldmbl-eng.php).
Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/convet/convete.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plan Pests, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/plaveg/placone.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/aqu/csfncie.pdf).
Laboratory Biosafety Manual, World Health Organization,
(http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_2004_11/en/).
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control, National
Institutes of Health,
(http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL.pdf).
The Biosafety Manager is available to assist with ensuring facilities meet containment level standards.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
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Date
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Table 2: Biosafety permit work and storage locations.
Location
Purpose*
Nature of Work
Safety Equipment**
Type and Model
Serial Number
Containment
Level***
*Provide the purpose or use of the location which could include, work, diagnostic, decontamination, storage, etc..
**Safety equipment includes but is not limited to, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, hand washing sinks, emergency eyewash and shower equipment.
***Depending on the required containment level, there will be specific facility location, access, design and construction, air handling, containment perimeter,
laboratory services, and safety equipment. Refer to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines and Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) Containment Standards.
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5
Health and Safety Hazards
Instructions:
To determine health and safety risks, including risks of exposure to pathogens and toxins, one must
consider not only the types of biohazardous materials being used but also the proposed manipulations
and handling of these materials under the research protocol or activity.
For each organism, biological material or biohazardous material, or class of materials (with similar risk
characteristics), complete the following sections under Health and Safety Hazards.
1. Name of biological material, its risk group and required containment level.
2. Identify each procedure/technique that will be carried out under the permit. Include equipment
and tools that will be used.
3. Identify the exposure hazards (risk groups 2 and 3 only) and any other health and safety
hazards (e.g. chemical, radiological, physical) that exist for each procedure/technique.
Consider the key steps in each procedure/technique when identifying health and safety hazards.
The following procedures commonly used in the laboratory may create a risk of exposure to
organisms or biohazardous material.
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Phlebotomy techniques on humans or animals;
Injections into humans or animals using animal or human specimens;
Other use of needles with human or animals;
Handling human or animal tissue, including preparation, dissection, cutting;
Pipetting, mixing, or vortexing human or animal blood, fluid, or tissue;
Pipetting, mixing, or vortexing biohazardous material;
Centrifuging human or animal blood, fluid, tissue, organisms or biohazardous material;
Handling tubes or other container or human or animal blood, fluid, or tissue or
biohazardous material;
Preparing or handling human, animal or biohazardous material cell cultures;
Handling contaminated sharps or other contaminated waste; and
Cleaning spills of human or animal blood or other body fluids or biological hazardous
material.
4. Identify the possible diseases or adverse health effects associated with exposure to the organism
or biohazardous material (risk groups 2 and 3 only). Include the signs and symptoms of known
diseases.
5. Identify the exposure routes for the organism or biohazardous material (inhalation, ingestion, skin
contact, injection).
6. Provide a description of known allergies that could develop from working with the organism(s)
(risk groups 1, 2 and 3). Include symptoms of the allergies.
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Date
Page 8 of 22
Resources
Following are resources that provide information on biosafety.
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Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, PHAC,
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/blk-acb/lbg-ldmbl-eng.php).
Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/convet/convete.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plan Pests, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/plaveg/placone.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/aqu/csfncie.pdf).
Laboratory Biosafety Manual, World Health Organization,
(http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_2004_11/en/).
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control, National
Institutes of Health,
(http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL.pdf).
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
ENTER TEXT HERE….
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
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6
Health and Safety Control Measures
Instructions:
Describe the safety measures that are in place to protect workers from exposure to biohazards, or other
identified hazards. Safety measures should be commensurate with the identified hazards and may
include:
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Engineering controls (i.e. facility design, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, chemical storage);
Work procedures and rules;
Personal protective equipment (PPE);
Medical surveillance (medical examination, vaccinations if available and recommended, serum
screening);
In this section, also outline the methods and procedures to be used for the disinfection and
decontamination of work areas, equipment and materials.
Resources
Following are resources that provide information on biosafety.
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Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, PHAC,
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/blk-acb/lbg-ldmbl-eng.php).
Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/convet/convete.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plan Pests, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/plaveg/placone.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/aqu/csfncie.pdf).
Laboratory Biosafety Manual, World Health Organization,
(http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_2004_11/en/).
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control, National
Institutes of Health,
(http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL.pdf).
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
ENTER TEXT HERE….
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7
Biosecurity
Instructions:
The permit holder shall implement and maintain biosecurity measures commensurate with the identified
risk group and containment level of the biohazardous materials under the biosafety permit and legislative
requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Physical protection of the permitted facility to minimize unauthorized access to facilities,
laboratories and storage areas;
Personnel authorization and clearance of authorized workers to work in the facility; and
Inventory management of organisms, biological materials, and biohazardous materials used and
stored under the biosafety permit.
Incident reporting, response, and investigation into suspected criminal activity including the loss or
suspected theft of organisms, biological materials, or biohazardous materials is addressed under Section
10, Emergency Response.
In the section, provide a description of the biosecurity measures for the facility being permitted. The
minimum requirements for biosecurity for risk group 1 and 2 are:
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Controlled access to the facility. Doors to facilities should be kept closed at all times. Access
doors to the facility should be lockable.
Access to the facility should be limited to authorized workers. Visitors must be accompanied by
an authorized worker.
An up-to-date inventory of organisms, biological materials, and biohazardous materials used and
stored under the biosafety permit.
For the use of risk group 3 biohazardous materials, a biosecurity risk assessment is to be performed. The
assessment should include an examination of possible threats and vulnerabilities, and the
countermeasures or mitigation strategies specific to the facility. Contact the Biosafety Manager at 9668496 or the Biosafety Consultant at 966-8483 for more information and assistance.
Resources
Following are resources that provide information on biosecurity.
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Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, PHAC,
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/blk-acb/lbg-ldmbl-eng.php).
Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/convet/convete.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Plan Pests, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/plaveg/placone.pdf).
Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens, CFIA,
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/aqu/csfncie.pdf).
Laboratory Biosafety Manual, World Health Organization,
(http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_2004_11/en/).
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control, National
Institutes of Health,
Biosafety Plan
College/Unit/Department
Date
Page 11 of 22
(http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL.pdf).
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
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8
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous waste (biohazardous or other types) shall be collected and packaged in accordance
with the Hazardous Waste Disposal Manual and applicable legislation.
Instructions:
Provide a description of the disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous biological waste and other
hazardous waste (e.g. chemical, radiological) that may be generated during work activities under the
biosafety permit. The method of disposal for each type of hazardous waste (e.g. chemical disinfection,
autoclave, service provider) should be included in the description.
Biohazardous waste is to be collected and packaged in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Disposal
Manual.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
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9
Emergency Response
Instructions:
Provide a description of the measures to be taken in the event of an emergency. Procedures should be
developed to respond to the following types of incidents:
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Medical emergencies which include injuries and confirmed or suspected illness from exposure to
hazardous materials;
Spills of hazardous materials;
Containment equipment failures;
Loss or theft of hazardous materials;
Power outages;
Fire; or
Other types of incidents related to the work activities (e.g. an uncontrolled release to the
environment).
The following sections may be used as is or adjusted to suit specific requirements.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
9.1
Medical Incidents
9.1.1
Medical Incidents Involving Exposure to a Biohazardous Material
When an authorized worker has been or is believed to have been exposed to an organism or
biohazardous material, the following steps are to be followed by the individual exposed.
1. Remove any contaminated clothing and personal protective equipment.
2. Flush contaminated areas with soap and warm water. If eyes are exposed, flush eyes for
15 minutes using an emergency eyewash station.
If there is an open wound to the skin (cuts, punctures), encourage bleeding, flush area
with water, apply an antiseptic, and cover with gauze.
3. Notify the supervisor and the permit holder (if different from the supervisor).
4. If prescribed, seek professional medical attention immediately. Ensure to take any
applicable documents (e.g. Material Safety Data Sheets, technical documents) related to
the organism or biohazardous material exposed to.
5. Complete an incident report using the online incident reporting system (www.usask.ca/).
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Following are the supervisor’s responsibilities when an incident occurs.
1. Implement immediate corrective actions as required in response to the incident.
2. If the individual involved in the incident had to seek professional medical attention,
contact Health and Wellness to complete appropriate Saskatchewan Workers’
Compensation Board (WCB) forms.
3. The incident is to be reviewed by the supervisor and . Appropriate preventative
measures are to be developed, implemented, and communicated to staff to minimize the
recurrence a similar incident.
9.1.2
Other Medical Incidents
In the event of a medical incident, the following steps shall be followed.
1. Seek medical attention as required or deemed necessary.
2. Notify the supervisor and the permit holder (if different from the supervisor).
3. Complete an incident report using the online incident reporting system (www.usask.ca/).
In the event of a medical emergency,
1. Call for help (Campus Safety 5555 or 9-911).
2. Provide life saving first aid, if safe to do so.
3. Do not transport the victim.
Following are the supervisor’s responsibilities when an incident occurs.
1. Implement immediate corrective actions as required in response to the incident.
2. If the individual involved in the incident had to seek professional medical attention,
contact Health and Wellness to complete appropriate Saskatchewan Workers’
Compensation Board (WCB) forms.
3. The incident is to be reviewed by the supervisor and . Appropriate preventative
measures are to be developed, implemented, and communicated to staff to minimize the
recurrence a similar incident.
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9.2
Spills of Hazardous Material
9.2.1
Chemical Spills
A spill kit is located specify location(s) within your facility.
Emergency contact information is posted specify location(s) within your facility.
Only individuals trained in spill response shall respond to a spill.
In the event of a large spill, or if the spill jeopardizes the health and safety of any person, cordon
off the spill area, alert everyone in the area, and contact at 966-4700 (after hours 5555).
If you have been injured as a result of a spill, seek medical attention first before addressing the
spill.
Following are the general steps to be followed in response to a chemical spill:
1. Assess the spill. If you feel you are unable to deal with the spill yourself, seek help.
2. Cordon off the area around the spill. Alert everyone in the area that a spill has occurred.
3. Gather the spill kit. As necessary, refer to MSDS for the chemical(s) spilled.
4. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (specify required personal protective
equipment).
5. Apply an appropriate sorbent (absorbent/adsorbent) to the spill. It is important that the
sorbent match the chemical hazard and capture hazardous vapours if produced. Give
the sorbent sufficient time to work.
6. Using appropriate tools, gather the spilled material and sorbent, and place it in an
appropriate waste container. Always work from the outside of the spill area towards the
centre of the spill. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as necessary.
7. Label the waste container with its contents.
8. Decontaminate the spill area, equipment and tools used in the spill. Generally, the area
may be cleaned with soap and water.
9. Inform personnel in the area that the spill has been cleaned up.
10. Report the spill to your supervisor and complete an Incident Report on the website
(www.usask.ca/).
11. As necessary, restock the spill kit.
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9.2.2
Biological Spills
A spill kit is located specify location(s) within your facility.
Emergency contact information is posted specify location(s) within your facility.
Only individuals trained in spill response shall respond to a spill.
In the event of a large spill, or if the spill jeopardizes the health and safety of any person, cordon
off the spill area, alert everyone in the area, and contact at 966-4700 (after hours 5555).
If you have been injured as a result of a spill, seek medical attention first before addressing the
spill.
Following are the general steps to be followed in response to a spill involving organism,
biological materials or biohazardous materials:
1. Assess the spill. If you feel you are unable to deal with the spill yourself, seek help.
2. Cordon off the area around the spill. Alert everyone in the area that a spill has occurred.
3. Gather the spill kit. As necessary, refer to MSDS for the organism, biological materials or
biohazardous materials spilled.
4. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (specify required personal protective
equipment). If the biological material may be aerosolized, appropriate respiratory
protection may be required.
5. Gently cover the spill with paper towels.
6. Apply an appropriate disinfectant to the paper towel (list the disinfectant(s) and
concentrations that may be used). Apply the disinfectant from the edges to the centre of
the spill. Give the disinfectant sufficient time to work (specify the required contact time
prior to cleaning the spill area).
7. Using appropriate tools, gather the spilled material, and place it in an appropriate
biohazard waste container or autoclave bag. Always work from the outside of the spill
area towards the centre of the spill. Use forceps, tongs, or a broom to remove broken
glass and other items. Sharps should be place in an appropriate container. Repeat steps
6 and 7 as necessary.
8. Label the waste container with its contents.
9. Decontaminate the spill area, equipment and tools used in the spill. Generally, the area
may be cleaned with soap and water.
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10. Decontaminate (autoclave/chemical treatment) reusable clean-up items and other
reusable equipment.
11. Inform personnel in the area that the spill has been cleaned up.
12. Report the spill to your supervisor and complete an Incident Report on the website
(www.usask.ca/).
13. As necessary, restock the spill kit.
If a spill occurs in a biosafety cabinet, ensure to keep the biosafety cabinet running during the
spill cleanup. Ensure to wipe down all affected areas within the cabinet including the back and
side walls. Allow the biosafety cabinet to run for 10 minutes after the clean-up is complete
before resuming work in the cabinet.
If a spill occurs involving a centrifuge, turn off the centrifuge and do not open the lid for 20
minutes to allow aerosols to settle. Apply disinfectant to all contaminated surfaces. Remove
buckets and rotors to nearest biosafety cabinet for disinfection.
9.3
Safety Equipment Failure
The primary engineered safety equipment utilized when handling and manipulating
biohazardous materials is the biosafety cabinet. In the event that a biosafety cabinet is
suspected of not working properly, is alarming, or past certification date, work in the cabinet
should stop immediately.
Contact at 966-4700 for certification testing of all biosafety cabinets. Contact the Facilities
Management Division Work Control to schedule repairs or maintenance for the biosafety cabinet
(Phone: 966-4496, Facsimile: 966-8854, workcontrol.centre@usask.ca).
9.4
Loss or Theft of Biohazardous Materials
In the event that biohazardous materials under a biosafety permit are suspected of being lost or
stolen, the following steps shall be followed.
1. Verify the missing biohazardous materials against the inventory.
2. Attempt to locate the missing biohazardous materials.
3. If the materials cannot be located, immediately notify your supervisor and the permit
holder (if different).
4. Contact (966-4700). will determine if other agencies need to be notified.
5. Complete an Incident Report on the website (www.usask.ca/).
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An investigation shall be conducted for all biohazardous materials suspected of being lost or
stolen. The investigation shall include a review of all biosecurity measures in place under the
biosafety permit.
9.5
Power Outages
Instructions:
Procedures specific to the facility and the nature of the work being performed to safely address power
outages should be included in this section. Following is a general procedure for power outages.
If experimental animals are in use, special precautions may need to be taken to secure those areas such
as emergency power, alternate ventilation, etc..
Identify essential equipment in the facility/laboratory which requires emergency power. Contact the
Facilities Management Division Work Control to provide emergency power to equipment (Phone: 9664496, Facsimile: 966-8854, workcontrol.centre@usask.ca).
Although refrigerators and freezers will maintain their temperature for several hours if not opened, identify
an emergency source of dry ice if there are items that must be kept cold during extended power outages.
Dry ice should not be used in walk-in refrigerators or other confined areas because hazardous
concentrations of carbon dioxide will accumulate.
Ensure that no flammable chemicals are stored in domestic refrigerators and freezers. This may cause a
dangerous condition due to the generation of explosive or flammable vapours.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
All personnel should receive training on the steps to be followed in the event of a power outage.
Emergency contact information is posted specify location(s) within your facility.
All facilities are equipped with emergency lighting.
A log shall be maintained of equipment in the facility that must be reset, restarted or which
require special attention. Equipment that operates unattended should be programmed to shut
down safely and not restart when power returns. It is good practice to turn off all non-essential
equipment when not in use.
In the event of a power outage, the following steps shall be followed.
1. Immediately discontinue all work in fume hoods or biosafety cabinets.
2. Cap all open containers of volatile solutions, biological materials, and biohazardous
materials.
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3. Secure current experiment work according to specified procedures (specific procedures
to be followed relating to an experiment, if there is a power outage). Shut down
experiments that involve hazardous materials.
4. Turn off all non-essential equipment (e.g. centrifuges, stirrers, hotplates) to prevent
tripping breakers, blowing fuses, or damaging equipment when power is returned.
5. Turn off all gas cylinders at the tank valves.
6. Close all laboratory refrigerators and freezers and avoid opening them. Do not unplug
them.
7. If an emergency exists or if directed, evacuate the facility.
When the power returns to the facility, the following steps shall be followed.
1. Check for any strange odours or spills. Contact (966-4700).
2. Reset or restart equipment as necessary.
3. Check airflow in biosafety cabinets and fume hoods. Allow biosafety cabinets and fume
hoods to operate for at least 10 minutes before resuming work. If they appear not to be
functioning, contact Facilities Management Work Control (Phone: 966-4496, Facsimile:
966-8854, workcontrol.centre@usask.ca), or (966-4700).
4. Check refrigerators and freezers to ensure they are operating.
9.6
Fire
In the event of a fire, the following steps shall be followed.
1. Assess the severity of the fire. If you can do so safely, extinguish the fire using an
appropriate fire extinguisher.
2. Notify individuals in the area that a fire occurred. As necessary, evacuate the area.
3. Immediately report the fire to your supervisor, the permit holder (if different), and to
(966-4700).
4. Complete an Incident Report on the website (www.usask.ca/).
If you cannot safely extinguish the fire, pull the nearest fire alarm and evacuate the building in
accordance with building’s evacuation plan. Call 5555 for emergency assistance.
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10 Training
Instructions:
The following section may be used as provided. Include any additional training that may be required to
perform work activities.
Resources
courses may be registered for directly through its website, www.usask.ca/. Additional training may also
be required depending on the nature of the work being performed. Contact for further information on
training requirements and available courses.
Remove instructions upon completion of section.
Authorized workers listed under the biosafety permit must complete the following training
offered by :




Employee Safety Orientation;
Biosafety Course;
List other training that is required (e.g. Laboratory Safety, Workplace Hazardous
Materials Information System (WHMIS) );
……
Authorized workers shall receive site-specific training from the permit holder, or designate. Sitespecific training shall include information on identified hazards in the work environment and
what safety measures are to be followed to protect workers. Instruction should also include the
procedures to be followed in the event of an incident or an emergency.
All authorized workers must read and understand the biosafety plan prepared under the
biosafety permit.
An Authorized Worker Biosafety Training Record form shall be completed for each authorized
worker.
Records of all training are maintained by the permit holder.
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