°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Support and Oversight
Biological agents are one of the key hazards managed by °×С½ãÂÛ̳’s Safety Management System.
Work with biological agents isÌýaÌýsignificant risk for departments and is one of the one of five major hazards at °×С½ãÂÛ̳. 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), °×С½ãÂÛ̳ 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 °×С½ãÂÛ̳ 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 °×С½ãÂÛ̳
- trainingÌýe.g. Principle and Practice of Biosafety Training, Prinicples of laboratory safety at °×С½ãÂÛ̳
- 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 °×С½ãÂÛ̳.ÌýÌý
- provides legal updates to GMBSSC
- author the standards and °×С½ãÂÛ̳-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 °×С½ãÂÛ̳ 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 °×С½ãÂÛ̳ equipment for both proactive and reactive activity
ensuringÌýthat departmental managed assets are maintained and repaired when necessary
Last updated: Monday, January 16, 2023