For further information and Biosafety Forms, please visit the EHSO website:  http://umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/
    or the EHSO Biosafety Program Page:  http://umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/chembio_safety/biosafety.html
 

Overview

The Biological Safety Advisory Committee (BSAC) is implementing changes to the Biosafety Project Approval Certificate process to meet the requirements of the Tri-Council Agency’s Memorandum of Understanding, Schedule 13: Biosafety.  A Biosafety Project Approval Certificate was previously required for release of external grant and contract funds. At this time, the implementation is for Certificates for release of research grant and contract funds for biological agent owners working with Risk 1-3 biological agents and when requesting an Institutional Biological Safety Officer signature for CFIA and PHAC import permits.

The Project Approval Certificate form will soon be required for ALL Biosafety Permit holders, as reflected in the 2011 changes to the U of M Biosafety Procedure. For more information on the intent of the Biosafety Permit versus Project Approval Certificates, please refer to the Biosafety Program Overview and the letter and FAQ sheet from the Chair of the Biological Safety Advisory Committee.

A. For research conducted at University of Manitoba owned buildings:  
(e.g. Fort Garry and Bannatyne campus buildings) and Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology.

1.        A current U of M Biosafety Permit # is required before submitting your Project Approval Certificate form for review and approval. Any biological agents and project location information that you will be providing on your Project Approval Certificate form, should match the information you have listed in your Biosafety Permit. Changes to the permit information can be submitted on the EHSA Permit Application Questionnaire. Select the "Change Request" tab as the application type. 

2.        Complete the NEW 2012 Biosafety Project Approval Certificate Form (available on the EHSO website).   Ensure you attach a copy of your Research Summary and any other pertinent info as requested. 

3.        The BSAC is holding monthly meetings to review and approve the forms. The forms must reach the BSAC one week prior to the next BSAC meeting. Committee meeting dates are listed below. Applicants will be contacted shortly afterwards.

4.        Note: Any future major changes to your proposed project including procedures, location, or inventory will require that you submit a Project Approval Certificate Amendment form (available on the EHSO website) for review.

5.        Submit the NEW 2012 Biosafety Project Approval Certificate form as a hard-copy to:

              Biological Safety Advisory Committee
   C/O Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO)
   191 Frank Kennedy
   Fort Garry Campus              

B. For all other non-university building research facilities
(e.g. St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, NRC)

1.        Complete the OLD Biosafety Project Approval Certificate Form (available on the EHSO website). 

2.        In lieu of the Biosafety Permit # please provide a letter from the Safety Officer at your institute indicating that your project has met their requirements. The letter should include your project title, room number and building where the project will be carried out, and biosafety containment level of the project. 

3.        Dr. Peter Nickerson, Chair, Biological Safety Advisory Committee, ph: 789-3375 can be contacted for additional information on the appropriate alternate facility assurance document and signature.

4.        Submit the OLD Biosafety Project Approval Certificate form as a hard-copy to:     
                    Dr. Peter Nickerson 
                    Chair, Biological Safety Advisory Committee
                    A108 Chown Building