Biosafety inspections

Types of inspections

Principal Investigator/Self-inspection

This inspection is to be performed annually by the Principal Investigator or designate and documentation is to be maintained in the lab, as well as uploaded to EHSA via a permit amendment. Refer to the Biosafety Lab Self-Inspection Checklist (PDF).

Environmental Health and Safety inspection

The Biosafety Program Officer or designates are responsible for regular inspections of spaces using biological materials. A member of the biosafety program will contact you to confirm the inspection before we visit your lab, or you can request an inspection for your facility.

Inspections by external agencies

University labs can be inspected by external regulatory agencies. CL2-Regulated and CL3 spaces are specifically subjected to inspection by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Documentation

Documented records of regular lab safety inspection must be maintained and provided to inspectors on request.

To correct inspection violations/deficiencies, please follow the instructions below:

1. Login to the EHSA database using your username and password
   • You can also use the form in the link above to request access if required. 
2. Under the "INSPECTIONS" box, click Uncorrected Inspection Violations:
3. A list of the inspection violations will appear.
4. Click Select next to the violation to be corrected
5. A screen detailing the violation will appear as below:
6. On this screen, you can describe how the violation has been addressed in the response block, the date of correction, and who it was completed by. Click Save when completed or Cancel to return to the previous screen.
7. This will take you back to the screen in step 4 where remaining violations can be addressed following steps 4-6.
8. Once all the violations have been addressed, EHS will receive an email indicating you have completed responding to the inspection. We will contact you if we are in need of further information.