Biosafety permits
Biosafety Permits play a critical role in ensuring the safe and compliant use of biological materials at the University of Manitoba.
These permits are essential for monitoring and managing activities involving biological agents, aligning the university's research and operations with municipal, provincial, and national safety and environmental regulations.
By requiring Biosafety Permits, the university maintains a comprehensive oversight system that promotes accountability, minimizes risks to health and safety, and safeguards the environment while supporting the integrity of research and teaching activities.
Overview
What is a biosafety permit?
A biosafety permit is an official document that records a researcher’s facilities, personnel, biological materials, and scope of research activities. An approved biosafety permit ensures compliance with all relevant regulatory agencies and is a prerequisite for the release of research funds from the Office of Research Services.
When is a biosafety permit needed?
A biosafety permit is required for any work involving live biological agents while they are being used, stored, or manipulated in a University of Manitoba (UM) facility. All work with biological agents is thoroughly reviewed to ensure that potential biohazards are properly assessed and managed.
A permit is no longer required when the biological agent has been rendered non-viable through sterilization (e.g., autoclaving), chemical fixation, or any other process, such as cell lysis, that eliminates its viability.
Where is a biosafety permit required?
Biosafety permits apply to all laboratories owned by the University of Manitoba, as well as laboratories where UM is contracted to provide safety services.
This includes:
- Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba
- Health Sciences Centre Research Foundation
- Kleysen Institute of Advanced Medicine (Health Sciences Centre)
Researchers working in external facilities, such as the St. Boniface Research Centre or the National Microbiology Laboratory, must also adhere to the University of Manitoba’s health and safety policies and procedures.
Who can hold a biosafety permit?
Faculty members who work with or store live biological agents on UM property are eligible to hold a biosafety permit. Support staff and students involved in work with live biological agents must be listed as authorized personnel on the permit.
Types of biosafety permits
Biosafety permits are classified based on the biological materials and procedures involved. Each classification has specific facility design, safety, and security requirements, as outlined in the Canadian Biosafety Standard and Handbook.
| Containment Level 1 | CL1 permits apply to work with Risk Group 1 biological materials, which pose minimal risk to individuals and the environment. These permits also cover work consistent with clinical services provided by healthcare practitioners. |
|---|---|
| Containment Level 2 (Unregulated) | CL2 permits are for work with biological samples that are not known to be pathogenic but may carry the risk of contamination with pathogens. Examples include cell lines, blood, and other body fluids. |
| Containment Level 2R (Regulated) | This permit applies to controlled activities involving direct work with Risk Group 2 pathogens or higher. In addition to meeting CL2 facility requirements, enhanced security measures must also be implemented. |
| Containment Level 2R and Risk Group 3 (Regulated) | This permit is issued for controlled activities involving a limited range of Risk Group 3 biological materials that can be safely handled within a CL2 containment facility, provided additional precautions and security measures are in place. |
| Containment Level 3 and 4 | Currently, Containment Level 3 and Level 4 facilities are not available at the University of Manitoba. |
Storage Permits
Storage permits allow for the storage of biological materials without the need for a full biosafety permit. However, this permit strictly prohibits any active work with the stored materials and cannot be used to release grant funds.
If you are considering stepping down your existing biosafety permit to a storage-only permit, please consult the Biosafety Policy and Procedure Statement: Biological Agent Storage Permits 2019 (PDF) or detailed guidelines and requirements.
Biosafety permit process and approvals
Applications
Initial biosafety permit applications are reviewed and approved by the Biosafety Committee during their monthly meetings. Once approved, permits can be amended to update relevant information as needed. Amendments are also required for the release of research funds from the Office of Research Services.
Amendments
After a biosafety permit has been approved, amendments can be submitted to update information, such as personnel, facilities, research activities, or new project additions.
- Most amendments can be approved on a weekly basis by the Biosafety Officers or the Biosafety Committee Chair.
- If the proposed amendment increases the level of risk associated with the permit, it must be reviewed and approved by the Biosafety Committee during its monthly meeting.
Terminating a permit
To terminate a biosafety permit, a Declaration of Decommissioning Form (PDF) must be completed and submit it to biosafety.program@umanitoba.ca.
Committee meeting schedules
The Biosafety Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month to review permit submissions. Please note that no meetings are scheduled for the months of July and December.
To be considered for committee review, submissions must be received by the first Thursday of each month no later than 4:30 PM Central Time.
Instructions for biosafety permit submissions
Permit-holders can log in to EHSA using your UMNetID credentials. If you are unable to log in with your UMNetID, please request access to EHSA.