Program Administration
Plan for Administrative Oversight
As a result of the changes put forth by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) including the implementation of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations, TRU has developed a Plan for Administrative Oversight for Pathogens and Toxins in a Research Setting. The purpose of the plan is to facilitate the development and support of internal accountability structures in order to mitigate any biological risks. This is the overarching document upon which the biosafety program is built.
Biosafety policy
The Biosafety Policy is one component of the plan. It establishes the Thompson Rivers University Biosafety Program to ensure that TRU upholds the highest standards and is in compliance with regulations as set out by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in accordance with the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) and the Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations (HPTR)
Biosafety Manual
The Laboratory Biosafety Manual was developed for individuals who handle or work in proximity to potentially infectious materials and toxins. It is based on the overarching risk assessment of the protocols in use at Thompson Rivers University.
The Biosafety Program falls under the portfolio of Risk and Saftey Services, which is responsible for Occupational Health and Safety including WorkSafe BC regulations and emergency management. This Biosafety Manual is based on the second editions of the Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS) [released in 2015], Canadian Biosafety Handbook (CBH [released in 2016]) by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The CBS covers work with human and terrestrial animal pathogens, toxins and prions.
Institutional Biosafety Committee terms of reference
The TRU Institutional Biosafety Committee (TRU IBSC) is mandated to fulfill the requirements associated with the regulations of the Public Health Agency of Canada and TRU’s Plan for Administrative Oversite to control and manage biosafety and biosecurity risks.
