Draft RS06: Biosafety replaces VIU policy 31.04 Biosafety and its associated procedure.
The purpose of this policy is to protect employees, students, the community, and the environment from the risks which may arise in the handling of biohazardous agents, by ensuring that the elements of the biosafety program are implemented prior to work being conducted with biohazardous agents.
Consultation on the draft policy is now open and members of the VIU community are invited to share their feedback. The consultation runs from December 16, 2024 until 4 pm on January 24, 2025. Input received during the community consultation will help inform changes to the proposed policy. Any feedback or submissions received after the consultation period concludes may not be reflected in the revised policy or in the consultation summary report.
The institution is required to follow applicable laws and standards related to the handling of biohazardous materials. A Board of Governors-level policy manages risk for the institution.
VIU’s existing policy was adapted into the new template, with new sections added where required. The associated procedures were removed from the policy. The procedures will become part of the Terms of Reference/procedures for the Institutional Biosafety Committee. They were de-coupled from the policy to allow the procedures to be more easily updated as requirements change, and because they are highly operational in nature.
Table of Concordance: Policy
| Section – New Policy |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Purpose |
Taken from the existing “Institutional Commitment to Biosafety and Biosecurity” Section |
|
Scope and Application |
New, based on comparators |
|
Policy |
|
|
Considerations |
New |
|
Roles and Responsibilities |
|
|
Reporting |
New |
|
Review |
New, added to reflect shorter initial review so that research policies do not all renew the same year |
|
Related Documents |
Takes the legislation listed in “Institutional Commitment to Biosafety and Biosecurity” as well as the documents listed in the “Related Policies” section of the current policy |
|
Revision History |
New |
|
Appendix A: Definitions |
Taken from existing procedure |
Removed
- Provost & VP, Academic under “Executive Responsibility:” In the original policy, the AVP, Research and Graduate Studies is listed under “Administrative Responsibility” and the Provost under “Executive Responsible.” As the scope of the policy is beyond research and teaching, covering “research, teaching, operations, or community service,” the “Executive Responsibility” was given to the President. The AVP, Research and Graduate Studies remains the “Policy Owner.”
- “Penalties for Violation of Policy:” Some content was removed as it is covered in the “Roles and Responsibilities” of the Biosafety Officer and is more process-oriented.
Share your input
Once you have reviewed the policy, please share your feedback in one of the following ways:
- By taking this short survey
- By sending an email to: Policy@viu.ca
- By writing to:
Policy Office
Office of the General Counsel and University Secretary
Nanaimo Campus
Building: 305, Room: 432
Mail drop: 305-4A
Feedback provided will be anonymized in all reporting.
Formal submissions
Formal submissions from groups or organizations can be submitted by email to Policy@viu.ca or in writing (see above). Please state the name of your group and the position of the person submitting the feedback. These submissions will not be anonymized and feedback will be attributed in reporting.
Thank you for participating!
Once consultation is complete, this policy will go through the Board of Governors approval process. The policy may be updated based on the feedback received. The Policy Office may also make minor changes to formatting/wording for consistency. Consultation feedback and policy changes will be outlined in the consultation report. The consultation report will be provided to the Board of Governors and posted on this policy page.
We anticipate this draft policy will be provided to the March 31, 2025 Board of Governors meeting for approval. Check back on the RS06: Biosafety policy page for updates as this policy moves through the policy approval process.