Biosafety Policies & Procedures

Note:  If you require Western safety documents or other information in an alternative format, please use ASK HR to contact Human Resources.

Biohazardous Order Procedure 

This document outlines the procedure to follow when biohazardous agents are to be ordered.

Importation of Biohazardous Material

If you are importing human or terrestrial animal pathogens, you will need to contact the Biological Safety Officer (BSO), Courtney Voss at x88730.

Import permits from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are required for:

  • pathogens causing foreign animal and emerging animal diseases (i.e., pathogens that are not established in or indigenous to Canada);
  • animals, animal products and by-products, tissues, sera and blood that are infected with animal pathogens;
  • aquatic animal pathogens: and
  • plant pathogens

The Public Health Agency of Canada has determined that some organisms are non-pathogenic and do not require import permits from PHAC. See the non-pathogenic organisms list.

Get more information on Cedarlane orders of Level 2 Biohazards (or above)

Animal Allergen Exposure Reduction Policy

This policy applies to all people who enter or work in animal housing facilities.

Labelling Biohazard Waste

This Safety Alert outlines how to clearly label Biohazard waste containers.

Policy for those working with Lentivirus or Lentivirus-based Vectors

Workplace Health Policy for those working with Lentivirus or Lentivirus-based Vectors.

After Hours Exposure Emergency Care Protocols

Adeno-Associated Viral-Specific Policy Clarification

A chart that breaks down work with AAV into three containment levels to provide more clarity and avoid unnecessary procedures.

Biosafety Manual

Biosafety guidelines and procedures to follow in Containment Level 1 and 2 laboratories.

Research Utilizing Virus Vector Transduced Cells or Virus Infection of Animals

This policy applies to animal work involving viral vectors, such as Adenoviral vectors or Lentivirus vectors.

Procedures for the Effective Use of Biological Safety Cabinets

What every user needs to know about biological safety cabinets, including the certification process.

Human Blood and Body Fluids and Guidelines for Using Bleach

Information you will need if you work with human source materials.

Standard Operating Procedures for Autoclaving, Load Verification and Validation, and Autoclave Log Sheet

How to use autoclaves properly at Western, how to verify/validate waste loads using ampoules, and a logsheet for recording autoclave testing.

Guidelines for Using Sodium Hypochlorite as a Disinfectant for Biological Waste

Information on the application of the right concentration of bleach for disinfecting purposes.

Use of Human and Rodent Cells in Animals

Information you will need if you work with rodent or human primary or established cells and rodents.

Published on  and maintained in Cascade CMS.