• Section 1 - Purpose / Objectives
• Section 2 - Scope / Application
• Section 3 - Definitions
• Section 4 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Compliance
• Part B - Communication and Training
• Part C - Quality, Standards & Risk Management
• Section 5 - Delegations and Responsibilities
• Section 6 - Procedures
• Section 7 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose / Objectives

(1) This policy aims:

1. To provide a framework for the safety and security of all employees, contractors, volunteers and students when dealing with potentially hazardous biological material; and
2. To reinforce the University's commitment and capacity to managing the risk of unintentional release of, or human or animal exposure to:
   1. biological hazards;
   2. genetically modified organisms;
   3. biological material that is controlled, regulated or prohibited; and
   4. biologicals of security concern.

Section 2 - Scope / Application

(2) This policy applies across the University and to all University employees, students, contractors, visitors and volunteers who:

1. may handle or are potentially exposed to biological hazards;
2. work in or need to service facilities where biohazardous materials are used (including clinics, biological teaching and research laboratories, plant, insect and animal laboratories); and / or
3. supervise personnel who handle biological hazards or work in laboratories.

(3) This policy does not apply to:

1. the use of biological material that is not hazardous (e.g. plant and animal materials used in the preparation of food for human consumption; and biologicals used in standard clinical practice).

Section 3 - Definitions

(4) Biohazard: A biohazard is a potential source of harm caused by biological risk group agents or toxins. Biohazards, which may provoke infection, allergy or toxicity in humans, animals or plants include:

1. biological risk group agents (i.e. microorganisms; viruses, fungi & bacteria) as classified in AS 2243.3: Safety in Laboratories-Part 3 Microbiological Safety and Containment;
2. material that might be reasonably expected to contain biological risk group agents including:
   1. Human and animal tissues, bodily fluids and excreta
   2. Plants
   3. Insects
3. biological toxins and poisons;
4. prions (proteinacious infectious particles); and/or
5. emerging new biohazards not captured within the above definition.

(5) Biological Physical Containment: A system of confining microorganisms or other entities within a defined space.

(6) Dealing: A "dealing" with biologically hazardous material is defined as:

1. conducting experiments with;
2. making, developing, collecting, producing or manufacturing;
3. breeding;
4. propagating;
5. using in the course of manufacturing of something that is not a biosafety or biosecurity concern;
6. growing, raising or culturing;
7. importing or exporting;
8. transporting;
9. disposing of;

(7) and includes: the possession, supply or use of for the purposes of, or in the course of, a dealing mentioned in any of the paragraphs (a) to (i).

(8) Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL): goods and technology of biosecurity concern that may not be exported from Australia unless a permit has been granted.

(9) Genetically modified organism (GMO): organism in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.

(10) Security Sensitive Biological Agent (SSBA): biological agent outlined and regulated by the National Health Security Act.

Section 4 - Policy Statement

(11) All people working with biohazards at VU must be aware of, and comply with, the requirements of all relevant legislation or regulations governing dealings with biohazards. A list of regulatory requirements can be found on the governance website Governance Compliance Website .

(12) All staff must take an active role in creating safe work places and work practices by complying with University policies and procedures, taking responsibility for their own actions, and not putting themselves or others at risk.

(13) All those involved in activities with biologicals must ensure that biohazards are identified, together with planned actions to eliminate or, if this is not possible, mitigate the risks. The steps taken to identify biohazards and to eliminate risks must be recorded to establish credible data which enables measurement and improvement.

(14) All staff are expected to take an active role in creating safe work places and work practices by complying with University policies and procedures, taking responsibility for their own actions, and not putting themselves or others at risk.

Part A - Compliance

(15) VU expects all those working with Biologicals to:

1. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and University policy;
2. Ensure that all biosafety compliance requirements imposed by funding bodies that fund research are fulfilled;
3. Promote an organisational culture that adopts and implements biosafety and biosecurity compliance;
4. Ensure the management and reporting of emergencies and incidents to the relevant regulatory body (this is additional to the OHS process);
5. Ensure that all biological-associated permits, licenses and accreditations are obtained before work commences; and
6. Advise the Institutional Biosafety Committee about any issues that impact on compliance.

Part B - Communication and Training

(16) Where appropriate, VU will:

1. make biosafety a part of the organisational planning process;
2. make resourcing available to ensure biosafety standards;
3. implement processes that require appropriate approval and monitoring of all dealings with biological hazards including reporting acquisitions, maintenance of biological inventories and project approval;
4. run forums for consultation and communication on biosafety matters; and
5. provide appropriate biosafety induction, instruction, training and supervision.

Part C - Quality, Standards & Risk Management

(17) VU will seek to ensure that:

1. industry best practice for controlling identified hazards are taken into account and, as far as reasonably practicable, introduced into the planning and delivery of University activity;
2. work with biohazards is conducted in facilities that meet the relevant structural requirements in order to reduce the risk of unintentional infection or release of the agents;
3. work conducted in containment facilities meets the relevant behavioural and administrative requirements;
4. internal certification and inspection process for laboratories are implemented;
5. measurable objectives and targets to ensure continued improvement are established with the aim of:
   1. reducing and preventing Incidents;
   2. reducing and preventing Non-Compliance;
6. effective process for resolving biosafety issues and managing risks are maintained; and
7. appropriate reporting and recording mechanisms for incidents, emergencies and near-misses are established.

Section 5 - Delegations and Responsibilities

(18) Key responsibilities and accountabilities are outlined in the Biosafety Governance Procedure. (pending)

Section 6 - Procedures

(19) Procedures can be downloaded from the Policy Library :

1. Biosafety - Dealings Involving Risk Group Agents
2. Biosafety - Internal Certification of Containment Laboratories Procedure
3. Biosafety - Dealings Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Procedure
4. Biosafety - Import, Export, Transport and Packaging of Biological Material Procedure
5. Biosafety - Non-Compliance & Adverse Incidents Procedure
6. Biosafety Governance Procedure (pending)

Section 7 - Guidelines

(20) Nil