Home of InterVac   International Vaccine Centre

Overview of Biosafety

"Containment Level (CL)" relates to the safety measures and equipment needed to isolate harmful biological agents within a facility. 

• Levels of containment range from the lowest level 1 to the highest at level 4.  The higher the level, the greater the precautions that must be taken to alleviate risk in the external environment.   

InterVac is designed and constructed as a Containment Level 3 facility with specially engineered building systems that ensure: 

• Exhaust air passes through high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that remove airborne particles prior to being exhausted.

• Waste from the facility is sterilized prior to disposal. 

Access to CL3 facilities must be highly restricted and controlled.  InterVac will have 24-hour security personnel on-site. 

Regulatory Requirements for CL3 Facilities

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have specific requirements for the design, construction and operation of CL3 facilties.

• CFIA oversees the use of animal pathogens as mandated by the Health of Animals Act.  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/bioe.shtml

• PHAC oversees the use of human pathogens, mandated under the Human Pathogens Importation Regulations under the Department of Health Act.   http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ols-bsl/containment/1-eng.php

Research in InterVac will involve human and animal pathogens, therefore CFIA and PHAC are jointly responsible for certifying InterVac.

InterVac is being built to exceed current Containment level 3 regulations.

Our Biosafety Officer

Biosafety Officer:  Tracey Thue

InterVac's Biosafety Program

InterVac's rigorous safety practices, state-of-the-art safety equipment and specially engineered building features will protect InterVac workers and the surrounding community from exposure to infectious agents.

Stringent protocols, described as standard operating procedures (SOPs),  will be in place for work in all areas of the InterVac facility.   Emergency response plans will be described and practiced routinely. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada will have approved all SOPs, to ensure they meet regulatory requirements, prior to implementation.

The InterVac Biosafety Officer will ensure personnel have completed training and are certified, prior to working in InterVac.  The Biosafety Officer also verifies work is conducted according to approved SOPs.

The Biosafety Officer reports directly to the Director, Dr. Andy Potter, and works closely with the U of S Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection Unit.   http://www.usask.ca/dhse/biosafety/index.php