Environmental, Health & Safety:
514-848-2424, ext. 4877
Biosafety program

Biohazards are defined as biological material that may potentially be harmful to humans, animals or plants.
Biohazardous materials include:
- Microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria;
- Microbial toxins;
- Mammalian primary tissues, blood and body fluids;
- Cell lines and other tissue culture;
- Certain types of nucleic acids, such as DNA derived from pathogenic organisms, human oncogenes.
Prior to conducting any new studies involving biohazards, a Biohazard Permit Application must be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for review and approval. EHS must also be advised if there are any significant changes (e.g., change in biological materials or procedures) to a previously approved permit.
For assistance in determining the required level of containment, please contact Frédéric Guilhem at extension 7334 or Lorena Boju at extension 5008.
- Biosafety Policy (VPS-52) and related document: Biosafety Committee Terms of Reference.
- Biosafety Manual
EHS must be notified at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled transfer to ensure transfer compliance.
In case of an international transfer, EHS will prepare and provide necessary paperwork to be used by Canada Border Services Agency, to avoid seizure and/or destruction of the biological material.
For assistance with the transfer of biological materials from or to Concordia University, please consult this document.
1-Fill the transfer form and contact EHS.
2–Consult the additional guidelines for biological products shipments:
National shipments (Canada only)
- Procedure For National Shipments of Category B Infectious Substances (No DRY ICE)
- Shipping Biological Goods in Canada
- Shipping Biological Goods on DRY ICE in Canada
- Packing Instructions for Special Provision A180
- Ground Shipment on Dry ICE in Canada
International shipments
Concordia University’s Occupational Health Program allows for the prevention, early detection and monitoring of occupational illness and disease, and compliance with federal and provincial regulatory requirements.
The Occupational Health Program establishes the procedures for risk based medical surveillance. Risk based medical surveillance will apply to all faculty, staff and students, based on regulatory requirements or where an exposure or potential exposure to a risk has been identified. Please consult the Occupational Health Program Standard Operational Procedure for details, including roles and responsibilities.
The following medical surveillance programs are in place:
Occupational Health Screening Program for Work Involving Human Blood, Body Fluids or Tissues OHP-SOP-001
This program applies to all Members of the University Community participating in University Sanctioned Activities and who have been identified as having exposure or potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Occupational Health Screening Program for Work Involving Biological Materials OHP-SOP-002
This program applies to all Members of the University Community participating in University Sanctioned Activities and who have been identified as having exposure or potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Occupational Health Screening Program for Hearing Conservation OHP-SOP-003
This program applies to all Members of the University Community participating in University Sanctioned Activities and who have been identified as having exposure or potential exposure to noise that exceeds the 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 dBA, as determined by Environmental Health and Safety.
Occupational Health Screening Program for Respiratory Protection OHP-SOP-004
This program applies to all Members of the University Community participating in University Sanctioned Activities and who have been identified as having exposure or potential exposure to airborne contaminants that exceed legislated or concensus occupational exposure limits, as dertermined by Environmental Health and Safety.
If you have questions regarding either of these Medical Surveillance programs, please contact Frederic Guilhem Ducleon at 514-848-2424 ext. 7334 or the Occupational Health Program Coordinator Lorena Boju at 514-848-2424 ext. 5008.
Autoclaves:
Biosafety Safety Cabinets:
- Biological Safety Cabinet Certification Procedure
- Procedure for Safe Use of a Biological Safety Cabinet
Centrifuges
Mixing Apparatus
Vaccum systems:
Contact us


514-848-2807
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