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.

Policy & manual

Procedures & guidelines for transfer of biological material

Permit Application

Occupational Health Screening Programs

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

Occupational Health Screening Program for Work Involving Biological Materials OHP-SOP-002

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.