Welcome to the
Office of Laboratory Security

The Office of Laboratory Security has the following functions:

Biosafety Division
	develop and apply national biosafety policies and guidelines
	assess permit applications for importation of human pathogens
	issue permits for importation of human pathogens
	certify level 3 and 4 containment facilities
	offer consultative services to microbiological laboratories
	act as a resource centre by providing training services and information
	act as a WHO collaborating centre

Emergency and Bioterrorism Response Division
	develop polices, procedures and guidelines for biosafety emergencies, threat reduction initiatives and biological proliferation prevention programs
	control and track the use of dangerous pathogens in Canada
	monitor the accidental release of biological materials from certified and non-certified facilities and the instances of laboratory-acquired infections
	effect the Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) for national transportation emergencies involving Risk Group 4 human pathogens
	effect a national plan for 24/7 on-scene responses to suspicious packages and other bioterrorism events

Laboratory Safety Division
	general responsibility for developing and managing safety programs for all of the PHAC's laboratories
	manage PHAC's consolidated license for the handling of radioactive materials in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
	develop and manage PHAC's transportation of dangerous goods program for compliance to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations (TDG)
	plan, develop and administer safety programs for PHAC's laboratories, including WHMIS, safe handling of hazardous substances, fire safety and occupational health and safety

WHO Collaborating Centre in Biosafety Technology and Consultive Services

Publications
		Now Available Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines: 3rd Edition - 2004
		Guidelines for Biomedical Facilities using Sheep as Research Animals
		Material Safety Data Sheets
		Quarterly Biosafety Listings (1996-2002)
		Health Canada Offers Certification Guidelines  - Article Reprint from Tradline Inc.

Training
		Containment Level 3 Facilities: Design and Operation
		Biosafety Film Loan Request

Biosafety Advisories
		Biosafety Advisory - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Interim Guidelines (March 10, 2004)
		Biosafety Advisory - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Interim Guidelines (March 25, 2003)
		Validation of National Inventory for Wild Poliovirus - identifying non-responding institutions
		Biosafety Advisory - West Nile Virus (June 2001, Revised June 2003) Public Health Agency of Canada's West Nile Virus Surveillance Information site For further information on where to submit specimens for testing, please contact the office located in your province/territory by accessing the link to the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre

Importation of Human Pathogens
		What You Should Know About Importing Human Pathogens into Canada - 2004 PDF Version Organism List Completing the "Application for Permit to Import Human Pathogen(s)" Download : Application for permit to import human pathogen(s) (93 KB) Note: When printing this document use Legal size (8.5"x14") paper

Human Pathogens Importation Regulations (Department of Justice)
Importation of Animal Pathogens (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
Biosafety Resources
		ABSA Canada
		ABSA (American Biological Safety Association)
		A-PBA ( Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association)
		Biohazard Containment and Safety Group, CFIA
		EBSA (European Biosafety Association)
		International Veterinary Biosafety Group

[Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response]