Permit Application

Biosafety Permit Application

Researchers and lab instructors intending to work with biohazards (as defined in SFU policy R20.02) are required to submit a biosafety permit application and follow the application process. Each permit application allows the researcher/ instructor to identify the hazards and outline responsibilities of all staff involved with that project. Research Services will hold grant money until a valid permit is on file. Two SFU webforms provide internet access to the Biosafety Permit Application forms. There is a separate webform for the Research Permit Application and the Teaching Permit Application . The information below is also found on page 1 of the biosafety permit application webform.

Questions

Questions during or following the application may be directed to T.J. Aujla in Environmental Health and Safety, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V5A 1S6 (Tel. 778-782-3867, Fax. 778-782-5678, email: taa19@sfu.ca).

30 minutes per page on a webform

To protect your security, the webform only allows 30 minutes to enter your information. At any time, you can scroll to the end of the form and submit the information you have and then come back to the form later to complete a final version. Like email, the webform remains in your webform outbox. 

When to apply

A research permit may be applied for prior to applying for grants. A teaching permit must be applied for prior to the start of the course. Depending on the project, a Principal Investigator (PI) may also require permits for ethics, animal care, and radiation.

Who can apply

Only the PI may sign a research permit application form. Each project requires a separate permit but may include more than one location. Projects between two or more PI's require the permit application to be signed by the PI who has the authority to institute changes in the lab. 

The faculty member (lecturer) or lab instructor may sign the teaching permit application form.

A project (joint or otherwise) in which the research is conducted at another institution will require a copy of that institution's biosafety permit only and no SFU biosafety permit will be necessary.

SFU Definition of biohazard

Biohazards are defined as biological agents and materials which are potentially hazardous to humans, animals and other forms of life. They include known pathogens and infectious agents including bacteria and their plasmids and phages, viruses, fungi, mycoplasmas and parasites, cell lines, animal remains, and laboratory animals including insects which might harbor such infectious agents, and primate body fluids. Also included are potentially biohazardous organisms used in procedures such as recombinant DNA and genetic manipulations, and transgenic plant research.

Application Process

Once you submit the electronic form, it will be sent to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety for an initial assessment and then forwarded to the Biosafety Committee. A copy of the permit and cover letter will be sent to the PI/ lab instructor. If the Biosafety Committee deems that a permit is not required, the PI/ lab instructor will be notified. You may be contacted at any stage for further information.The PI is responsible for ensuring that all work involving biological hazards is conducted in accordance with applicable guidelines:

• Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, 3rd Ed. 2004; Public Health Agency of Canada
• Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, 1st Ed. July 1996; Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• SFU's Biosafety Policy and Procedures R20.02.
• National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules

Permit Duration

Unless noted on the permit, research permits are valid for four years and teaching permits are valid for four months. Any changes to permit information must be sent to the EHS office.

How to Update your Permit

1. Go to: http://webform.sfu.ca  and log in with your username and password.
2. Select "Out Box" on the left hand side of the page.
3. Click on the number next to your permit application ("ehs.biosafety").
4. Select "Revise" and proceed to update the form.
5. Select "Submit" on the final two pages to save the revision and/or submit the form.

Permit Applications Templates:

Research Permit

This is a copy of the biosafety research permit application to give you an indication of the type of information you will be expected to provide. Please use the on-line version above to submit your application.

Research Permit Application