D/6.6 QUT Institute Biosafety Committee

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QUT Institute Biosafety Committee is a Vice-Chancellor's committee established in accordance with Council Procedure 1 (Committees) , the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cwth) and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Qld).

QUT Institute Biosafety Committee is accountable to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) for all projects and teaching activities involving dealings with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (organisms that have been modified by gene technology, or offspring derived from such organisms, or anything declared as a GMO in the Gene Technology Regulations 2001) and biosafety materials (any substance which poses a risk in the form of a disease transmitted by air, tissue or by blood and body fluids from human and animal sources).

Terms of reference

QUT Institute Biosafety Committee ensures compliance with requirements such as those of the Handbook on the Regulation of Gene Technology in Australia and the QUT Code of Conduct for Research and specifically:

APPLICATIONS

• approves or makes recommendations on projects and teaching activities involving dealings with genetically modified organisms and biosafety materials and, when necessary, refers activities to the Gene Technology Regulator; and

• oversees the conduct of activities granted approval until their completion, to ensure continued compliance with relevant requirements, and may withdraw approval when necessary;

PHYSICAL CONTAINMENT FACILITIES AND PRACTICES

• conducts annual inspections of Physical Containment (PC) facilities and practices in accordance with the measures specified by the Australian Standards and the Gene Technology Regulator;

• recommends to the Gene Technology Regulator the certification of QUT PC2 level facilities that are used for dealings with genetically modified organisms, and coordinates the inspection and certification of QUT PC3 level (or above) facilities by the Gene Technology Regulator;

• considers the annual report of mechanical ventilation integrity of the biocontainment PC facilities from the Facilities Management Department; and

• participates in the decision making process to award a pathogenic waste contract;

MONITORING

• monitors the quarterly summary report of adverse events from laboratory, field or other work related to GMOs / biosafety;

• monitors the availability and uptake of all GMO / biosafety-specific education programs at QUT; and

• monitors and reviews GMO / biosafety risk management practices associated with teaching, research, consultancies, testing and partnerships;

POLICY AND PROCEDURE

• develops policy relating to dealings with genetically modified organisms and biosafety materials for recommendation to University Academic Board through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and University Research and Innovation Committee;

• advises the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) on dealings with genetically modified organisms and biosafety materials, including procedural matters;

• refers matters to University Human Research Ethics Committee, University Animal Ethics Committee, or University Health and Safety Committee as necessary.

The Research Ethics Coordinator maintains a register of proposed and approved dealings with genetically modified organisms and biosafety materials.

Membership

• One nominee of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) as Chair (this should be a person with appropriate research or other relevant experience)
• One microbiologist and/or geneticist, nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation)
• One biotechnologist with expertise in cell biology, nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation)
• One microbiologist and/or geneticist with expertise in plant biotechnology, nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation)
• One virologist, nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation)
• One member of staff from each of the faculties of Science, Health, and Built Environment and Engineering, with experience in projects and teaching activities involving biosafety materials (normally a Faculty Research Ethics Advisor and member of their faculty's research committee), nominated by the executive dean of faculty
• QUT Health and Safety Advisor (Chemical and Biosafety)
• One engineer with expertise in air handling, including biological safety cabinets, nominated by the Director, Facilities Management
• One nominee of the Director, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI)
• One nominee of University Health and Safety Committee
• One or more external scientists with relevant experience, nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation )
• One or more laypersons not associated with QUT, nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation)
• Research Ethics Coordinator ex officio (rights of audience and debate only)

A nominee of the Registrar is secretary.

Alternate members may be appointed in each membership category with full membership rights. Alternate members may attend a meeting when:

• the ordinary member is unable to attend a meeting; or
• a project from the ordinary member is scheduled to be considered at a meeting.

Deputy Chair

In addition to the usual duties of a deputy chair, the Deputy Chair of QUT Institute Biosafety Committee acts as Chair while applications or other matters involving the Chair are under consideration. The Deputy Chair also, in conjunction with the Chair, inspects PC2 level facilities.

Tenure and frequency of meetings

Terms of office are as detailed in section 3 of Council Procedure 1 (Committees).

QUT Institute Biosafety Committee meets as required (usually every two to three months).

Reporting

QUT Institute Biosafety Committee reports to Council at least annually, usually through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation), University Research and Innovation Committee and University Academic Board. The Committee also reports to University Health and Safety Committee as appropriate, and external bodies, such as the Gene Technology Regulator, as required.

Annual reports to Council should address numbers and types of activities considered for approval and the outcomes, risk management, any administrative or other difficulties being experienced, and any requirements for training staff.

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Related Documents

MOPP D/6.1 University research ethics

MOPP D/6.4 Biosafety assurance (including dealings with genetically modified organisms)

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Modification History

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