Biohazard Utilization Protocols (BUP)

UPDATED January 2, 2013

As of January 1, 2013, the Biohazard Approval process is now replaced by the Biohazard Utilization Protocol.

Much like the previous biohazard approval process, an approved Biohazard Utilization Protocol (BUP) is required if you are planning to work with or import a potentially hazardous biological material in the laboratory. The approval process involves a review of the pathogens, procedures and physical facilities you plan to use.

Completing the Biohazard Utilization Forms (PDF and XLS) captures the necessary information for an informed review by the Presidential Biosafety Advisory Committee (PBAC). Principal Investigators must receive an approval from the PBAC before beginning work with biohazardous material.

PBAC meetings are held on the last Monday of every month. Submissions are sent out for review one week prior to the meeting, therefore please have your files submitted to the biosafety office before the second-to-last Monday of each month.

If you are unsure if your work requires biohazard approval, please contact the Biosafety Office as soon as possible to avoid administrative delays.

How do I know if my research project requires Biohazard Approval?

How do I know which biosafety level to choose?

The Biohazard Utilization Protocol is a one time-submission which requires amendments as needed and a yearly review. It is meant to:

maintain a digital biological inventory for each research laboratory at McMaster
simplify granting application processes
decrease administrative paperwork

BUP Electronic Forms

There are currently two BUP forms. The first is an Adobe PDF fillable form. The form is meant for SAVING the data typed into it. If you find that the data is not being saved, do not fill it in and contact the Biosafety Office.

** Mac users please use Adober Reader to fill in the forms, not Mac Preview. More information here, regarding this bug.

The second is an XML mapped Microsoft Excel file. Both need to be filled, saved and emailed back to the Biosafety Office.

BUP PDF - Main application form

BUP Inventory XLSX - biological inventory

What goes into my biological inventory? - guidance document

It is important that you include agents that you plan to use but do not yet possess.

Approval Process

Much like the current Biohazard Approval Process, the BUP forms will be submitted to the Presidential Biosafety Advisory Committee upon which point a risk assessment will be done to determine the containment level required for the agents and procedures.

Laboratory Checklists

Level 1 Laboratory Inspection Checklist - these requirements must be met within your level 1 laboratory.

Level 2 Laboratory Inspection Checklist - these requirements must be met within your level 2 laboratory.

Biosafety Training

One of the requirements for biohazard approval is that all of the workers AND the PI must have training associated with the containment level. The biosafety training pages are found here.

In addition, there is also TDG Training for sending or receiving biologicals that is required.

Principal investigators do not forget that you require additional training! The same quizzes can be found on either Biosafety Level 1 or Biosafety Level 2 pages.

Amendment Procedure

The same EMPTY forms can be used to add workers, collaborators, BSC, locations, inventory etc and submitted to the Biosafety Office via email.

If changes are to be made to existing data for example updates, errors or deletions please contact the Biosafety Office via email with the description of such changes.

Approval Documentation for Application Stage of Your Grant

For those researchers who have already completed the BUP process, protem approval for the purposes of grant applications may be requested via email. The information required in the email includes:

Name of Granting Agency
Title of Grant
Start and end dates of the grant
Summary of procedures involving the pathogens
Any proposed changes in your inventory
Any proposed changes in your techniques

McMaster University

Biosafety Office