The University of Queensland is committed to providing a safe workplace for all staff and students as well as visitors to the University. Biosafety is a part of the overall Occupational Health and Safety program at UQ and it is important that all staff and students appreciate the potential health risks in using chemicals and biohazardous materials in the workplace. The proper management of these hazards is a regulatory requirement.
Staff at all levels within the University of Queensland have specific responsibilities for ensuring OH&S. These responsibilities are principally based in the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and related legislation. The University of Queensland OH&S policy further reinforces these responsibilities. The specific OH&S responsibilities of staff is dependent on their role within the University. Teaching staff as well as research staff are required to know and abide by the requirements of both the OH&S legislation and relevant guidelines developed by the University.
Approvals required by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) for research and teaching
It is the responsibility of Chief Investigators to obtain appropriate biosafety approvals from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to commencement of the work, and to ensure that project staff and students are qualified, trained and appropriately supervised. All personnel working with biological material should be familiar with and comply with regulatory authorities and internal UQ requirements in this area. This information is provided at training sessions at TEDI throughout the year.
General OH&S at the University of Queensland
The OHS web site provides information such as the online risk assessment database, hazard alerts, guidelines and undergraduate and post graduate manuals.
Waste disposal at UQ is managed through Properties and Facilities (EMS).
Biosafety Training
Education Links
Useful Biosafety Sites
FAQs
Contact details: Biosafety Advisor: Jane Easson x51857 j.easson@uq.edu.au
Assistant Biosafety Advisor: Sue Marshall x51516 sue.marshall@uq.edu.au
Biosafety Approvals Advisor: Peter Leeton x69489 p.leeton@uq.edu.au
This webpage last revised: 21/07/09