Schedule overview
1 Purpose
To inform the biological approvals process for high risk biological materials and activities.
2 Scope
This schedule must be read in conjunction with the Biosafety Procedure and is subordinate to it. This schedule outlines the potential high-risk biological materials and activities that are monitored by the University of Southern Queensland Institutional Biosafety Committee.
3 Schedule
| Material or Organisms | Description |
| Risk Group 4 microorganisms | Risk Group 4 microorganisms that may produce life-threatening human or Animal disease, represent significant risk to laboratory workers and may be readily transmissible from one individual to another. Effective treatment and preventive measures are not usually available. Risk Group 4 species are defined by the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological safety and containment. |
| Risk Group 3 microorganisms | Risk Group 3 microorganisms that that may produce life-threatening human or Animal disease, represent a significant risk to laboratory workers and may be readily transmissible from one individual to another. It could present a limited to moderate risk if spread in the community or environment, but there are usually effective preventative measures or treatment available. Risk Group 3 species are defined by the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological safety and containment. |
| Risk Group 2 microorganisms requiring special precautions | Risk Group 2 microorganisms requiring special precautions are risk group 2 microorganisms that are transmissible by respiratory route or require special handling precautions. As indicated in the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological safety and containment. |
| Unscreened specimens | Unscreened specimens including human tissue known to contain microorganisms from risk group 2, 3 or 4, or have not been screened for infectious disease; Animal tissue or body fluids that could contain zoonosis or have not been screened for such. |
| Animals, tissues or fluids | Infectious or potentially infectious Animals, tissues or fluids (wild, domestic or international) involving microorganisms from risk group 2, 3 or 4. |
| Biological Toxins | Biological Toxins such as venoms and other toxic substances produced by microorganisms, Animals or plants. Includes poisonous or venomous Animals such as snakes, spiders and cone shells. Includes synthetic toxins or biologicals. |
| Security Sensitive Biological Materials | Security Sensitive Biological Materials (SSBA's) Tier 1 and Tier 2 agents as listed on the SSBA Regulatory Scheme. |
| DSGL Biological Materials | DSGL Biological Materials on the Defence Strategic Goods List (DSGL) 2019. |
| Other Risk Group 2 and Risk Group 1 microorganisms of concern | Other Risk Group 2 and Risk Group 1 microorganisms of concern, such as bacterial or fungal microorganisms used in Physical Containment 1 facilities where it is deemed by the Biosafety Advisor to require assessment and approval through the IBC in consideration of at least the following risk factors, but not limited to:
Potential contamination of existing Research projects |
| Prions | Prions, as indicated in (but not limited to) the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological safety and containment. |
| Plants, plant tissues or seeds | Plants, plant tissues or seeds requiring any form of permit or licence from any State or Federal Agency. |
4 References
Nil.
5 Schedule Information
| Accountable Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise Services) |
| Responsible Officer | Chief People Officer |
| Policy Type | University Procedure |
| Policy Suite | |
| Approved Date | 31/1/2024 |
| Effective Date | 31/1/2024 |
| Review Date | 31/3/2026 |
| Relevant Legislation | Biosecurity Regulation 2016 (Qld) Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (Cwlth) Defence Trade Controls Regulation 2013 (Cwlth) Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cwlth) Gene Technology Act 2016 (Qld) Gene Technology Regulations 2001 (Cwlth) National Health Security Act 2007 National Security Regulations 2018 |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | |
| Related forms, publications and websites | AS2243.3 Safety in Laboratories - Microbiological Safety and Containment |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| Any live non-human vertebrate (that is, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, encompassing domestic Animals, purpose-bred Animals, livestock, wildlife) and cephalopods....moreAny live non-human vertebrate (that is, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, encompassing domestic Animals, purpose-bred Animals, livestock, wildlife) and cephalopods. Research is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative....moreResearch is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. | |
| Definitions that relate to this schedule only | |
| Keywords | Biologicals, RG1, RG2, toxins, SSBA, RG1, RG2, biosafety |
| Record No | 21/48PL |