| The Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety (CRIFS) Containment Level 3 (CL3) Facility is the first permanent CL3 laboratory to be built at the University of Guelph. This facility is to provide CRIFS researchers and campus associates the means to work with indigenous Risk Group 3 (RG3) infectious materials within a safe and highly controlled environment. In Canada, the construction, commissioning and operation of containment facilities are mandated and monitored by two federal regulating agencies, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Success in managing a Containment Level 3 Facility, especially one where the intended function has not been restricted to a particular type or group of Risk Group 3 agents, demands that extraordinary provisions be in place to ensure compliance with the current standards and regulations. Therefore, it has been necessary to develop effective criteria focusing on policy, standards, procedures and training programs not only for potential users and support staff but also for the University of Guelph Biosafety Program to clearly demonstrate the responsibilities of CRIFS, Physical Resources - Operations and Maintenance, and the University Administration (Biosafety Officer, EH&S, Campus Security Services). |
