Genetic Modification and Biological Safety Sub-Committee: terms of reference
Information regarding the Genetic Modification and Biological Safety Sub-Committee's responsibilities.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/governance-compliance/university-management-committeeOn this page
Purpose
The Genetic Modification and Biological Safety Sub-committee (GMBSSC) is a statutory committee, required under regulation 16 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations. It advises University Management Committee (UMC) through the UCL Work Health & Safety Committee (WHSC), on all matters relating to genetic modification work at UCL, on all work involving wild-type hazard group 2 and 3 organisms at UCL and all work with pathogens and toxins listed under schedule 5 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.
Organisation and meetings
- Meetings of the GMBSSC will be held quarterly (four times a year).
- The Chair must be a senior academic working in either the field of Genetically Modified Organisms or working at Containment Level 3 (CL3).
- The quorate is five members, one of whom must be the Chair or the Deputy Chair.
Duties and responsibilities
- Ensure UCL’s compliance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014::
- Regulation 8: "(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person responsible for contained use must obtain advice on a risk assessment from either (a) a person, or (b) a genetic modification safety committee, with expertise in risk assessment relating to contained use. (2) Where the risk assessment indicates that the contained use is classified as class 2 or above the advice must be obtained from a genetic modification safety committee.”
- Regulations 9-17: regarding the requirement to notify the HSE about working with certain materials including, class 3 or class 4, larger GMOs and what work is to be done including planed use of premises, and joint work.
- Control the HSE notification process for UCL through the Chair.
- Manage the risk assessment process for:
- Genetically Modified Organisms work.
- Hazard group 2 and 3 work.
- Work with Schedule 5 pathogens and toxins.
In the case of GM Class 1 activities from the Royal Free Hospital, any contribution from UCL in the project (personnel, funding or laboratory facilities) will require that it is recorded on riskNET and submitted to the department’s BAPR and then BSO for authorisation. Any doubt on classification will be shared with the GMBSSC for expert opinion. A copy of the RFH GM clinical trial risk assessment will be held on riskNET and the appropriate UCL riskNET template completed. Where sections of the UCL riskNET template are not relevant, such as location, they may be left incomplete.
- Review the standards, guidance and procedures relating to:
- Genetically Modified Organisms work.
- Hazard group 2 and 3 work.
- Work with Schedule 5 pathogens and toxins.
- Provide guidance to UCL including UCL Estates of the hazards such as refurbishment or repair work to laboratories used for:
- Genetically Modified Organisms work.
- Hazard Group 2 and 3 work.
- Work with Schedule 5 pathogens and toxins.
- Safety Services will:
- Provide training data for Principles and Practice of Biological Safety training when requested.
- Provide accident and incident data to UMC and WHSC.
- Report quarterly to the Chair on requested information (see KPIs).
- Draft a report each quarter for the Chair to consider for WHSC.
- The departments with support from professional services, will provide the following:
- The number of people currently working each quarter in Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories. Assurance and names are provided for audit.
- The number of monthly inspections completed and any non-conformities. Assurance and names are provided for audit.
- Current details for thorough examinations of safety critical equipment and review of examinations of safety critical plant provided by UCL Estates.
- Records of pre-planned maintenance, faults and repairs.
Changes to the designated containment level of the laboratories within their department. (formal procedure to follow for 2026).
Risk assessment numbers requiring high containment level.
Any other significant information.
- Ensure that a review of all relevant risk assessments is carried out by competent people in a timely manner.
- The Chair will:
Provide WHSC with a written report and summary of UCL biological activities each quarter. The report will be drafted from the minutes and proceedings of the committee by Safety Services for review and decision making by the Chair.
Last updated: Tuesday, August 8, 2023