Biosafety Emergency Measures

1. Biosafety Emergency Measures

2. Understanding Biosafety Risk Management The concept of biosafety risk management encompasses a range of measures, policies and procedures for minimizing potential risks that biotechnology may pose to the environment and human health. Managing risks from accidental spills and other emergencies is a key part of biosafety risk management

3. Emergency Preparedness Prevention • Anticipate likely emergencies involving LMOs • Identify possible harm from emergencies involving LMOs • Identify and put in place measures to manage potential harm from emergencies involving LMOs

4. Emergency Preparedness Hazard awareness – What type of emergencies could arise? Accidental release of LMO most likely, unapproved intentional releases also should be considered. Possible location of emergency - In controlled area, during transport in sensitive location outside controlled area? Range of Sensitivity – possible location of accidental spill close to vulnerable populations of fragile ecosystems ?

5. Emergency Preparedness Preparation – high risk locations where emergency likely to occur (e.g. controlled area where LMOs are imported)should: develop emergency preparedness plan; develop clearly defined communications plan; undertake mock training exercises to test effectiveness of emergency preparedness and communications plan.

6. Emergency Measures Emergency Assessment – How much LMO was released? What type of LMO released? (e.g. viruses, plant or animal tissue, plant and animal cell lines; etc.) Is LMO harmful to human health or to the environment? Sensitivity of area where LMO released? Sensitivity of persons exposed to LMO? Can the spill be contained?

7. Emergency Measures Immediate Response Report to National Biosafety Authority (ECU); Ensure any personal responding to emergency have training and are adequately protected from harmful effects of spill;

8. Emergency Measures Immediate Response - continued Contain spill and secure area where spill occurred - Leak-proof containers are to be used for the storage of any LMO involved in the emergency; If necessary, render immediate medical assistance;

9. Emergency Measures Immediate Response - continued Complete Incident Report - Make record (photos, etc.) of emergency, extent of spill, and response measures taken; Determine the cause of the emergency; Safeguard any documentation or records pertaining to the accidental spill of LMOs and any emergency response;

10. Emergency Measures Immediate Response - continued Collaborate with National Biosafety Authority in managing risks from emergency, to: undertake clean-up; ensure decontamination of workers and site; ensure safe final disposal of any LMO contaminated by the emergency.

11. Emergency Measures Post Emergency Management - • Assumption of responsibility – who is legally responsible for LMO at time of emergency? • Assist National Biosafety Authority in any legal action that may result from LMO emergency. • Document lessons learned from responding to emergency and ensure emergency response plan is revised to address and deficiencies

12. QUESTIONS ?