Risky Business - Managing the Risks in your Research Program Jennifer Wesley Manager, Research Risk University of Guelph

California Inspectors Fine UCLA Lab in Fatal Fire Student's death confirmed as continent's first fatal wolf attack Chemical leak at genetics lab kills one, injures four Woman in hospital after chemical-lab mishap Fumes from lab accident clear UQAM building Explosion blows professor through ceiling University of Chicago Microbiologist Infected From Possible Lab Accident USF grad student burns face in lab accident Prof dies in lab accident Researcher may have caught Ebola in lab accident Yale University Student Killed in Lab Machine Shop Accident University of Alberta researcher killed in ATV accident Students' Deaths in Colombia Cast a Pall Over Research Why lab safety? Do Accidents really happen? A Drop of Virus From a Monkey Kills a Researcher in 6 Weeks Cleveland State sued for lab electrocution Students injured in WRA lab fire settle suit for $18.9 million University student hurt in Lakehead lab explosion Damage estimated at $1.2 million in fire at U of Manitoba

Risk = severity x frequency What is risk? Risk -uncertainty about outcomes that can be positive or negative Risk management – the process of making and implementing decisions that will minimize the adverse effects of accidental losses on the organization Risk = severity x frequency

What’s on the line? Personnel Property Net income Liability Health and safety of you and your colleagues Property Liability Net income Personnel

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What Hazards? Chemical Biohazards Radiation General laboratory equipment Environmental Nanomaterials Controlled goods or technology Field work Travel Political unrest Transgenic plants and animals Animal use Industrial processes and equipment ….

Risk Management 101 Plan Do Check Act

Biohazards Health Canada regulates Human Pathogens and Toxins Human Pathogens and Toxins Act Regulations to be Established Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines Medical Surveillance The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulates plant, animal and veterinary use of biohazards Institutional “license” and individual permit system Training Inspections

Radiation The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulated the use of nuclear materials Very stringent rules Regular audits/visits University Consolidated License Permits for individual users Ministry of Labour regulates the use of lasers and x-rays Health Canada regulates the use of Radiofrequencies (Safety Code 6) Training Inspections

Laboratory Safety Very broad range of issues including: Chemical safety (WHMIS, TDG, Inventories) Control of hazards Engineering controls – e.g. Fume hoods, biosafety cabinets Administrative controls – SOPs, instruction manuals, etc. Personal Protective Equipment Eye Wash Stations and Emergency Showers (ANSI Standards) The Ministry of Labour require compliance on safety equipment, guarding, house keeping, inspections, hazard identification, etc) Training Inspections

Containment - inventory management – chemical inventory Labelling Spills of unknown…. Storage on shelves of incompatible material

Environmental Protection Environment Canada/MOE: Environmental assessments Field trials with PNT materials The Ministry of the Environment : Environmental Compliance Approvals (air) Hazardous Waste Refrigerants, Solvents, Chemical Spills Municipal By-laws Sewer use, safety related building code issues

Field work E.g. Remote locations, ice surfaces, core drilling, boating, diving, driving, tree climbing, bears, mosquitoes, mountaineering… What are the hazards? What are the controls? What will you be doing? Where will you be staying? How will you communicate? Emergency plans? Approvals? Regulatory considerations?....

Controlled Research and Technology Controlled Goods regulations Chemical Weapons Export and Area Control lists ITAR EAR

University Resources University Resources Office of Research /Environmental Health and Safety Transgenic plants/animals Controlled goods/technology Agricultural Safety Biosafety Environmental Management Facilities Safety and Occupational Hygiene First Aid Hazardous Materials Management Industrial Safety Injury/Incident Reporting and Prevention Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Laboratory and Research Safety Regulatory Compliance Liaison and Assistance Insurance

Competent Supervisor/ Due Diligence Respirator fit WHMIS Biosafety Radiation Safety A & B Lasers X-rays Competent Supervisor/ Due Diligence Respirator fit Grower Safety Pesticide Depart Smart TDG Lab Safety First Aid Chemicals   Biohazards Radioisotopes Supervising/TA Field work Lab work Pesticide application Transportation of hazardous materials International travel http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/courses/index.cfm

Resources ehs@uoguelph.ca www.uoguelph.ca/research/guelph-conduct-research Sasha Alexander Associate Director, Risk & Insurance x58752 Domenico Barillari Radiation Safety Officer x54888 Christi Cooper Agriculture & Veterinary Safety Officer x52049 Jeff Dafoe Facilities Safety Specialist x52524 Annie Eleveld Ergonomics Specialist x56811 Martha Harley Interim Director, AVP Human Resources x53356 Chris McNeill Manager, Facilities Safety & Occupational Hygiene x58860 Jennifer Minogue Biosafety Officer x53190 Ben Pandher Occupational Hygienist x54855 Heather Sewell Rehabilitation Specialist x54283 Jennifer Wesley Manager, Research Risk x56401 Alicja Zachertowska Laboratory Safety Officer x54270

Conclusion Regulatory environment in Canada and Ontario is becoming more stringent Research funding agencies (Tri-Council) are also putting the onus on institutions to “ensure” compliance E.g. Texas Tech/DHS University administration bare the responsibility for reporting compliance and are accountable to the regulators and the Board of Governors

Conclusion Many resources available for Health and Safety Compliance and Risk Management: Office of Research Environmental Health and Safety/Occupational Health and Wellness Insurance and Risk Management Physical Resources