SUKESHI MEHTA COORDINATOR, CHEMICAL SAFETY OFFICE OF RADIATION, CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL SAFETY FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 RD, 2014 The Evolution of Research Safety Committees

Purpose of a Research Safety Committee Required or recommended by a regulatory agency  Specific requirements dictated by the regulatory authority Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency National Institutes of Health Occupational Safety and Health Administration Universal purpose:  Oversight  Direction  Expertise

Traditional Committee Model Committee members or a part-time staff member organize:  Agendas  Protocols for review  Supporting information Regular meetings held to complete the following for hazardous material protocols:  Distribution  Review  Discussion  Approval

Common Committee Pitfalls Lack of support Membership determined by university status Conflict of interest and a lack of recusals Committee control by a single discipline Loss of focus on the committee’s true purpose Disorganization of material presented to the committee

Administrative Support Support from the Senior Vice President for Research  Maintained through inclusion on key topics Dedicated Committee Support staff at the ORCBS  Organization of agenda and supporting information  Quality control review of protocols before committee review Technical support staff at the ORCBS  Remain current on requirements and recommendations to report to committee  Review of protocols to pre-empt common committee questions ORCBS = Office of Radiation, Chemical & Biological Safety

Member Selection Identify representative areas of research Select one respected individual from each research area  Productive, strong, willing members  Existing members not related to a required area of research were dismissed  Inclusion of community members for some committees Appropriate committee chair elected  Maintains the focus of committee discussions  Keeps the committee on task  Ensures quality of protocols before approval

Conflict of Interest Implement a recusal program New membership selection:  No one discipline has committee control  Members are comfortable questioning protocols regardless of source  Member and Chair appointments/election All protocols are reviewed without bias  Including those of committee members

Agenda Organization Make it easy for members to attend meetings  Compile and organize all information for committee meetings  Remove assumptions, report organized facts  Provide lunch Full agenda and supporting information sent to committee 1 week before meetings  Less time spent on review and administrative work during meetings  Committee members can simply bring their expertise

Current UofA Research Safety Committees

Research Safety Committee Development Laboratory Chemical Safety Committee  Program structure in development  Though not a regulatory requirement, will help create a sustainable Laboratory Chemical Safety Program  Will be modeled after existing research safety committees

Laboratory Chemical Safety Program Development Assessment of research community needs Input and support from influential departments and individuals within the University community  Receive assistance from the users

Laboratory Chemical Safety Program Development Development of necessary program framework and database functions  Inventory tracking & Safety Data Sheet availability  Room posting & container label generator  In-person training with online homework implementation and documentation

Current Program Review Structure Program development overseen by the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer Utilizing input from safety-focused entities in the following departments  Chemistry & Biochemistry  Chemical & Environmental Engineering  Risk Management Services  University Research & Instrumentation Center

Collaboration Success Collaboration with department safety committees has already lead to improvements in lab safety policy  Implementation of an audit program  Sharing of relevant knowledge and standards  Lab coat replacement to 100% cotton for students  Reporting and follow-up structure for spills and non-compliance

Laboratory Chemical Safety Committee Implementation Existing relationships between ORCBS and UofA departments will be maintained and fostered within the committee The Laboratory Chemical Safety Committee will provide:  Oversight for the Laboratory Chemical Safety Program  Direction for Laboratory Chemical Safety Program policies  Expertise in reviewing hazardous chemical use in UofA laboratories ORCBS = Office of Radiation, Chemical & Biological Safety

Laboratory Chemical Safety Committee Obstacles Committee member balance between expertise and effectiveness Restructuring of a laboratory safety culture Large influx of plans to review for existing labs  Committee focus will be challenged  High frequency of committee meetings

Any Questions?