VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #R012

1.4. Responsibilities

1. IEBC a. The IEBC will be appointed by the Provost, Dean and Executive Vice President. The committee will be comprised of the Institutional Biosafety Officer, the Chief of Operations, the Associate Dean for Biomedical Affairs and Research, a director or senior member of Research Administration, the Radiation Safety Officer and three clinical and three biomedical faculty members. b. Each member of the IEBC shall attend the regularly scheduled meetings and special meetings and report committee activities to the Institutional Biosafety Officer and/or Chief of Operations, and to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) if human subjects are involved. c. Members shall establish research and educational biosafety protocols. d. When requested, the IEBC shall review protocols regarding waste handling and handling of biohazardous materials presented by a principal investigator (PI) in a research project or educational program. Requests may come from the IRB (if human subjects are involved), the Office of Research Administration (ORA), or the appropriate research dean. e. Members shall assist the Institutional Biosafety Officer and Chief of Operations in reviewing findings when an investigation of reported infractions of the handling or disposal of biohazardous waste has been requested and performed by the Biosafety Officer and the Chief of Operations. f. Members shall inform the Provost, Dean and Executive Vice President of any findings to ensure proper follow-up measures and ensure corrective actions are implemented when unsafe conditions, practices, or equipment are reported or observed. g. The committee shall annually communicate to all employees and students that health and safety of persons in the workplace and environment are of the highest priority of the College. The committee will also communicate the policies and procedures to be followed. h. The Chief of Operations and the Institutional Biosafety Officer shall ensure that health and safety responsibilities are understood and carried out in the academic departments or administrative units. This includes assuring compliance with applicable state and federal health and safety rules, regulations, standards and procedures (Appendix A). The IEBC shall also be charged with the monitoring and implementation of programs designed to protect the health and safety of faculty, staff, students and visitors. i. The IEBC shall support measures such as training, use of protective devices and resources to control and prevent hazards. j. Members shall encourage prompt reporting of health and safety concerns. k. Members shall coordinate or conduct inspections to maintain safe and healthful conditions, and address any deficiencies that are identified. 2. Faculty, Staff and Students a. All College employees and students have specific responsibilities to comply with established health and safety policies, standards, rules, procedures and regulations. Compliance with these regulations is essential to create and maintain a healthy and safe environment at all College locations. b. Each PI has the primary responsibility to maintain a safe work environment within his or her jurisdiction, by monitoring and exercising control over their assigned areas. c. All supervisors (department chairs, faculty and other employees with direct oversight of College activities and employees or students) have specific responsibilities to provide for the health and safety of those supervised as to the appropriate handling of biomedical waste or hazardous materials.

VCOM Policies and Procedures Governing Environmental Health & Safety

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