VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #R012

d. All College employees and students shall comply with applicable environmental health and safety policies, standards, rules, regulations and procedures. These include safety-related signs, posters, warnings and written/oral directions when performing tasks. e. All College employees and students shall not perform any function or operation that is considered hazardous, or is known to be hazardous without proper instructions and authorization. f. All College employees and students shall only use equipment and materials approved or provided by the supervisor or instructor and for which instruction has been provided by this or other experience. g. All College employees and students shall become thoroughly knowledgeable about potential hazards associated with the work area; knowing where information on these hazards is maintained and how to use this information when needed. h. All College employees and students shall wear or use prescribed protective equipment. i. All College employees and students shall report all unsafe conditions, practices or equipment to the supervisor, instructor or safety officer whenever deficiencies are observed. 2.1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure safe handling, storage and disposal of potentially biohazardous materials, as defined below, used in College research or instructional projects. Compliance with the provisions of this policy will provide a safe working environment, as well as protect the people and facilities of the larger College community and the surrounding areas. The College has instituted an Institutional Environmental and Biosafety Committee (IEBC) to review and assist the employees in their compliance with federal regulations on the handling and disposal of biohazardous materials. 2.2. Applicability This policy applies to any research and instructional activities, sponsored and unsponsored, conducted under the auspices of the College. This policy is applicable to all College locations and to research conducted off-site by College personnel. College projects involving the use of biohazardous materials at other institutions shall receive IEBC (or equivalent committee) approval from the cooperating institution. Research projects that involve potentially hazardous or biologic waste must have approval by the Institutional Biosafety Officer. In cases where human subjects are involved, IEBC approval must be received prior to Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. In the case of clinical education and research performed at the clinical site, the biohazard policies of that institution will apply. If applicable, environmental health and safety approval from the cooperating institution must be granted prior to approval through the VCOM IRB. 2.3. Policy All College research and instructional activities involving biohazardous materials, as defined below, shall be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Officer according to policies established by the IEBC prior to the use of any such reagents or materials. Projects submitted for sponsorship by external agencies must be submitted for IEBC review prior to acceptance of funding. The IEBC is vested with the right and authority to monitor the use of biohazardous material as approved hereunder. 2.4. Responsibilities Supervisors (department chairs, faculty and other employees with direct oversight of College employees and students) shall ensure that all College research is conducted in compliance with this policy. Employees and students shall ensure that their activities comply with any and all safety policies and procedures mandated by this policy. 2. I NSTITUTIONAL E NVIRONMENTAL AND B IOSAFETY C OMMITTEE P OLICY & P ROCEDURES

VCOM Policies and Procedures Governing Environmental Health & Safety

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