Chemical Safety Overview - Risk Management Services
Download
Report
Transcript Chemical Safety Overview - Risk Management Services
The Evolution of Research
Safety Committees
S U K E S H I M E H TA
C O O R D I N AT O R , C H E M I C A L S A F E T Y
O F F I C E O F R A D I AT I O N , C H E M I C A L
& BIOLOGICAL SAFETY
S M E H TA @ E M A I L . A R I Z O N A . E D U
520-626-6736
F R I D AY O C T O B E R 3 R D , 2 0 1 4
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?