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?