Administration Policy and Procedure

44.107: Biohazards

Status:
Approved on May 28, 2009 Signatures and dates
on archival copy

Effective:
when approved

Initiated by:
Joe Adams
Director of Environmental Health and Safety

Endorsed by:

The Ohio University
Executive Staff
Kathy Krendl
Executive Vice President and Provost

Approved by:
Roderick J. McDavis
President

Date of Approval
Following Last Full Review:
January 6, 2004

Purpose

This policy:

standardizes procedures for the safe handling, containment, and disposal of biohazardous agents;
complies with all applicable governmental regulations and required guidelines; and
ensures, as much as possible, a safe and healthful workplace and campus environment.

Plan

All persons intending to conduct research or otherwise use biohazard agents (as defined in the Ohio University Biosafety Manual) on campus or in University-sponsored, -funded, or -sanctioned activities on or off campus will comply with all applicable regulations and guidelines. The Biosafety Program is administered by the Ohio University Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), in conjunction with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The IBC is appointed by the Vice President for Research, in accordance with the Ohio University Biosafety Manual, Appendix E, SOP #98-01; the IBC reports to the Vice President for Research. The Biosafety Officer (BSO) in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety coordinates the Biosafety Program and the activities of the IBC for Ohio University. The Biosafety Program is documented in the online Biosafety Manual, which is available online from http://www.ohio.edu/ehs/biosafety/. This policy covers all university units and grant-funded or commercial operations conducted on university property or using university services.

Policies and Procedures

All persons intending to use the listed materials (as defined in the Ohio University Biosafety manual) for research, teaching or related purposes on or off campus, must register their material with the Biosafety Officer. They must also receive the approval of the IBC prior to beginning the work, if the proposed work involves materials at or above Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2). A risk assessment will be conducted by the principal investigator, and information submitted to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), in the form prescribed by the committee, dealing with the laboratory facilities, clinical or field protocols and procedures, containment methods, emergency procedures, waste disposal, occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance, and other information as required. Approval of the IBC will be in writing for experiments or uses at or above BSL2.

All persons engaged in biohazard agent work will comply with applicable guidelines: the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules, and the Guidelines of the CDC Office of Safety and Health. They will also comply with applicable guidelines and regulations from:

the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the National Cancer Institute,
the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,
the U. S. Department of Transportation,
the Ohio EPA,
the Ohio Department of Health (ODH),
the Ohio Division of Industrial Relations/Public Employees Risk Reduction Program, and
the U. S. Postal Service.

All persons will comply with applicable requirements of the IBC and Ohio University, including policies and standard operating procedures of the Ohio University Biosafety Program. For information, contact the Ohio University Biosafety Officer or the Chair of the IBC.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

President
Executive Vice President and Provost
Executive Staff
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College
Associate Deans for Research Committee
Assistant Vice President for Safety and Risk Management
Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Director of Research Compliance
Policy and Procedure Review Committee

Forms

The following form is specific to this policy:

The IBC Proposal Review Form is available online from http://www.ohiou.edu/ehs/general/forms.htm#research.

Dick Piccard revised this file (http://www.ohio.edu/policy/44-107.html) on November 3, 2009.

Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-1000
policy@ohio.edu Copyright © 2009 Ohio University.
All Rights Reserved.

Status:	Approved on May 28, 2009	Signatures and dates on archival copy
Effective:	when approved
Initiated by:	Joe Adams Director of Environmental Health and Safety
Endorsed by: The Ohio University Executive Staff	Kathy Krendl Executive Vice President and Provost
Approved by:	Roderick J. McDavis President
Date of Approval Following Last Full Review:	January 6, 2004