CORE 3: Environmental Health and Biosafety Regulations and Requirements

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Core 3: Environmental Health and Biosafety Regulations and Requirements Abstract The Environmental Health and Biosafety Regulations and Requirements (EHBRR) Core includes three components: Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management, and Occupational Medicine. The Core is integrated with campus-wide services under the direction of the Office of Research Compliance (ORC). The role of the EHBRR Core at the NEIDL is to provide for and ensure the health, safety and preparedness of all personnel who work at and support the NEIDL's BSL4 facility, and in this manner all who work within the building. These responsibilities are carried out in a coordinated and collaborative manner starting with the initial application for NEIDL employment or assignment, and continuing throughout the duration of work in the NEIDL. The EHBRR Core includes the Chief Safety Officer, Responsible Official, Occupational Health Officer, and the BSL-4 Biosafety Officer. EHBRR, as part of the BU Office of Research Compliance utilities the expertise of the University Chemical Hygiene Officer, Chemical Safety Officer, Environmental Manager, Radiation Safety Officer, Chief Medical Physicist and others. EHBRR oversees the NEIDL Personnel Suitability and Reliability Program (PSRP) addressing initial and annual clearances and chairs the Personnel Suitability Review Team. Once individuals are cleared for entry into the NEIDL, EHBRR provides or coordinates initial and ongoing competency-based training including NEIDL orientation, lab safety, CPR, select agents, insider threat, agent/lab/equipment specific information and response to emergencies. EHBRR manages emergency response planning, exercises, after-action reports and correction action plans. The BSL-4 Biosafety Officer chairs the BSL-4 NEIDL Training Advisory Committee tasked with ensuring that those entering BSL-4 labs are prepared to do so. EHBRR coordinates, manages and documents inventory audits with the Laboratory Manager and the Principal Investigator and conducts follow up investigations and reporting if necessary. The core is responsible for all aspects of safety within the BSL-4 laboratories including the testing and verification of biocontainment systems in coordination with the Facilities Core, the decontamination of equipment and space and the management of certifications. EHBRR does so using contracted services when unable to do so directly. EHBRR manages compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Surveillance (CDC) Select Agent Program and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) BSL-4 Laboratory Regulations. These responsibilities include registration/permitting activities, maintenance of records and oversight of administrative actions required to maintain compliance. EHBRR coordinates closely with Principal Investigators on proposed work plans prior to submission to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).