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Apply in advance for required authorizations. |
PIs must obtain authorization before beginning research using biohazardous materials, radioactive materials, controlled substances, lasers, Select Agents, human gene transfer clinical trials, human subjects, or animal subjects.
- Read Research Safety Authorizations for Principal Investigators for a list of required authorizations and how to initiate application procedures.
- Allow for application processing time. Apply well in advance of establishing your lab. Approvals take 1 to 2 months on average.
- Contact Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), (858) 534-3660, if you have questions.
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Understand the PI's role in UCSD's workplace safety policy. |
UCSD endeavors to conduct research and instruction in compliance with university policy, granting agency requirements, and federal, state, and local government regulations.
- PIs are responsible for:
- Implementing health, safety, and environmental management programs in their workplace
- Understanding the hazards that exist in their labs and workplaces
- Creating and monitoring programs to ensure the safety of lab workers
- Completing and keeping all required safety-related documentation
- Schedule a New PI Orientation by EH&S Research Safety specialists. A customized training session will inform you about the regulatory requirements associated with your research and the resources in place to assist you.
- Contact Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-5366 or 534-3660, to request New PI Orientation.
- Laboratory safety audits: UCSD laboratories are audited for safety and compliance twice a year by EH&S Research Assistance Program specialists.
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Arrange animal imports and acquisition through the Animal Care Program. |
UCSD's Animal Care Program requires information in advance about animals to be imported from other research institutions to assure adherence to UCSD animal health and regulatory requirements. Most animals, especially rodents, imported into UCSD require a quarantine period or rederivation prior to entering a UCSD vivarium. Advanced planning is essential to ensure adequate space and equipment are available for the animals once they arrive.
- Contact the Animal Care Program, (858) 534-4262, to arrange an operational meeting to discuss your research needs before beginning a move to UCSD.
- Read about the animal acquisitions process on the Animal Care Program Web site.
- For assistance with animal imports and acquisitions, contact the Animal Transfer Coordinator, (858) 822-0083.
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Assign an Area Safety Coordinator. |
If you are a principal investigator of an area where hazardous materials are handled, you must designate an Area Safety Coordinator (ASC) or act in that capacity yourself.
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Find research safety resources online. |
- Research safety: Use Blink for environment, health, and safety online resources.
- Use the Blink search box (under the Blink logo in the upper left corner) to find information fast.
- Use Blink's Safety tab. Find research safety information on the left-hand navigation bar.
- Consult the research safety main menus:
- Access Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) sources online.
- Use the EH&S personnel directory for complete contact information.
- Human subjects: See UCSD Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) for Institutional Review Board (IRB) issues.
- Animal subjects: See UCSD's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
- Contact the Research Assistance Program, (858) 534-7651, if you have questions.
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Get a waste generator number (WGN) if you will be generating hazardous waste. |
Generators of chemical and radioactive hazardous waste must apply for and receive a waste generator number (WGN) before EH&S can collect their waste for disposal. Note: A WGN is not required for biohazardous waste collection. The Biohazardous Materials Use Authorization (BUA) covers biohazardous waste disposal.
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Ensure all lab personnel receive required safety training. |
- Make sure personnel working in your lab (including yourself) attend required research safety training before beginning work with hazardous materials or processes.
- Read Ergonomic Risk Factors: Laboratory Workers to find ergonomic training resources specifically for researchers.
- Contact the EH&S Safety Training Manager, (858) 822-5974, if you have questions.
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Learn about UCSD's emergency resources. |
Be familiar with UCSD emergency preparedness and response procedures from chemical spills in the laboratory, to possible building evacuation, to a campus-wide event.
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Be aware of purchasing restrictions for regulated research supplies. |
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Check ChemCycle before purchasing chemicals. |
ChemCycle is UCSD's chemical reuse program. With over 3,000 usable surplus chemicals available free to UCSD researchers, ChemCycle is good for the pocketbook and good for the environment.
- Follow instructions on the ChemCycle Web page to search for and request free chemicals.
- Expect delivery during the next regularly scheduled hazardous waste collection for your building.
- Contact ChemCycle, (858) 534-2753, if you have questions.
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Follow shipping and receiving requirements for hazardous materials. |
UCSD conforms to strict government regulations when transporting hazardous materials.
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Learn about injury and illness reporting and UCSD's workers' compensation program. |
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Find information about the safety committees overseeing research at UCSD. |
A number of committees advise the Chancellor on research safety issues and recommend and establish UCSD policy. Committees listed below generally have both advisory and oversight responsibilities; several have institutional authority to grant or rescind an investigator's authorization to work with regulated materials or subjects within their purview. Read about UCSD's research safety committees below.
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Read EH&S newsletters. |
- EH&S publishes two safety newsletters, alternating bimonthly:
- Lab Notes is a bimonthly safety newsletter for research employees.
- Lab Notes is distributed by campus mail to PIs, lab supervisors, and Area Safety Coordinators.
- Safety Briefs newsletter is for all UCSD employees, no matter what kind of work they perform.
- Contact EH&S, (858) 534-3660, if you have questions.
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