Institutions are required, by Federal mandates governing the care and use of animals in research, teaching, and testing, to establish and maintain an occupational health and safety program (OHSP). Often, institutions assign the IACUC with more responsibility than is mandated by the regulations, including checking eye wash stations, ensuring PPE, and reviewing allegations of non-compliance with ABSL2 procedures.
Using examples of responsibilities (mis?)assigned to the IACUC (e.g.,), we will explore the following questions:1. What is the role of the IACUC in the establishment and maintenance of an OHSP under current regulations?2. What institutional resources are best suited to manage the different aspects of an OHSP and why?3. How can the compliance and safety units communicate effectively when there is overlap in their responsibilities for oversight of an OHSP?4. What are the implications for the IACUC (and PI’s) if IACUCs are responsible for non-compliance with occupational safety and health issues?
Time will also be reserved for attendee questions.