What is Biohazard?
Terminology & Acronyms
Responsibilities
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Biological Safety Coordinator
What is a Biohazard?
Biohazards are microorganisms, biological materials, and/or agents which present a risk or potential risk of infection to humans or animals and may negatively impact the environment. Laboratories must be provide controls to prevent release of these biohazardous materials and protect the laboratory employees from exposure. Unique to living biohazardous microorganisms in comparison to other laboratory hazards is the ability to reproduce and with increasing numbers comes the increasing threat of problems. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) introduce an unknown element into the risk assessment process. These organisms are not typically well-characterized and the associated risks have not been identified.
Terminolgy & Acronyms
BSC - Biological Safety Cabinet
GMO - Genetically Modified Organism
LAI- laboratory Acquired Infections
IBC- Institutional Biosafety Committee
RAC-Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (NIH)
OBA-Office of Biotechnology Activities
NIH-National Institutes of Health
DHHS-Department of Health and Human Services
WHO- World Health Organization
CDC-Center for Disease Control
DHS-Department of Homeland Security
CMU-Central Michigan University
ORSP-Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Responsibilities
Central Michigan University
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Institutional Biosafety Committee
CST Chemical/Radiation Safety Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
Biological Safety Coordinator
Department Chairperson
Principal Investigator
Laboratory Personnel
Student Assistants
Non-Technical Support Staff
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Research or laboratory operations conducted at Central Michigan University involving any potentially biohazardous agents must be conducted according to protocols approved by the IBC. The IBC reviews protocols which may involve the use of infectious agents, recombinant DNA or RNA, biotoxins, tissue culture cells, or materials originating from humans or non-human primates.
It is the duty of the Principal Investigator (PI) to register the work with the IBC with adequate time for the committee to carefully review the study
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Members
Gregory Colores-IBC Chair, CMU Professor, Microbiology
Thomas E. Schultz- Biological Safety Coordinator
Jennifer Schisa- CMU Professor, genetics
Michael Sandstrom- CMU professor, psychology and neuroscience
Jeff Percha, Member - no CMU affiliation
Cordell DeMattei Member - no CMU affiliation
Craig Reynolds- CMU designee of vice provost of research
Biological Safety Coordinator
The Biological Safety Coordinator's (BSC) responsibilities include:
* Develop and maintain the biosafety program
* Inspect, monitor, and perform risk assessments on laboratories using biohazardous materials
or agents
* Serve as a technical resource to researchers on biosafety matters
* Serve as a liaison between principal investigators and the IBC
* Make recommendations to the IBC regarding approval of research proposals
* Serve as a member of the IBC
* Works closely with other safety personnel on laboratory safety issues
* Provide biosafety training for laboratory personnel
* Manage the proper disposal of biological waste
If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact Tom Schultz at (989) 774-3279 or schul1te@cmich.edu.