Laboratory and research safety | veterans affairs

INFORMATION ABOUT RESEARCH SAFETY The VA Houston Research Service Line is committed to promoting a safe and environmentally sound laboratory setting that is conducive to the highest level of

education and research. RSL works with the Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS), Facilities Management Service Line (FMS), Safety Section and Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) to

anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and reduce or eliminate all safety hazards at the VA Houston while striving to protect health and the environment. The various services work together to

inspect, train, and ensure compliance with all VHA, federal, state, and local policies and regulations. •    RSL SAFETY MANUAL AND CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN (PDF) SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH SAFETY

(SRS) The Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS) is charged by the R&D Committee with the responsibility to review and oversee the biosafety of all research activities involving

biological, chemical, physical, and radiation hazards for compliance with all applicable regulations, policies, and guidelines. This also includes a REVIEW OF ALL LABORATORY-BASED RESEARCH

ACTIVITIEs (either funded or non-funded) that will be conducted at the VA Houston or conducted off-site by VA personnel with VA funding.  •    The forms required to initiate SRS review,

VAHAR and VARAD, are available via the eVACS Form. SRS MEETINGS  The SRS meets on the first Wednesday of each month. QUARTERLY SAFETY MEETINGS  The Quarterly Safety Subcommittee meetings

cover annual refresher information and training on hazardous chemicals used in their work area, emergency preparedness, and all relevant research updates.   Attendance of representative from

each lab is required. Contact the SRS Coordinator for schedule and information.  The Quarterly Safety Subcommittee meetings occur on the second Tuesday of the third month of each quarter. 

ANJALI RAVAL Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS) Coordinator EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE:  713-770-1890 EQUIPMENT NEW EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION, MOVES, AND REPAIRS You should begin the

planning process as early as possible when receiving new equipment for installation or moving equipment or laboratories.  Contact the Manager of Safety Operations for the equipment

install/move/repairs form to initiate this process, seek guidance, plan appropriate protection procedures, and plan positioning of equipment before beginning any new operation. TAGGING

EQUIPMENT All VA and BCM equipment, including electronic equipment, e.g., computers, used for research purposes must be tagged and placed in the equipment inventory system.  If you have

equipment that is NOT tagged, notify the Manager of Safety Operations . EQUIPMENT INVENTORIES Questions regarding equipment inventories? Please contact the Research Safety Coordinator. 

EQUIPMENT REMOVAL AND TRANSFERS Questions regarding equipment removal or transfers? Please contact the Research Safety Coordinator.  DORELLYN LEE, MPA  Manager of Laboratory Safety

Operations EMAIL: [email protected]  PHONE: AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY * Laboratory compliance * Laboratory training * Laboratory safety supplies * Waste disposal * RSL Chemical Hygiene

Officer * Chemical inventories * New equipment installs/tagging equipment for repair * Work orders (leaks, broken lights, etc.) ------------------------- ANJALI RAVAL Research Safety

Coordinator, Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS) Coordinator EMAIL: [email protected]  PHONE:   AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY * Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS) * Laboratory safety and

compliance * Equipment inventories * Equipment removal and transfers * VA and BCM network port install and activation * Freezer monitoring * Chemical inventories * New equipment

installs/tagging equipment for repair * Work orders (leaks, broken lights, etc.) * Key and building access requests * Subject vouchers ------------------------- DIONNE NICHOLS Research

Safety Assistant EMAIL: [email protected]  PHONE: AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY * Package delivery and shipment * Laboratory safety and compliance * Laboratory safety supplies * Work orders

(leaks, broken lights, etc.) * Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) * Space remodeling * Scanning consents