Laboratory and research safety

Find information about submitting your research for safety review at VA Houston. We have special guidelines for research involving animals subjects, human subjects, and radiation.

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.

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.

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 RavalSubcommittee on Research Safety (SRS) CoordinatorEmail: [email protected]:  713-770-1890

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.

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 .

Questions regarding equipment inventories? Please contact the Research Safety Coordinator. 

Questions regarding equipment removal or transfers? Please contact the Research Safety Coordinator. 

Dorellyn Lee, MPA Manager of Laboratory Safety OperationsEmail: [email protected] Phone:

Anjali RavalResearch Safety Coordinator, Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS) CoordinatorEmail: [email protected] Phone:  

Dionne NicholsResearch Safety AssistantEmail: [email protected] Phone: