Research & Sponsored Programs

Environmental Health & Safety

Safety, Awareness, Compliance...

Expanding the boundaries of knowledge and discovery in U teaching and research laboratories may sometimes involve the use of radioactive materials, toxic chemicals,  pathogenic micro-organisms, infectious agents, human tissue and bloodborne pathogens and other potential hazards  The U's Environmental Health and Safety program ensures that research and education occur safely, in compliance with federal guidelines, acceptable standards, and U policy.

The U's Director of Environmental Health & Safety implements the U's radiation, chemical and biological safety programs.  The Director functions as the U's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO), and Biological Safety Officer, providing to the U community:

  • Information and resources
  • Training and consultation
  • Safety audits
  • Compliance oversight
  • Liaison activities between the U and regulatory agencies
Biological and Chemical Safety

The U requires compliance with NIH Guidelines for Research involving rDNA Materials; BMBL; Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA) standards; and with recommendations provided in the U's Biological and Chemical Safety Manual.  The U's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) formulates policy and procedures related to the use of biohazardous agents and materials.

Radiation Safety

The U has a license issued by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  The license authorizes faculty, staff and students to use radioactive materials in research and teaching.  This is a Type B license of broad scope which does not permit the use of radioactive materials in patients or human subjects.

Use of radioactive materials by faculty, staff, or students requires compliance with NRC and U policies.  Authorization and approval by the Radiation Safety Officer is required for faculty.  All persons working with radioactive material must receive training appropriate to their use and must be approved by the U's radiation safety officer.

 

For information about the U's Environmental Health and Safety program please contact Ron Bresell, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, at (605) 677-6265  or ronald.bresell@usd.edu

 

Ensuring Safety

Learning in a safe environment The U's Environmental Health and Safety Program ensures that research occurs in a safe environment, in compliance with federal and U regulations.