Laboratory Safety Specialist - Chicago, United States - The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago

Verified Company

Chicago, United States

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

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Description

Department

BSD ORS - Office of Research Safety

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) is the largest operating unit of the University of Chicago. It includes the Pritzker School of Medicine, approximately 20 academic units, degree-granting committees, and research centers and institutes.

BSD's patient care operations are conducted primarily at the University of Chicago Medical Center and clinics, which share the same campus.

The BSD Office of Research Safety provides safety services to all facilities involved in research for both laboratories and lab support areas in the BSD.

Job Summary

The Laboratory Safety Specialist is responsible for managing and providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis of the BSD to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate research and the pursuit of academic excellence.

This position provides input into University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures as a key member of the research safety community in addition to providing input on the allocation of roles and responsibilities for research safety between the Office of Research Safety and the divisional Laboratory Safety Specialists.

In addition, the Laboratory Safety Specialist will work with BSD Deans and the Office of Research Safety to develop and implement strategic initiatives to foster safety culture at all levels and all areas in BSD laboratory safety program; they will also work closely, and in coordination, with building managers within the BSD, along with the BSD Associate Director of Design and Construction.

The Laboratory Safety Specialist reports to the Biological Sciences Division Dean for Research and the Associate Provost for Research Safety.

Responsibilities:

Serves as the single point of contact for their assigned departments, Principal Investigators (PIs), and research teams on research safety issues and addressing research safety needs.
Assists with all research safety support, collaborating with the Office of Research Safety, Animal Resource Center, and Environmental Health and Safety.
Demonstrates a regular presence in the laboratories, building a strong partnership with assigned PIs and their research teams.
Works with research teams to develop systems and procedures for maintaining their laboratories' chemical inventory and monitor status of records.
Ensures compliance of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, fume hood certifications).
Helps PIs in developing Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols in conjunction with the Office of Research Safety and Animal Resource Center veterinarians.
Conducts orientation training sessions with new PIs, ensuring they understand their research safety roles and responsibilities and how to acquire required support.
Works with the Office of Research Safety to monitor adherence to training requirements and inform PIs about noncompliance.
Works with PIs and departments to procure safety equipment and supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, hazardous materials) for assigned research teams.
Conducts inspections of all research laboratories and lab support areas as determined by risk level for unsafe conditions and work practices, recommends corrective actions, and performs followup verification of deficiency correction status.
Schedules and partners with the Office of Research Safety staff for laboratory safety inspections with a representative of the research team, ensuring adherence to government regulations and University and department/division standards, policies and procedures.
Serves on laboratory safety related committees and participates in departmental and campuswide work groups to facilitate laboratory injury prevention, best practices, and lessons learned.
Participates as a member of the emergency response team and responds to hazardous material releases and serves in the appropriate response role based on training and expertise.
Monitors compliance and provides information and data to both the Office of Research Safety and Environmental Health and Safety in support of regulatory agency laboratory safety inspections.
Reviews and researches appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment, and supports faculty and research support staff in the implementation of these control strategies.
With a moderate level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.
Plans and executes surveys, audits, and inspections of instruments, laboratories, and other facilities to ensure compliance with government and University policies and procedures. Analyzes data and initiatives immediate correc