Roles and Responsibilities

The IRSC is responsible for:

• Ensuring biological safety at KUMC;
• Reviewing the use of biological agents at KUMC and evaluating them in terms of the criteria for approval;
• Reviewing all infectious agent or recombinant DNA registration forms;
• Reviewing and prescribing special conditions, requirements and restrictions that may be necessary for safe handling of biological agents. For example, the IRSC may require specific training for students, staff and researchers, worker physical examinations (e.g. blood test, urine test, PPD, respiratory protection, required vaccinations, etc.), upgrading of facilities (biological safety cabinets, hoods, autoclaves, etc), special designation of areas of use within the laboratory, posting of additional caution signs, use of special disposal methods, use of special handling procedures and special procedures to be followed after contamination events or incidents
• Setting containment levels as specified in CDC and NIH guidelines;
• Recommending and/or initiating remedial actions when safe procedures are not followed under an authorized project or when procedures are not in compliance with government regulations or KUMC guidelines;
• Keeping department chairpersons, principal investigators and other academic and administrative officers advised of changes in rules and recommendations of various government agencies concerned with biological safety;
• Maintaining records of meeting minutes, protocol reviews, and other documents related to use of biological agents at KUMC; and
• Reviewing IRSC procedures at least annually.