The Occupational Safety Department (OSD) at Rush University Medical Center oversees the Environmental Safety and Laboratory Safety programs. OSD can assist you with: batteries, chemical waste, medical waste, sharps, shipping of dangerous goods & hazardous materials, used oil, monitoring program for hazardous air contaminants, laboratory inspections, laboratory decommissioning, formaldehyde safety program, chemical waste management, and 3E Online/Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Program.
The Biohazard Committee reviews all research activities involving infectious agents/pathogens categorized as Risk Group 2 or Risk Group 3, biologically-derived toxins, the Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxic chemical MPTP, nanoparticles, prions, or prion-like synthetic particles, as required by University policy. Risk Group 4 agents/pathogens are not currently permitted at Rush. Study teams indicate whether their project utilizes such agents in the Master Project under Question 6.0 of the Project Specific Information section.
The Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) Committee reviews all research activities that produces knowledge, technologies or products that could pose a significant public health threat if they fell into the wrong hands, as required by the United States Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern (2014) and University policy. To meet the definition of ‘DURC,’ the research must involve one of 15 agents/toxins of concern (including botulinum neurotoxin) and involve one of 7 experimental effects of concern. Study teams indicate whether their project utilizes botulinum toxin (the only DURC agent permitted at Rush) in the Master Project under Question 7.0 of the Project Specific Information section.
The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) reviews all routine clinical and research laboratory aspects of ionizing radiation use (such as dose monitoring, radiation protection, nuclear medicine hygiene, and radioactive waste disposal). The clinical and non-clinical use of ionizing radiation for research purposes is subject to review and approval by the RSC. The RSC is also responsible for overseeing all uses of radioactive material. All research studies using ionizing radiation for treatment, guidance or localization, screening, or treatment response assessment must be submitted for radiation safety review. If the use of ionizing radiation is determined to be consistent with the Standard of Care, no further review is necessary. If the use of ionizing radiation differs from the standard of care or presents unknown or increased radiation risks, the Chair will designate a member of the Radiation Research Subcommittee to review the application, providing model radiation risk consent language if appropriate. Some protocols, such as new uses of radioactive materials and research on children, pregnant subjects, or healthy volunteers may require full RSC review. Study teams indicate whether their project utilizes ionizing radiation in the Master Project under Question 4.0 of the Project Specific Information section. Please also visit the Radiation Safety InsideRush page for additional information.
