Laboratory Research Safety Manager
Job
Summary:
The Laboratory Research Safety Manager will partner with researchers and faculty across the campus to ensure laboratory research and courses are conducted safely and according to federal, state and local regulations and institutional guidelines. The Laboratory Research Safety Manager is responsible for managing, providing technical guidance, training, and risk assessment of the campus-wide Biological and Radiation safety programs to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate research and the pursuit of academic excellence. The Research Safety program ensures that institutional policies and procedures relating to the safe conduct of research activities are followed. These policies and procedures are used as a foundation for research safety and environmental health programs throughout the MBL.
The Laboratory Research Safety Manager collaborates and works closely with the Environmental Health & Safety Manager for areas where laboratory safety responsibilities overlap. The Laboratory Research Safety Manager ensures that safety equipment is tested and/or calibrated as needed.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Develops, implements, and updates all research safety programs for Biological and Radiation safety, collaborating with Division of Research, Division of Education and Veterinary Services. Develops, implements, and updates applicable safety documents including Biological Safety Manual, Laser Safety Manual, and Radiation Safety Manual. Assists laboratories with associated lab specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) as required.
2. Develops, implements and maintains lab specific documents, policies, and procedures related to Select Agents and Toxins, and US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Controlled Substances. Provides for the acquisition, use and disposal of DEA Controlled Substances in research and teaching laboratories. Ensures compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations governing the use of Controlled Substances. Serves as the MBL’s Corporate Administrator as required by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Import/Export Unit.
3. Coordinates laboratory inspections/audits as needed with the EH&S Manager to minimize disruption of routine laboratory processes due to multiple inspections/audits and maintains all records. Conduct laboratory inspections and compliance reviews of laboratories (BSL1/BSL2, research animal facilities, tissue culture rooms, and other support facilities that use recombinant DNA technology and biological agents) determined by risk level, for unsafe conditions and work practices. Investigates accidents, recommends corrective actions, and performs follow-up verification of deficiency correction status for Radiation and Biological Safety Programs.
4. Collaborates with principal investigators, research teams, faculty, staff and institutional research oversight committees [e.g. the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC),the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Radiation Safety Committee (RSC)] on a regular basis as a partner in addressing research safety needs, meeting as often as necessary to discuss research work performed, safety risks, training and safety material and equipment needs and other measures to mitigate risk.
5. Maintains proficiency in regulations and standards while providing Biological, Radiation and Laser safety subject matter expertise and support to principal investigators, research teams, faculty, staff and institutional research oversight committees.
6. Assist laboratory clients with identification of appropriate biological laboratory containment levels, and strategies for hazard assessment and control and works with principal investigators, research teams, faculty, staff and institutional research oversight committees to assess Biological, Radiation and Laser safety risks and develop appropriate safety controls for research experiments or procedures with significant safety risks in conjunction with the Division of Research Director when needed.
7. Reviews grant applications, IACUC protocols, and IBC research protocols to provide assistance to principal investigators, research teams, faculty, and staff in developing IRB support, IBC, IACUC, and Radiation Safety protocols in collaboration with the Division of Research, Division of Education, and Animal Care Facility Attending Veterinarians.
8. Collaborates with principal investigators, research teams, faculty, and staff to determine safety training needs for Biological, Radiation Safety, and Laser Safety. Develops and conducts training to meet identified needs. Determines training elements needed and provides team specific training as needed including Biosafety; OSHA, Bloodborne Pathogens, Select Agents and Toxins, Radiation Safety, Laser Safety, DEA Controlled Substance, Hazardous Materials Shipping, and other customized trainings, as needed.
9. Collaborate with other EH&S divisions to implement multi-disciplinary programs including biological, chemical and physical hazard exposure monitoring, animal experimentation protocols, and other program areas. Develop written plans, training modules, fact sheets, and other communications.
11. Manages the removal and disposal of biological and radiological waste from laboratories and accumulation areas as required by Federal and Massachusetts regulations. Works with vendors for coordinating waste pickups and pricing. Coordinates with EH&S Manager as needed related to waste disposal.
12. Manages and/or conducts testing and certifying of critical laboratory equipment - verifying systems and procedures are in place for compliance of laboratory safety equipment (i.e. biosafety cabinets, chemical fume hoods, autoclaves, Liquid Scintillation counters). Ensures that safety equipment is tested and/or calibrated as needed.
13. Functions as a backup for duties performed by EH&S Manager when needed. Works closely with EH&S Manager to coordinate safety activities as needed.
14. Serves as a member of the Safety Committee, IBC, IACUC and Radiation Safety Committee.
15. Monitors compliance with Biological, Radiation Safety and Laser Safety requirements and provides information and data reports to committees as required.
16. Performs all other duties as required and/or assigned.
Skills Required:
Knowledge of federal, state and local environmental health and safety regulations. Knowledge of Laboratory safety and chemical, biological, radiological and physical hazards required. Must be detail oriented and able to prepare documents and reports as necessary. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including creating charts and graphs.
Requires management and team leadership skills. Ability to communicate effectively, maintain professionalism, credibility, confidentiality (as needed) and good service delivery practice when dealing with internal and external contacts.
Ability to mentally and physically react effectively, quickly, calmly and rationally during times of conflict and emergencies required.
Education/Experience:
Master’s degree in a scientific discipline – Biological Science preferred, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, relevant certifications preferred (i.e., Certified Biological Safety Professional, Certified Safety Professional, Registered Biological Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist, safety management certificate). Graduate program laboratory experience may serve as professional experience, depending on the nature of the experience.
Five plus years of experience in a laboratory setting or related industry (research laboratory, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, etc.). Experience or knowledge regarding biological safety including pathogenic microorganisms (e.g. infectious dose, natural reservoirs, routes of transmission, communicability, environmental stability, antibiotic sensitivities/resistance, and sensitivities to disinfectants) in biosafety/laboratory safety practices required). Working knowledge of NIH and CDC guidelines.