Research Safety Resources for New Principal Investigators

New PIs must be entered in Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) database to enable certain research safety authorizations and access EH&S online applications.

Use the PI Information form below to be entered into the EH&S database or to report information changes:

• Online PI Information form

  OR

• Print and fax or e-mail the form (PDF) (Word file):
  • Fax: (858) 822-7763
  • E-mail: ehsrap@ucsd.edu

PIs must obtain authorization before beginning research using biohazardous materials, radioactive materials, controlled substances, lasers, Select Agents, human gene transfer clinical trials, human subjects, or animal subjects.

• Read Research Safety Authorizations for Principal Investigators for a list of required authorizations and how to initiate application procedures.
• Allow for application processing time. Apply well in advance of establishing your lab. Approvals take 1 to 2 months on average.
• Contact EH&S, (858) 534-3660, if you have questions.

• Contact the Research Assistance Program specialist assigned to your building if you have questions.
• What's the Research Assistance Program?

UCSD endeavors to conduct research and instruction in compliance with university policy, granting agency requirements, and federal, state, and local government regulations.

• PIs are responsible for:
  • Implementing health, safety, and environmental management programs in their workplace
  • Understanding the hazards that exist in their labs and workplaces
  • Creating and monitoring programs to ensure the safety of lab workers
  • Completing and keeping all required safety-related documentation
• Schedule a New PI Orientation by EH&S Research Safety specialists. A customized training session will inform you about the regulatory requirements associated with your research and the resources in place to assist you.
  • Contact the Research Assistance Program specialist assigned to your building, (858) 534-7651 or 534-3660, to request New PI Orientation.
• Laboratory safety audits: UCSD laboratories are audited annually for safety and compliance by EH&S Research Assistance Program specialists.
  • Read about the Research Assistance Program (RAP) and how it benefits your research activities.
    • Find the RAP specialist assigned to your building.
  • Contact the Research Assistance Program, (858) 534-7651, if you have questions.

UCSD's Animal Care Program requires information in advance about animals to be imported from other research institutions to assure adherence to UCSD animal health and regulatory requirements. Most animals, especially rodents, imported into UCSD require a quarantine period or rederivation prior to entering a UCSD vivarium. Advanced planning is essential to ensure adequate space and equipment are available for the animals once they arrive.

• Contact the Animal Care Program, (858) 534-4262, to arrange an operational meeting to discuss your research needs before beginning a move to UCSD.
• Read about the animal acquisitions process on the Animal Care Program Web site.
• For assistance with animal imports and acquisitions, contact the Animal Transfer Coordinator, (858) 822-0083.

• Animal subjects
  • See UCSD's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
• Blink
  • Use the Blink search box (under the Blink logo in the upper left corner) to find information fast.
  • Navigate to research safety information from the Safety tab.
  • Consult the Research/ Lab Safety menu.
  • Access Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) sources online.
  • Use the EH&S personnel directory for complete contact information.
• Human subjects
  • See UCSD Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) for Institutional Review Board (IRB) issues.
• My Research Safety
  • Use the My Research Safety Web portal for centralized views of your Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) audits, inventory, and authorizations.

Generators of chemical and radioactive hazardous waste must apply for and receive a waste generator number (WGN) before EH&S can collect their waste for disposal.

Note: A WGN is not required for biohazardous waste collection. The Biohazard Use Authorization (BUA) covers biohazardous waste disposal.

• Apply for an WGN with the online Waste Generator Number Application form.
• Read Waste Generator Number (WGN) Overview to learn how WGNs are used.
• Contact the EH&S Environmental Management Facility, (858) 534-2753, if you have questions.

• Make sure personnel working in your lab (including yourself) attend required research safety training before beginning work with hazardous materials or processes.
  • Read Safety Training Checklist for Supervisors for a discussion of safety training responsibilities.
  • Read Safety Training for Lab and Research Employees to find out how to obtain required and recommended safety training.
  • Print and complete a New Laboratory Worker Checklist (PDF) for every lab employee. File the form with other department safety training records.
• Read Ergonomic Awareness: Risk Factors to find ergonomic training resources specifically for researchers.
• Contact the EH&S Safety Training Manager, (858) 822-5974, if you have questions.

Be familiar with UCSD emergency preparedness and response procedures from chemical spills in the laboratory, to possible building evacuation, to a campus-wide event.

• Look for the wall-mounted UCSD Emergency Guide and first aid kit in your lab. If they're missing from your lab, contact the RAP specialist for your building to have them installed.
• Prepare for laboratory incidents. Learn how to:
  • Assemble small-scale chemical spill kits
  • Handle chemical spills in laboratories
  • Handle biological spills
  • Clean up minor radioactive contamination
  • Activate UCSD's Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team for large or extremely hazardous spills
  • Respond to needlestick and exposure to blood and body fluids
  • Respond to laser accident emergencies
• Check the UCSD Emergency Status page in the event of an emergency affecting campus.
• Read about Emergency Preparedness Planning for UCSD, including UCSD's Emergency Operations Plan and your department's role.
• Consider earthquakes when establishing your lab, and devise ways to minimize possible damage.
• Contact Continuity & Emergency Services, (858) 534-3823, if you have questions.

• Read Items Restricted From Department Order for research materials, equipment, and services that require a professional buyer's assistance. Examples include (but are not limited to):
  • Radioactive materials
  • Controlled Substances: Managing Inventory
• Contact Purchasing, (858) 534-3084, if you have questions.

ChemCycle is UCSD's chemical reuse program. With over 1,000 usable surplus chemicals available free to UCSD researchers, ChemCycle is good for the pocketbook and good for the environment.

• Follow instructions on the ChemCycle Web page to search for and request free chemicals.
• Expect delivery during the next regularly scheduled hazardous waste collection for your building.
• Contact ChemCycle, (858) 534-2753, if you have questions.

UCSD conforms to strict government regulations when transporting hazardous materials.

• Read How to Ship Hazardous Materials for details.
• Requirements for radioactive materials are different. Read How to Transfer Radioactive Materials for instructions.
• Controlled substances cannot be removed, transferred to another PI, or shipped off campus to another university or institution.
  • Contact the CS Program manager, (858) 534-1362, for more information.
• Contact the Shipping Coordinator, (858) 536-3225, Ext. 244, if you have questions.

• Read What to Do if a Work-Related Injury or Illness Occurs.
• Learn how to access and understand UCSD's workers' compensation program.
• Contact the EH&S Workers' Compensation Office, (858) 822-2979, if you have questions.

A number of committees advise the Chancellor on research safety issues and recommend and establish UCSD policy. Committees listed below generally have both advisory and oversight responsibilities; several have institutional authority to grant or rescind an investigator's authorization to work with regulated materials or subjects within their purview.

• Health and Safety Coordinating Council
• Biological safety:
  • Institutional Biosafety Committee
  • UCSD Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) for Institutional Review Board (IRB) issues
  • Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Chemical Safety and Surveillance Committee
• Laser Safety Committee
• Radiation safety:
  • Radiation Safety and Surveillance Committee
  • Radioactive Drug Research Committee
  • Human Exposure Review Committee (HERC)

• EH&S publishes 2 safety newsletters, alternating bimonthly:
  • Lab Notes is a bimonthly safety newsletter for research employees.
    • Lab Notes is distributed by campus mail to PIs, lab supervisors, and Area Safety Coordinators.
  • Safety Briefs newsletter is for all UCSD employees, no matter what kind of work they perform.
    • Safety Briefs is distributed by campus mail bimonthly to Department Safety Coordinators.
• Contact EH&S, (858) 534-3660, if you have questions.