Lab Safety Committee

Terms of Reference

The Laboratory Safety Committee's (LSC) overall responsibility is to monitor the use of radionuclides, biohazardous materials, chemicals, lasers, x-rays and other safety issues related to teaching and research laboratories*. The Committee is advisory to the Vice-President, University Research, and to the Safety Office and provides the following functions:

Oversees strategies to ensure ongoing and adequate surveillance, hazard identification, and risk evaluation of laboratory related activities;
Assesses requirements for laboratory users training and laboratory safety procedures. Recommends revisions, when indicated;
Reviews reports related to laboratory safety services, activities, incidents, and interventions in laboratory areas. Recommends corrective actions, when indicated;
Maintains subcommittees based on areas of expertise to receive, review and approve reports and applications required by legislation and regulatory agencies; and
Reports as required to the Vice-President, University Research.

Membership of the Committee will include:

Appointments by Vice-President, University Research, in consultation with Faculty Deans:

8 - Faculty members with the following areas of laboratory expertise appointed for renewable three-year terms:

2 - radionuclides (subcommittee required)
2 - biohazards (subcommittee required)
2 - chemicals
2 - lasers and x-rays

2 – Faculty Laboratory directors/managers - renewable three-year terms

Ex-officio members will include:

Environmental Health and Safety Officer, Safety Office
Director, Health Services or designate
Director, Office of Research Ethics or designate
Director, Safety Office or designate

Committee Chair is appointed by the Vice-President, University Research.
Committee will meet at least annually and as required.
The Safety Office will provide secretarial services to the Committee.