The Research Compliance Services (RCS) can assist you in obtaining appropriate review and approval of research areas that will need the consideration of an oversight committee. Many times a sponsor will require a signature from a compliance office at the time of submission while other sponsors only require compliance review and approval upon award. If your research will use any of the areas listed below, please contact the ORC at 486.8513.
Animal Subjects
The University of Connecticut has established, and must maintain, policies and procedures to ensure the humane care and use of live vertebrate animals involved in research and teaching activities. The University’s animal program, facilities, and procedures are overseen by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). All plans for research, teaching or training activities involving the use of animal subjects must be submitted for review and approval to the IACUC. See the IACUC home page for forms, policies and contact information.
Controlled Substances
Controlled substances are regulated by the CT Department of Consumer Protection Drug Control Division (DCD). The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) maintains a database of personnel who are licensed by the DCD to use controlled substances on any of the University’s campuses. Individuals with valid needs to utilize controlled substances for University-sanctioned research protocols and related project work must complete a DCD registration form. In addition, researchers must also register with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Contact Stefan Wawzyniecki, Chemical Health and Safety Manager, for further information on procedures for obtaining a license prior to the use of any controlled substance in research-related activities on University property.
Human Subjects
All plans for research, teaching and training activities involving the use of human subjects must be submitted for prior review by the Committee on the Use of Human Subjects in Research to ensure that no research done under the jurisdiction of the University exposes persons who participate as subjects or respondents to unreasonable risks to their health, general well-being or privacy. See the IRB home page for forms, policies and contact information.
Laboratory Safety
The Laboratory Safety Committee oversees the laboratory safety program administered by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). The Committee develops and reviews policies that help: 1) ensure a safe working environment within laboratories, and 2) maintain compliance with US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), CT Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP), and CT Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CT OSHA) regulations. The Committee is comprised of faculty, laboratory, administration, and EH&S representatives, and meets quarterly to review laboratory safety and hazardous chemical waste issues at the University, including the Regional Campuses. Initial laboratory safety training is required for all new professors, staff, and graduate students who will be working in laboratories; thereafter, refresher training is required every other year.
For information or assistance with issues pertaining to laboratory safety or hazardous waste storage and disposal procedures, please contact the University’s Chemical Health and Safety Manager, Stefan Wawzyniecki, or the Laboratory Safety Committee Chairperson, Dr. Ben Bahr. Training schedules and other pertinent information are available on the EH&S webpage.
Laser Safety
The Laser Safety Committee oversees the laser safety program administered by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). The Committee develops and reviews policies that help: 1) ensure a safe working environment within laboratories, and 2) maintain compliance with CT Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CT OSHA) regulations. The Committee is comprised of faculty, administration, and EH&S representatives, and meets quarterly to review laser safety issues at the University, including the Regional Campuses. Anyone using lasers must successfully complete the University’s online laser safety training program; please contact Dawn Kemp for enrollment information. A laboratory-specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) must be developed by the Primary Laser Researcher (PLR) for each laser in use. Specialized systems may require further training and protective equipment provided by the PLR.
For information or assistance with issues pertaining to laser safety or the development of a laser SOP, please contact the University’s Laser Safety Officer, Dr. Martin Graham, or the Laser Safety Committee Chairperson, Dr. Doug Hamilton. Additional information is available on the Laser Safety home page.
Radiation Safety
The Radiation Safety Committee oversees the radiation safety program administered by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). The Committee reviews radioactive material research protocols and develops policies that help: 1) ensure a safe working environment within laboratories, and 2) maintain compliance with US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) regulations. The Committee is comprised of faculty, laboratory, administration, and EH&S representatives, and meets quarterly to review radiation safety and low-level radioactive waste disposal issues at the University, including the Regional Campuses. Initial radiation safety training is required for all new professors, staff, and graduate students who will be working with radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment; thereafter, refresher training is required on an annual basis. Research protocols must be reviewed and approved by the Committee before radioactive material can be ordered through EH&S. Initial training is required for non-users who work in a laboratory where radioactive materials are used; thereafter, refresher training is provided on an as-needed basis.
For information or assistance with issues pertaining to radiation safety or radioactive waste storage and disposal procedures, please contact the University’s Radiation Safety Manager, Dr. Martin Graham, or the Radiation Safety Committee Chairperson, Dr. Carol Teschke. Training schedules and other pertinent information, including the Radiation Safety Manual for UConn, are available on the Radiation Safety Home page.
Recombinant DNA (rDNA) and Biological Agents
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews all research and teaching activities that involve recombinant DNA (rDNA), biological agents and toxins. The purpose of the IBC review is to ensure that University activities comply with government regulations and provide appropriate safeguards for human health and the environment. For each research or teaching project, an internal document known as a ‘Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement’ (MUA) should be submitted by the faculty member. The IBC home page provides links to the MUA form, applicable government documents (e.g. guidelines from NIH and CDC), and other information. For more information and further assistance with biosafety issues contact David Cavallaro, Biological Safety Officer with Environmental Health & Safety, at 860.486.3613 or Carol Auer, faculty Chairperson of the IBC, at 860.486.1878.