Good science is safe science. Learn about the groups that support research safety and compliance oversight at UCLA and how the School of Medicine Research Safety Office fits into this paradigm.
SOM Safety Committee Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of March, June, September, and December from 10:00 am - 11:30 am.
Q4 2017 Summary
Archives of SOM Safety Meeting Minutes from 2012 to the present are available here (UCLA logon ID required).
-Changes to SOM Safety Quarterly Meetings will create a forum for conversation about DGSOM-specific topics and promote a dialogue between our labs and external stakeholders.
-Department Safety Coordinators want to be copied on inspection reports for their departments.
-A research safety coordinator (H95153) is being hired to support the Departments of Urology and Ob/Gyn.
-The DGSOM Research Safety Webpage has information about PPE Distribution, Lab Coat Laundry, and Research Safety & Oversight news and updates.
-A new CHS fire alarm system is being tested now. (See attached Memo, “CHS Fire Alarm Tests,” for schedule)
-EH&S is changing the inspection process – it is a good time to offer feedback.
-Labs switching to the new banded chemical SOP system are encouraged to archive old documents.
-Researchers with questions about controlled substances should reach out to Jeff Goodwin (questions about research changes or pharmaceuticals) or Bryan Ruiz (questions about licensing or process).
Click on image to enlarge
Chart Author: Nancy Wayne, PhD, Professor & Associate Vice Chancellor for Research - Laboratory Safety
This chart diagrams relationships between campus leadership, policy oversight groups (Blue), and safety programs and services (green).
The Faculty-Led Committees review research protocols, create research policies and guidelines, and work with corresponding safety programs. These committees are the PIs’ liaison to the campus and their advocate through all levels of regulation. The committees represent the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Learn more from RSAWA.
The Animal and Health & Safety Regulatory and Compliance Programs can be considered the operational arms of this structure. Researchers will interact directly with representatives from the safety programs during lab setup, research safety training, inspections, and safety consultations. Learn more from campus EH&S and DLAM.
The Research Safety Office coordinates the administrative structure for basic science research safety in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Our mission is to help researchers understand the regulatory and compliance requirements for research at UCLA and to promote open communication about and adoption of safe laboratory practices.
This work is primarily achieved through the activities of the SOM Safety Committee and its members, the Department Safety Coordinators. Our committee is strongly oriented to the structure defined above, and we prioritize communication of updates from those groups. When needed, we develop tools or processes that support efficient satisfaction of compliance needs so our researchers can get back to the bench assured of their safety.
Erin Quinn
Director, Research Safety
Please get in touch to let us know how we can support your research. Visit us in our new office, CHS 17-132, in early 2018.
The Research Safety Office is here to help researchers navigate compliance as efficiently as possible and redirect focus to the operation of safe research labs. We’re fortunate to maintain strong relationships with campus and school stakeholders at an institution that takes research safety as seriously as it does good science.
Responsible to their home departments and advised by the Research Safety Director, Department Safety Coordinators encourage the open communication of research safety and compliance updates to researchers in their home departments. They represent the interests of their departments to the school and work on projects that help achieve their department’s research safety and compliance goals. See resources for Department Safety Coordinators →
