Research Safety Subcommittee
The Research Safety Subcommittee (RSS) is a subcommittee of the Research and Development Committee and is responsible for coordinating the safety program in all research areas. Along with the Hospital Safety Management Committee it ensures that quarterly safety inspections are conducted, safety training is provided, accidents are reported and investigated and safety questions are answered and resolved in a timely manner. Employees are encouraged to notify any member of the RSS of unsafe conditions or other issues related to safety.
The RSS is responsible for reviewing written safety plans, procedures including biohazards, and policies of Research Service to ensure these programs are in compliance with requirements and VA standards.
The RSS is responsible for reviewing the safety aspects of all grant proposals prior to submission. This includes the storage, use and disposal of chemicals, radioisotopes, microbial agents, recombinant DNA, human tissues/specimens, biological toxins, non-microbial agents, and physical agents. The RSS members with biosafety expertise review those grant proposals in which biohazards or potential biohazards are used. These substances include, but are not restricted to: class 2,3,4, and 5 pathogens, HIV virus, recombinant DNA, and research involving cell cultures especially those known to contain or potentially contain viruses or bacteria of class 2 or higher.
