IBC Occupational Health Policy
Approved by the IBC on March 11, 2009
Introduction Section IV-B-1-i of the NIH Guidelines states, “The institution shall establish and maintain a health surveillance program for personnel engaged in large-scale research or production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant DNA molecules which require BL3 containment at the laboratory scale. The institution shall establish and maintain a health surveillance program for personnel engaged in animal research involving viable recombinant DNA-containing microorganisms that require BL3 or greater containment in the laboratory.” Policy In accordance with the NIH Guidelines, all investigators (and their laboratory personnel) working with rDNA molecules and/or recombinant DNA-containing microorganisms that require BSL3 containment must enroll in Colorado State University’s Occupational Health and Safety Program. This program is coordinated through Environmental Health Services which is responsible for all aspects of health and safety at CSU. As part of the program, participants are required to fill out an Employee Health Surveillance Questionnaire and a Risk Assessment and Training Assignment Form. These forms will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Services provider to determine individual risk categories. In some cases a medical evaluation and immunizations may be necessary. In addition to the initial enrollment, participants will be required to provide annual updates to the Program Coordinator; individuals must report any accidents, exposures, or changes in health.