October is Biosafety and Biosecurity Month

2019 is the 6th anniversary of the Biosafety & Biosecurity Month. The NIH’s Office of Science Policy (OSP) initially created National Biosafety Month to encourage institutions to highlight the importance of biosafety and undertake activities to strengthen their biosafety programs. The theme for 2019 is “Beyond the Lab: Increasing the Visibility of Biosafety and Biosecurity” with the social media hashtag #biosafety_biosecuritymonth.  

At Emory University, Biosafety is a critical component of Research Safety. Rarely a research laboratory uses biological materials only. Thus, we encourage our investigators to take a holistic approach to laboratory safety by promoting the safe use of biological, chemical and radioactive materials. Emory University’s Research Safety office team encourages all investigators to: 

• Increase interaction with the Research Safety team: 
  • Know your RESEARCH SAFETY BUILDING LIAISON (ehso.emory.edu/about > Staff Contacts).
  • Participate in the Get to Know EHSO monthly events.
  • Request a risk assessment when your procedures or materials change.
• Help keep Emory’s research spaces safe by reporting potential risks using the LiveSafe app. For more information visit the CEPAR website: http://emergency.emory.edu/livesafe/index.html
• Nurture Emory’s culture of safety: 
  • Review and follow standard operating procedures, submit them to the biosafety office for feedback and share with research personnel. 
  • Complete the training required for your job activities.  
  • Review vaccination requirements and occupational health recommendations with research personnel. 
  • Update the use of biological, chemical and radioactive materials in your research laboratory. 
  • Complete the PPE Assessment Form to determine the appropriate PPE for the job activities you conduct. 
  • Report a work-related injury, illness or exposure using the Health and Occupational Management at Emory (HOME) web portal (HOME is accessed through Self-Service. After logging in, click on Workplace Health). Also, notify your supervisor.

Emory University thanks ABSA International for supporting the 2019 Biosafety & Biosecurity Month.  

Please contact the biosafety office if you have any questions at biosafe@emory.edu. You can also follow our Twitter account, @EmoryEHSO, to see our daily posts of biosafety tips this month. 

Let’s continue to work together to keep the Emory Community safe.