Tag: ehso

  • Gene Drive: Risks and Benefits

    Authors: Kalpana Rengarajan, PhD; Rashida Moore, DVM, DACLAM Gene drives refer to genetic elements that skew the pattern of inheritance of a given characteristic in sexually reproducing organisms. They can be used to spread a characteristic that can alter or even reduce the numbers of individuals in wild populations of a certain species. As they…

  • H5 Avian Influenza Virus Exemption

    Authors: Kalpana Rengarajan, PhD & Rashida Moore, DVM Select agents are biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to both human and animal health, plant health, or to animal and plant products. These materials are regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program, under 7 CFR Part 331, 9 CFR…

  • Biological Safety Protocol Electronic Submission

    Author: Scott Thomaston, AVP, EHSO For the last several years the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) has been utilizing software named BioRAFT as an electronic platform for investigators to submit their Biosafety protocols. Recently BioRaft has been rebranded and is now SciShield. Aside from the name change the software remains the same, including the…

  • Occupational Health Services (OHS)

    Authors: Dr. Javier Valle, Medical Director, OHS & Cynthia Holbrook, Corporate Director, OHS Occupational Health Services (OHS) is the medical branch of an occupational and environmental health partnership with the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) to ensure the health and safety of the Emory community. Both branches directly support the Office of Research Administration…

  • Dual Use of Research Concern

    By Scott Thomaston, Assistant Vice President, EHSO Some biological agents used in research are considered to be Dual Use of Research Concern (DURC) because of their ability to be used both for benevolent purposes or modified in such a way as to present risk to public health and safety, agriculture, animals, and the environment. This…

  • High Containment Laboratory Program

    Author: Scott Thomaston, AVP, EHSO The commissioning of the Health Sciences Research Building Phase 2 (HSRB2) brings a significant increase in Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) capacity to our research community.  This addition of 12 high containment labs significantly adds to our ability to work with infectious biological agents that…

  • EHSO Information Technology Upgrade

    Author: Scott Thomaston, AVP, EHSO As part of the ORA Information Technology modernization initiative, the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) continues to refine and consolidate data management systems to eliminate redundancy, decrease inaccuracies and better inform critical decisions. A significant step in this process is the expanded use of the Environmental Health and Safety…

  • Introducing the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) Occupational Health Program

    The Mission of the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) is to engage the Emory community in managing environmental, health, and safety risks, reducing workplace injuries and illnesses, and decreasing environmental impact. Multiple EHSO units including Research Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety, Radiation Safety, and Environmental Programs contribute to this mission by providing expertise and value-added services…

  • Institutional Biosafety Committee

    The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) partners with the Emory Community to provide environmental, health, and safety (EHS) practices that enhance and support our world-renowned, cutting edge research. This is accomplished by managing EHS risks to reduce the potential for workplace injury or illness.  A primary focus of EHSO is managing the safe use…

  • Preparing Research Laboratories for Winter Recess

    During this season of family and friends, it is easy to be distracted by holiday preparations.  We must remember that laboratories requires constant attention to operate safely and effectively.  By taking a few precautions and preparations, labs can remain safe for researchers and service personnel, as well as safeguard experiments.  Laboratory buildings are remarkably complex…