UC Merced Research Safety Committee Summary
Purpose
The committee ensures that all research and teaching activities at UC Merced comply with safety regulations and university standards. It promotes a culture of safety in laboratories, field research, and supporting shops.
Mandate & Responsibilities
- Policy Development: Create and maintain safety policies and procedures for research activities.
- Advisory Role: Advise campus leadership on safety compliance and policy effectiveness.
- Review Duties:
- Analyze lab safety inspection and incident reports from the Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S).
- Evaluate findings from EH&S and regulatory inspections.
- Consider input from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), faculty, and researchers.
- Surveillance & Risk Management: Develop strategies for hazard identification and risk evaluation.
- Annual Review: Assess the Laboratory Safety Plan and recommend improvements.
- Variance Requests: Review and recommend actions on requests to deviate from standard safety practices, considering regulations and risk assessments.
Reporting Line
Reports to the Chancellor through the Vice Chancellor for Research.
For questions, please email: rsc@ucmerced.edu
Committee Composition
Ex Officio Voting Members
- Campus Chemical Hygiene Officer (EH&S)
- EH&S Director (EH&S)
- Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research (ORED)
- Executive Director of Core facilities (ORED)
- Executive Director of RCI and DARS (ORED)
- Assistant Dean of School of Natural Sciences
- Assistant Dean of School of Engineering
At Large Voting Members
- 1 Faculty member from each school (SNS, SoE, SSHA)
- Research support staff person (ORED)
- Ex Officio Non-Voting Members
- Member of the Office of Legal Affairs
