Laboratory Safety, Training and Compliance

The office is responsible for:

1. Maintaining a list of chemical carcinogens, toxic chemicals.
2. Making available to principal investigators or other interested personnel information on radioactive hazardous materials and on changes in federal and state regulations with regard to the use of these materials.
3. Keeping on file information on safety procedures, shipment or hazardous material, and personal health programs.
4. Maintaining a file of safety plans for laboratory researchers including measures to be pursued in the case of an emergency.
5. Establishing a file on appropriate decontamination procedures for chemical carcinogens or infectious agents.
6. Keeping a file on all the laboratory accidents which result in exposure of personnel or the environment to a hazardous material.
7. Recording receipts of all isotopes and keeping film badge records for those required to wear film badges. Film badges are used to measure radiation level.

The principal investigator is in the best position to identify and assess risk, as well as to ensure the compliance with established safety procedures, and assumes responsibility for the safe conduct of his or her research. The Principal Investigator is responsible for:

1. Understanding risks associated with receiving or shipping from his or her laboratory hazardous chemicals or biologic agents.
2. Posting warnings and restricting entry to work areas that contain hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
3. Preparing a safety plan for his or her research if necessary.
4. Making certain that all students working in laboratories are aware of and always follow all safety procedures.

The plan should be submitted to the Biohazards Safety Committee through the Office of Sponsored Programs for review. The safety plan will be filed with the Office of Sponsored Programs.

The principal investigator may call upon Radiation – Biohazards Committee for information on the use and storage of various hazardous materials. In the event of any accident or spill in which personnel are exposed to hazardous materials the principal investigator will be required to notify Chairman of Radiation – Biohazards Committee immediately.

Each employee (faculty member, technician, graduate student, post-doctorate fellow, etc.) is responsible for complying with safety rules and procedures for the task assigned. He or she must also report promptly to the principal investigator unsafe conditions in the laboratory and any laboratory accident or exposure of personnel to biohazardous materials.

The Radiation – Biohazards Committee and Office of Sponsored Programs will cooperate with Physical Plant, Public Safety and other NJIT groups to develop and maintain a research safety program for the Institute. The office of Sponsored Programs will function as a resource for information for the investigator in his/her research activities. The Committee will monitor labs, and equipment to assure that NJIT personnel and property are protected from the effects of hazardous research materials.

Protection of Human Subjects

In accordance with federal regulations, the university is responsible for safeguarding the rights, health and welfare of people who serve as subjects in research or teaching experiments. NJIT has adopted policy and procedures designed to ensure their safety, dignity and privacy.

Protection of human subjects is first, and foremost, the responsibility of the investigator in charge of the activity. Working under university auspices, the investigator brings the institution into a position of direct and legal responsibility. This responsibility is met by a process of peer review and prior approval for activities in which people are to be used as subjects.

The Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects meets on a case-by-case basis.

Researchers should contact the SRARD director prior to proposal submission and for additional information.

Hazardous Materials

Research projects may involve the use of hazardous materials (radioactive materials, chemicals, RDNA, etc.). The intended use of these materials must be disclosed prior to the start date of the research on the "Proposal Routing Form."

Use of these materials must be brought to the attention of the SRARD director, who will review and forward the information to the appropriate university offices.

Contract Negotiation/Award Execution: Authority to Execute Legal Documents

SRARD negotiates all grants and contracts on behalf of the PI and in the best interest of NJIT. Contracts (excluding construction contracts and classified contracts), memoranda of agreement, and other legal instruments relating to Sponsored Research Administration are negotiated with the review and assistance of counsel for the university, and will be executed by the Senior Vice President for Research and Development. Other signatures are not binding as they carry no delegated authority.

Contract Notification

Following successful negotiations, the sponsoring agency issues a formal grant/contract document. SRARD receives the final contract, and obtains authorized institutional signatures as necessary to fully execute the award.

SRARD then processes the appropriate paperwork to establish an NJIT grant account in accordance with the proposal specifications and establishes a project account on the FRS. The agreement is then forwarded to the PI, Dean and GCS.

Federal Representation and Certifications

Due to the increased emphasis on federal regulatory issues, a growing number of sponsoring agencies are requiring NJIT to certify its position on various issues. They include lobbying, drug-free workplace and debarment/suspension. These certifications may be included with the proposal or as part of the final contracting/award process. These certifications are prepared by SRARD and always require a presidential/vice presidential signature.