Introduction to the University of Colorado Denver for 
New Investigators

Introduction

The University of Colorado Denver Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) provides this information for new investigators to give them a better understanding of the compliance requirements for conducting research at the UC Denver campuses. The information presented below is not comprehensive in detail, however it will highlight our programs.  

As a new researcher you will be responsible for conducting your work in a safe manner at all times.

The UC Denver EH&S Department (303 724-0345) is charged with oversight of compliance with public health, environmental protection, and safety regulations for both campuses and all off-site facilities.

Our division is comprised of several sections, with specialists assigned to programs related to radiation safety, biosafety, industrial hygiene, and hazardous chemical waste requirements. Please visit our home page at http://www.uchsc.edu/safety for more information.

Environmental, Health and Safety Training

The following training is required for all faculty, classified staff, and students participating in or supervising the following regulated and/or potentially hazardous activities below on campus:

• Hazardous Waste Generator Training—an initial class, followed by annual refresher classes, for handling hazardous chemical waste.
• Radiation Safety Training—a five-part modular training program followed by annual refresher training, for working with radioactive materials.
• Blood Borne Pathogens Training—an initial class followed by annual refresher classes, for performing tasks with potential exposure to infectious materials and pathogens.

Training must be completed within certain time frames. Class schedules are e-mailed throughout the global campus system, and they can be found on our website.

Committees and Authorizations

On our campus, a variety of Institutional Committees confer authorization for different types of research work.  The following committees are administered by the Health and Safety Division.

• Committee on Ionizing Radiation (CIR)—research involving any ionizing radiation used on these campuses, to include x-ray and other radioactive materials. Phone: ext. 40234.
• Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)—research involving recombinant genetic materials, infectious materials, and/or biological toxins. Phone: ext. 40235.
• Environmental Health and Safety Committee (EHS)—faculty advisory committee to the Chancellor for environmental health and safety matters. Phone: ext. 40345.

In addition, the following committees are administered through the Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Regulatory Compliance.

• Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (COMIRB) —research protocols involving humans. Phone: ext. 4-1055.
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)—research protocols involving animals. Phone: ext. 5-7417.

Audits

The Environmental Health and Safety Department conducts a variety of laboratory audits to assist our research laboratories in compliance with the environmental health and safety regulations under which the University operates. 

Lab audits are performed routinely on a scheduled basis or may be conducted upon request. You may be contacted to schedule an audit. 

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

MSDSs provide useful information to researchers on the specific chemical and physical hazards when working with chemicals. If you order a research chemicals from either Sigma/Aldrich or Fisher Scientific, you must access this information on their respective homepages. You may gain access to additional MSDS databases from the Health & Safety website.

Campus Policies

While State personnel are not covered by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Act, the Health Sciences Center has instituted policies relating to fire, life safety, and general safety. 

Please note the following critical safety policies.  Contact our division for more information on related guidelines or compliance with policies.

• All persons must evacuate during fire alarms. 
• Individual buildings have policies related to hallway storage. 
• No more than 10 gallons of flammable liquid may be stored outside of an approved flammable liquid storage cabinet (per lab).
• Cold storage of flammable liquids is not allowed in general refrigerators. 
• Compressed gas cylinders must be secured from falling.
• The campus has policies concerning children in labs, eye protection, and the prohibition of eating/drinking in labs. 
• Prior to disposal or moving of lab equipment (and decommissioning of the lab) the item/area must be "Green-Tagged" (environmentally cleared) by EH&S.
• Sink Disposal Guidelines have been published, and should be placed at all sinks. The list indicates what can and cannot be disposed using the sink drains.