Chair
Designated by the President on recommendation from the Executive Vice
President for Research (EVPR) from the membership.
Membership
All members must have appropriate experience and an active research program
involving the use of chemicals. The membership shall include at least:
One faculty representative from the School of Nursing and the School
of Public Health;
Two faculty representatives from the Dental Branch; and
One student member, and six faculty representatives from the Medical
School.
Additional faculty members may be appointed by the President as deemed
necessary to provide adequate expertise and size as dictated by the
issues and work encountered and as recommended by the Committee. Such
members shall be selected to reflect the degree of research activity
involving potential chemical hazards at various UT- Houston Schools.
Ex Officio Membership (without
vote)
Chair, Institutional Biosafety
Committee
Executive Vice President for Research
Executive Director, Environmental
Health and Safety
Manager, Chemical Safety
Manager, Environmental Protection
Additional faculty members providing invaluable expertise
Terms of Membership
Staggered three-year terms with one expiring each year.
Charge
The Committee reports to the EVPR on matters related to the use of chemicals
that may be hazardous in the research, clinical and educational activities
of UT-Houston. Hazardous chemicals are defined as substances which are
potential physical or health hazards by exhibiting harmful characteristics
such as toxicity, reactivity or flammability. The Environmental Health
and Safety Department is the monitoring and effector arm of the Chemical
Committee. Specific charges to the Committee include the following.
To recommend to the EVPR policies and procedures to ensure the health
and safety of all individuals within UT-Houston.
To recommend to the EVPR policies and procedures to ensure UT-Houston's
compliance with all federal, state and local statutes, regulations,
procedures and principles relating to the purchase, storage, use and
disposal of hazardous chemicals used in UT-Houston's research, clinical
and educational programs.
To certify investigators, their laboratories and their programs for
work with hazardous chemicals. Designated high-risk activities may not
proceed without the written consent of the Committee.
To recommend to the EVPR the need for general and specific training
programs for research, clinical and teaching activities dealing with
hazardous chemicals, and to review the appropriateness and effectiveness
of such UT-Houston's training programs.
To submit reports, at least annually, to the EVPR recommending measures
to control potential chemical hazards and to ensure compliance with
all applicable regulations.
