![]()
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
![]()
Your study involves biohazards if you are administering potentially infectious agents, including work with blood and body fluids. This means that your work needs to be reviewed by the UW Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) or by staff at the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Research and Biological Safety Office (RBSO). The IBC's working definition of a biohazard is:
A potentially hazardous biological agent and its by-products including known agents (bacteria, rickettsia, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and other parasites); animals or materials which contain or may potentially contain known agents or yet unknown agents; human and non-human primate tissue, blood and body fluids and cell culture (primary or continuous) and other animal tissues and body fluids.
The purpose of the IRC's review is to ensure that potentially biohazardous materials are handled safely. The IBC/RBSO will review both your laboratory operation procedures and all staff training that is related to handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of potentially biohazardous materials.
Review is initiated by submitting a completed UW Research Project Hazard Assessment (RPHA) form to the IBC Coordinator, EH&S RBSO, at Box 357165 or FAX at 206-221-3068. Visit the EH&S Website for access to the RPHA form, including instructions for completing and submitting it. The RPHA form is used to identify potential biohazards, the regulations that apply, and the precautions that need to be implemented. Your RPHA form will be reviewed by the IBC and the EH&S RBSO staff.
When your protocol has been reviewed and approved, you'll receive a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) letter with a protocol reference number.
If the hazards associated with your study change during the approval period, contact the IBC Coordinator, EH&S RBSO, at 206-221-7770 to discuss what action you need to take.
Visit the Biological Safety Website for comprehensive information, including standards and guidelines, definitions, and work practices and procedures.
Click to Download Checklist in Word
| PI ___________________________ Study _________________________ |
|
| Determine what form of IBC review is appropriate
for your trial. See options at the EH&S Website. Date____/____/____ |
|
| Complete the Research Project Hazard Assessment (RPHA) form. Date____/____/____ |
|
| Submit the RPHA form to the IBS Coordinator, EH&S RBSO at Box 357165 or FAX at 206-221-3068. Date____/____/____ |
|
| Respond to IBC/staff questions. Date____/____/____ |
|
| Receive a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) letter from the IBC. Date____/____/____ |
|
IBC Coordinator
EH&S RBSO
Box 357165
Phone: 206-221-7770
FAX: 206-221-3068
Web Site:

UW IBC meetings will be held monthly beginning in July, 2009. You will be contacted within three days after your documents have been submitted. Allow 4-6 weeks for IBC/EH&S RBSO review.