Department of Biology Safety and Compliance Guidelines
This section of the website provides the USF Departmentof Biology researchers, instructors,
students and staff with information and links to the necessary guidelines and information in order
to work more safely with dangerous materials. When carrying out normal activities,
departmental members may come in contact with hazardous chemicals, biological agents,
and radioactive materials.
- The College Office of Facilities, Safety and Security has information,
forms and links to University and College safety sites.
- The Division of Research Integrity & Compliance is responsible
for many areas of safety concern at the University of South Florida including: human
subjects, animal care, biosafety, radiation safety, and diving programs.
- The Division of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible
for safety, chemical safety, chemical inventory, hazardous waste, risk management
and workers' compensation, as well as hurricane preparedness for laboratories.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available through the
HITS system. See your lab manager or PI for access to the HITS system.
The Department Safety webpages have links to those procedures and forms that are
specific to the Department of Biology such as emergency and boating safety forms and procedures (see links to the left). For information on
vehicle and autoclave scheduling and use, please contact Ray Martinez. These policies were determined by the Biology Safety Committee.
If a person in the lab is not an employee or a student, then they need to be registered
with the University as a Volunteer. Volunteer status has a number of ramifications
with the University, including Workers Compensation, so please be sure to talk to
a Departmental or Division administrator concerning this topic.
If you are looking for information that was formerly contained on the Department
of Biology safety webpages, please go to the College of Arts and Sciences Office
of Facilities, Safety and Security website (see Useful Links) where you will find the information or links.