Safety
Safety is of central importance in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Ensuring a safe workplace is the joint responsibility of all coworkers, faculty, and administrators. The Department supports a strongly proactive approach to safety concerns.
You can report a safety concern by clicking on the adjacent picture.
Prior to starting experimental work, all new laboratory coworkers must complete the assigned online safety training modules, read the relevant safety documents, and sign the appropriate forms.
Summary of coworker requirements before starting laboratory work:
The specific requirements for appropriate online and other training varies with the nature of the research you will be conducting (general laboratory, radiation, biological, etc.). The list below summarizes the steps required for all coworkers.
- Before starting laboratory work, all coworkers must take the assigned online safety training modules in complyND (https://comply.nd.edu). The courses are assigned by the Department's Safety Coordinator, Mary Prorok (mprorok@nd.edu).
- Read the University's Laboratory Safety Manual including the Chemical Hygiene Plan (riskmanagement.nd.edu/assets/444903/laboratory_safety_manual_with_the_chemical_hygiene_plan.pdf) as well as all other safety manuals pertinent to the planned laboratory work. These can include:
- Biosafety Manual (https://riskmanagement.nd.edu/assets/444899/nd_biosafety_manual_final_2015.pdf)
- Radiation Safety Manual (https://riskmanagement.nd.edu/assets/444980/radiation_safety_manual_aw_6_9_16.pdf)
- Laser & Ultraviolet Light Sources Safety (https://riskmanagement.nd.edu/assets/457091/laser_procedure_and_uv_procedure_review_4_17_1_.pdf)
- Consult with your faculty supervisor regarding the specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy of his/her laboratory and sign the Lab Personnel PPE Knowledge Certification form which is furnished by your supervisor.
- Read any laboratory specific protocols and/or standard operating procedures, and undertake any laboratory- or equipment-specific requirements for safety training.
- Consult with your faculty supervisor on the Working-Alone Policy for their laboratory, and, if applicable, submit the "Researcher Consent Form for Working Alone on High-Risk Activities" to Mary Prorok at mprorok@nd.edu.
McCourtney/Stepan/Nieuwland Halls Safety Committee
The majority of our Department's laboratory researchers work in either McCourtney, Stepan, or Nieuwland Halls. The Safety Committee seeks to unify and simplify safety policy across these research facilities. Committee members are:
McCourtney Hall Representatives
- Melanie DeFord (mdeford@nd.edu)
- Merlin Bruening (mbruening@nd.edu)
- Barry Cybulsk (bcybulsk@nd.edu)
- Brian Blagg (bblagg@nd.edu)
- Jason Hicks (jhicks3@nd.edu)
- Jeremy Zartman (Jeremiah.Zartman.3@nd.edu)
Stepan/Nieuwland Hall Representatives
- Mary Prorok (mprorok@nd.edu)
- Paul Huber (phuber@nd.edu)
- Prashant Kamat (pkamat@nd.edu)
- Allen Oliver (aoliver2@nd.edu)
- Steve Wietstock (swietsto@nd.edu)
It is the expectation that all researchers in McCourtney Hall, Stepan Hall, or Nieuwland Hall observe the following criteria:
