Biosafety Committee:
Incident Reporting

Reporting any lab incidents in a timely manner is a critical part of the research process, and it’s required by both the National Institutes of Health guidelines and University of Rhode Island policies. Incident reports help to protect the health and safety of researchers, lab staff, university employees and the general public, and are key to assessing the biggest essential training and resource needs of the university.

Principal investigators, co-PIs, and lab supervisors/staff can submit reports. Contact the IBC  researchintegrity@etal.uri.edu  or (401) 874-4328 if you need help determining if the incident is reportable.
 
 
Reportable Incidents: 

To Report Any On-Campus Emergency:

  • Emergency: (401) 874-2121
  • Routine: (401) 874-7993

Immediate Action:

If personnel exposure to infectious agents or rDNA: 

  • Splash to eyes: Flush with water at eyewash for 10 minutes
  • Needlesticks, cuts, scratches, animal bites: Wash area with soap and water for 10 minutes
  • Perform first aid, if applicable
  • Notify supervisor
  • Seek medical evaluation as soon as possible after an exposure.
  • Document exposures, injuries, and illnesses in the URI Injury/Illness/Exposure Report.

If release of or loss of transgenic plants, animals or materials, spill outside of biosafety cabinet or inappropriate waste disposal:

  • Clean up spill per lab protocols if small spill or spill inside biosafety cabinet, Contact EH&S (401-255-8200) if assistance is needed
  • Contact Institutional Biosafety Officer to report theft, breach in containment of rDNA or biological materials

Reporting Responsibilities

Individual:

  • Immediately report the incident to the Principal Investigator and the Institutional Biosafety Officer Connie Heird. 
  • If medical attention is required contact (401) 874-2121
  • Individual along with supervisor must file an Injury/Illness/Exposure Reporting form. 

Principal Investigator:

Biosafety Officer:

  • The Biosafety Officer will investigate the incident and prepare a report for the Institutional Biosafety Committee
  • Will review the incident and set measures to mitigate the problem and preclude its re-occurrence

Office of Research Integrity: 

  • Report to appropriate federal agencies as deemed necessary