University Laboratory Safety Council

Stony Brook University places the highest emphasis on protecting the environment and health and safety of all persons who work in or visit our facilities. The University requires all employees, students and visitors to strictly adhere to required laboratory safety practices and procedures as established by the University, State and Federal regulations.

The University Laboratory Safety Council (ULSC) was established as a Presidential Committee on October 23, 2008. Members were charged with reviewing and establishing policies and procedures pertaining to laboratory safety, and to present these recommendations to the President. The 21 members of the ULSC represent all parts of campus with a diverse expertise and perspective in all areas of laboratory safety (see Members below). The ULSC is dedicated to assisting the Administration in improving the safety culture at Stony Brook University. Please use the links below to learn more about the ULSC.

• ULSC Responsibilities

  The University Laboratory Safety Council (ULSC) reports to the University President and is a multidisciplinary committee of faculty, staff, and students representing academic, research, clinical laboratories and administrative areas.

  The ULSC is responsible for the following issues at all University sites:

  1. Set laboratory safety policies with the guidance of EH&S on regulatory compliance and best practices.
  2. Review compliance with laboratory safety policies.
  3. Review laboratory incidents and corrective actions presented to the committee by departments or EH&S, and assist with implementation when necessary.
  4. Unresolved compliance issues or egregious issues will be forwarded by departments or EH&S to the committee for review and action.
  5. Review emerging laboratory safety and health issues for benchmarking against best practices.
  6. Report annually to the President on the status of the laboratory safety program.
• ULSC Members

  Appointments and changes in appointments to the University Laboratory Safety Council (ULSC) are approved by the President. The committee chair is appointed by the President for a two year term. Members are appointed for a two year term. Appointees are nominated by EH&S, the individual departments, or the committee chair.

  • Administrative Representative (1)
  • At-large Members (2)
  • Building Manager's Group (1)
  • Campus Operations and Maintenance (1)
  • College of Arts and Sciences (3)
  • Department of Microbiology (1)
  • Environmental Health & Safety (1)
  • Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) (1)
  • Graduate School / Students (1)
  • Healthcare Safety (1)
  • Hospital Clinical Laboratories (1)
  • School of Dental Medicine (1)
  • School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (2)
  • School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences / Southampton (1)
  • School Of Medicine (2)
• ULSC Subcommittees

  Laboratory Closeout Subcommittee

  This subcommittee was established to develop a university-wide policy for procedures that lab directors must follow when they are closing or vacating a laboratory.

  Laboratory Equipment Subcommittee

  This subcommittee was established to identify equipment and services that should be included in all laboratories and maintained by the University.

  Laboratory Inspection Subcommittee

  This subcommittee was created as a means to communicate laboratory safety awareness directly with the University community via individual laboratory visits/inspections, a ULSC website and safety brochures.

  Laboratory Environment Subcommittee

  This is a new subcommittee that was established at the September 21, 2010 meeting to investigate facility conditions (lighting, HVAC, emergency power) that can affect safety in the laboratories.

• ULSC Meetings

   At each regular meeting of the ULSC, the agenda shall consist of the following items:

  1. Minutes from the previous meeting.
  2. Report from the Biosafety Officer and Chemical Hygiene Officer
  3. Reports from subcommittees
  4. Policy Review
  5. Enforcement Issues
  6. Report of new laboratory activities, areas of research, and facility modifications
  7. New issues included in meeting agenda

  The Committee will meet quarterly.  Additional meetings can be scheduled as needed by the Chair.

  To establish a quorum and conduct business, at least one-half of the Committee's membership must be present, including the Chair or Co-chair and one representative from EH&S. 

• ULSC Past Initiatives

  Minors Working with Hazardous Materials in Research Laboratories Policy

  The first ULSC policy initiative was forwarded for administrative review at the end of 2009 and subsequently approved as University Policy P616 in July 2010. This policy outlines clear procedures and supervision requirements to protect minors working in a potentially dangerous laboratory environment. View more information about this policy.

  Laboratory Closeout Plan

  This plan was recently approved by the ULSC and was forwarded for administrative review in February 2011. This plan will provide the basis for an EH&S Policy & Procedure that laboratory directors must follow when they are closing or vacating a laboratory. View the Laboratory Closeout Plan

• Lab Safety Contacts

  Stephen Walker

  ULSC Chair

  School of Dental Medicine

  Tel: (631) 632-8916

  E-mail: stephen.walter@stonybrookmedicine.edu

  ______________________________________

  Gary Kaczmarczyk

  AVP EH&S, Responsible Official

  Tel: (631) 632-6410

  E-mail: Gary.Kaczmarczyk@stonybrook.edu

  _______________________________________

  Michelle Kehoe

  Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

  Tel: (631) 632-9676

  E-mail: Michelle.Kehoe@stonybrook.edu

  _______________________________________

  Walter Julias

  Laboratory Safety & Hazardous Waste Manager

  Tel: (631) 632-3739

  E-mail: Walter.Julias@stonybrook.edu