Safety & Health Specialist - Biological Safety Division

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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) provides the focus for the administration of all safety programs to Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke University Health System. OESO has the responsibility for developing institutional safety and environmental plans and policies; providing information and training to meet all regulatory requirements; providing technical consultation and guidance; conducting exposure and risk assessments;

conducting safety and environmental audits; monitoring compliance with all safety and environmental policies; and investigating accidents, injuries, spills, environmental releases, and reported unsafe conditions.

Specific to the Biological Safety Division: The OESO Biological Safety Division addresses the safety and well-being of Duke personnel regarding potential occupational exposure to biological materials such as blood borne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, etc.), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), biologically-derived toxins, recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids, Select Agents and Toxins, etc. This is accomplished through the development and implementation of policies and procedures, safety training and oversight measures that are intended to provide guidance for worker safety when handling biological materials.

Current regulatory requirements and safety guidelines inform the development of these measures, enabling a safe and secure workplace.

Primary Purpose of Position: The Biological Safety Division helps coordinate the programs for evaluating, controlling, or eliminating both health and safety hazards in the medical center and university environments. The Safety and Health Specialist uses the principles of recognition, prevention, control, and monitoring to assure employees use the proper techniques to protect themselves and others from the risks associated with exposure to biological agents.

Additionally, the Safety and Health Specialist provides biological safety training and instruction to university and medical center personnel and performs a variety of duties related to the development of safety policies and programs. This position reports directly to the Director of the Biological Safety Division of the OESO.

General Duties and Responsibilities: In addition to the primary duties, the Safety and Health Specialist will:

• Serve as a primary resource regarding health and safety within the laboratory environment
• Conduct laboratory safety audits in both research, clinical, and teaching laboratories---specifically in BSL2/BSL3 environments.
• Performs a variety of duties related to the prevention, control, and monitoring of occupational exposure to biological agents.
• Communicate recommendations (verbal and written) for improvement to the laboratory regarding safety of laboratory staff.
• Develop and provide various laboratory safety training programs; training and application of safety requirements for individualized work environments are communicated to lab employees.
• Communicate federal, state and local regulations accurately and effectively to insure safety compliance.
• Perform accident investigations and work with departments to correct safety hazards and develop preventative procedures.
• Perform Job Hazard and/or Procedural Assessments and recommend measures to control exposures, including substitution of less hazardous materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), work practice changes, and engineering controls. Provide follow-up assessment of recommendations.
• Make recommendations with respect to equipment purchase, engineering controls, workspace planning and work process planning.
• Develop reports documenting observations, sampling results, and recommendations for OESO and Duke independently. Assist lower level employees in developing reports and recommendations. Compile and present reports to management related to safety and health…