K-State's Institutional Biosafety Committee, or IBC, in accordance with federal regulations, reviews and approves elements of use of biohazards agents on campus. Biosafety Level 2, or BSL-2, laboratory inspections are occurring now through December 2017.

Activities that fall under the oversight of the IBC include use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids and all activities involving teaching and research with microbiological agents and toxins of biological origin.

Appropriate biosafety practices are critical in minimizing any risk to our researchers, students, and community. The process by which a laboratory handles, stores, uses, and transports biohazardous materials is a major focus of the IBC. Laboratory visits are an important way in which the IBC evaluates compliance with BSL-2 containment standards in accordance with the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 5 th ed. (BMBL), the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), and K-State Environmental Health and Safety’s Prudent Practices in Laboratory Safety .

What to expect during and after a visit

  • BSL-2 Laboratory compliance visits are routine and are scheduled in advance.
  • Two members of the IBC will coordinate with your college environmental health and safety contact to schedule and plan the visit, which typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Before the visit, you will receive the checklist that the IBC uses, plus a list of common findings. 
  • IBC members will tour the lab space and review the laboratory biosafety manual and training records for your staff. Committee members will ask questions about your standard operating procedures and containment practices to ensure they are consistent with what the IBC has approved.
  • When the visit is complete, you will receive a list of any concerns or findings that were identified and a timeline for correction. The expectation (and our experience) is that the vast majority of findings are minor and can be easily corrected. Members of the IBC and the University Research Compliance Office are available to answer questions and help your lab in making any necessary corrections.
  
If you have specific questions regarding these inspections, do not hesitate to contact our office. Call 532-3224 or email comply@ksu.edu .

— Cheryl Doerr, associate vice president for research compliance