Safety
Safety is a core value in the Department of Biological Sciences. Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment is a shared responsibility among all faculty, staff, students, and researchers. The department fosters a proactive culture of safety, encouraging everyone to identify, report, and address potential hazards before they lead to incidents.
Department Safety Plan
The department’s Safety Plan assists faculty, staff, and students in maintaining a safe work, research, and laboratory environment. It aims to reduce the risk to the community of incurring adverse health effects. Ensuring a safe workplace is the collective responsibility of all coworkers—staff, students, and faculty.
Biological Sciences Safety Plan
Summary of Requirements Before Beginning Laboratory Work
Before beginning any laboratory or field work, all new members are required to complete the designated online safety training modules and review the relevant safety documents.
The specific safety and training requirements depend on the type of laboratory you will be working in (e.g., teaching laboratories or research laboratories classified as Biosafety Level 1, 2, or 3). However, all faculty, students, researchers, and staff members must complete the following baseline steps before beginning any laboratory work:
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Complete assigned online training in eNDeavor.
Courses from eNDeavor are assigned by the Department Safety Coordinator, Temitope Adeyemi-Kayode (tadeyemi@nd.edu). -
Review core university safety documents.
Read the University’s Biosafety Manual and Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan. -
Confirm lab-specific PPE requirements.
Consult your faculty supervisor to understand and follow the Personal Protective Equipment policy for your laboratory. -
Read lab protocols and complete equipment training.
Review all laboratory-specific protocols and standard operating procedures, and complete any required laboratory or equipment safety training.
Injury, Illness, Incident, and Near Miss Procedures
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In the event of a fire, serious injury, or other life-threatening situation, call Emergency Assistance at 911. When a biological, chemical, or radioactive spill occurs, or you encounter another hazardous situation, such as a possible gas leak, call Risk Management at 1-5037 (574-631-5037) or Notre Dame Police at 1-5555 (574-641-5555).
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Remember to have your name, phone number, location, and any other relevant information readily available at the time of the call. It is important to inform the emergency responders if anyone has been injured or if there has been personal exposure.
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After contacting the appropriate emergency responders, you should alert your supervisor and/or the chair's office during business hours at 1-7058 (574-631-7058).
Emergency Contacts
- EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: 911 or 1-5555 from a campus phone or 574-631-5555 from a cell phone
- Medical Emergency: 911 or 1-5555 (574-631-5555)
- Fire: 911 or 1-5555 (574-631-5555)
- Hazardous/Radioactive Material Spill: Risk Management and Safety 1-5037 (574-631-5037)
- Criminal Activity: 1-5555 (574-631-5555)
- Risk Management and Safety: 1-5037 (574-631-5037)
- Urgent Maintenance Requests:
- During business hours: Nick Hathaway (see below)
- After hours: Campus Security at 1-5555
Facilities Program Manager
Name: Nick Hathaway
Email: nhathawa@nd.edu
Office: 197 Galvin Life Science Center/Freimann Life Science Center
Phone: 574-631-8579
Autoclave Operation and Safety
Safety Committee
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Ronald Hellenthal
Professor Emeritus, Biological Sciences
157A Jordan Hall Of Science
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Nancy Horvath
Manager Dept. Administration, Biological Sciences
100F Galvin Life Science Center/Freimann Life Science Center
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Joseph O'Tousa
Emeritus Professor
262 Galvin Life Science Center/Freimann Life Science Center
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Jeffrey Schorey
George B. Craig Jr. Professor
126 Galvin Life Science Center/Freimann Life Science Center
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Kevin Vaughan
Associate Professor
057 Galvin Life Science Center/Freimann Life Science Center