NIH POLICY MANUAL

1340 - NIH Occupational Safety and Health Management
Issuing Office: ORS/DOHS 301-496-2960
Release Date: 2/27/06


  1. Explanation of Material Transmitted: This chapter establishes the scope and objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Program and details the responsibilities of NIH personnel to foster a safe work environment.
  1. Filing Instructions:

Remove: NIH Manual 1340, dated 11/29/96
Insert: NIH Manual Chapter 1340 dated 2/27/06

PLEASE NOTE: For information on:


A. Purpose:

This chapter outlines the scope, objectives, and responsibilities of employees for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Occupational Safety and Health Management Program. It represents the NIH commitment to actively promote a comprehensive and effective Occupational Safety and Health Program and provides the foundation for the development and maintenance of the various program components.

B. Policy:

The objective of the Program is to assign responsibility to support the development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Program that reflects the NIH policy to:

Provide the highest practical degree of safety and health for employees in all activities of the NIH;

Minimize losses in property damage and human resources due to accident, injury, or illness; and

Comply with Public Law 91-596 (The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970), Executive Order 12196, and other regulations, standards, and guidelines governing the occupational safety and health of HHS employees.

C. Scope:

The objectives and responsibilities set forth in this manual are applicable to all NIH employees and are directed toward providing a comprehensive and effective Occupational Safety and Health Program. Institute and Center (IC) Directors and Supervisors will actively support the Occupational Safety and Health Programs within their respective areas of responsibility and comply with the specified directives and responsibilities. NIH employees will comply with applicable regulations and guidelines; perform their duties in the safest possible manner and report hazards, accidents, injuries and illnesses to the appropriate NIH authorities.
 

D. References:

  1. Executive Order 12196 of February 26, 1980, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees
  1. Public Law 91-596, Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Federal Agency Safety Programs and Responsibilities
  1. Title 10 CFR Part 21, Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance; Section 21.21, Notification of failure to comply or existence of a defect and Section 21.61, Failure to notify; Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  1. Title 29 CFR Subpart G, Part 1910.96, Ionizing Radiation; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor
  1. Title 29 CFR Part 1960, Basic Program Element for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs and Related Matters; OSHA, Department of Labor
  1. Health and Human Services (HHS) Transmittal No. 88.01 Safety Management Manual, Issue Date 09/23/88.

E. Responsibilities:

The Office of Research Services (ORS), through the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOHS), the Division of the Fire Marshal (DFM) and the Division of Radiation Safety (DRS), have overall responsibility for Occupational Safety and Health at NIH. The promotion of safety and health policies, practices and procedures is the responsibility of each member of the NIH Community. Employees are expected to perform their work in a safe manner and to ensure that they do not place themselves, co workers, visitors or support services personnel at risk of injury or illness due to unsafe or unhealthful conditions, actions or infractions. When operating a government or public vehicle, employees are expected to wear seatbelts and obey traffic regulations. When representing the NIH on official business, employees should ensure that their contributions exhibit safety and health concerns.
 

  1. Director, NIH:

a. Through the ORS, DOHS and DRS, provides executive leadership in the development, promulgation and implementation of occupational safety and health policies, standards and procedures applicable to the NIH.

b. Supports a staff necessary to effectively administer a comprehensive occupational safety and health program for NIH.

  1. NIH Safety Committees: (See Appendices 1-4 for charters for the:   1) Occupational Safety and Health Committee, 2) IC Safety and Health Committees, 3) Institutional Biosafety Committee and 4) Radiation Safety Committee, at the National Institutes of Health.

a. Assist the Director, NIH, the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, Division of the Fire Marshal and the Division of Radiation Safety in providing oversight required for compliance with applicable safety and health laws and regulations.

b. Assist with the organization and administration of the NIH Occupational Safety and Health Program.

c. Provide technical advice, assistance, and management-level support; recommend and set policies regarding occupational safety and health as authorized by the Director, NIH.

d. Provide the foundation for the development and maintenance of a Safety and Health Committee in each IC.

e.  Provide a means by which employees can use their knowledge of workplace operations to assist management in the improvement of policies, conditions, and practices.

  1. Office of Research Services:

a. Serves as the primary operational component in developing and implementing NIH-wide safety and health programs through surveillance, consultation, training, and education.

b. Provides administrative management for the comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Program in compliance with NIH policy and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. 

c. Prepares and coordinates the NIH position on proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to safety and industrial hygiene, fire safety, occupational safety and health, education, training, promotion, etc., that are applicable to the NIH. Activities for engineering and environmental hazards control are provided through the Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations.

d. Monitors, investigates, prepares reports and maintains records of NIH work related injuries and illnesses. Develops and implements methods to prevent these work related losses. Conducts and/or assists in the conduct of investigations of hazardous conditions.  Engineering issues pertinent to the NIH are managed by the Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations.

e. Performs workplace reviews as are considered appropriate to evaluate compliance with occupational safety and health policies and procedures.

f. Provides technical assistance to NIH employees at all levels of responsibility on matters pertaining to the Occupational Safety and Health Program. Assesses the need for and develops training programs to promote occupational safety and health.

  1. Supervisors (all levels throughout NIH):

a. Ensure and promote safety in the work area under their jurisdiction.

b. Comply with and enforce all applicable occupational safety and health standards, rules, regulations and orders by competent authority pertaining to the activities under their jurisdiction.

c. Ensure that employees are instructed and/or trained in safe practices and methods of job performance as such pertain to their assignments. Ensure that all visitors and support services personnel are appropriately informed about the existence of hazards present and special precautions required to prevent adverse exposure to these hazards.  Acquire the knowledge and information needed to recognize and control hazardous conditions in the workplace. Select and employ standard operating procedures that reduce the potential for injury or illness to the lowest practicable level.

d. Ensure that employees performing official duties and who become ill or are injured on the job have access to appropriate first aid and/or medical attention.

e. Investigate and report each accident and/or injury in accordance with established procedures. Initiate within the limit of their authority and capability, such actions necessary to correct unsafe or unhealthful working conditions determined to exist and promptly advise management when such conditions require corrective actions beyond their jurisdiction.

f. Review work practices to ensure compliance with such standards, codes, regulations, rules, and orders identified by occupational safety and health personnel as being applicable to the work area concerned.

g. Obtain assistance from the appropriate occupational safety and health personnel on the interpretation and application of specific standards, codes, regulations, or rules.

h. Ensure that employees under their supervision are aware of their responsibilities and follow the appropriate procedures for conducting their work safely.

  1. Employees:

a. Comply with all occupational safety and health standards, rules, regulations, orders, and safe operating procedures applicable to the NIH.

b. Promptly advise the supervisor regarding all work related accidents resulting in personal injury, illness, and/or property damage.

c. Promptly report to the supervisor, appropriate occupational safety and health personnel and/or IC Safety and Health Committee Members, any unsafe or unhealthful conditions in the work environment.

F. Reporting Occupational Safety and Health Concerns:

  1. Employees are encouraged to report legitimate concerns for their occupational safety and health and may do so without fear of any form of reprisal.
  1. Employees may request an inspection of their workplace by giving notice of alleged unsafe or unhealthful conditions directly to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.  Employees may request such an inspection anonymously.
  1. NIH employees shall report any unsafe or unhealthful condition to their Supervisor, the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, Division of Radiation Safety, Division of the Fire Marshall, and/or IC Safety and Health Committee Members. Reports involving physical, chemical, or biological hazards shall be reported to the Division of Occupational Health and Safety. Reports involving radiation hazards shall be reported to the Division of Radiation Safety (see the NIH Telephone and Service Directory for information). Employees will be notified by their supervisor, Division of Occupational Health and Safety, Division of Radiation Safety, or Division of the Fire Marshall personnel of the actions taken in response to their report of unsafe or unhealthful conditions.
  1. All reports of job-related accidents, personal injury, or illnesses are initiated through the Occupational Medical Service (OMS), Division of Occupational Health and Safety, when the injured party presents to the OMS. The OMS will ensure that appropriate accident report forms are completed, filed, and appropriately distributed.
  1. Employees may also report alleged unsafe and unhealthful conditions to the Health and Human Services (HHS) designated Safety and Health Official or applicable agencies outside the HHS (Department of Labor, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

G. Additional Information:

For further information on this manual chapter, contact the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, Office of Research Services on 301-496-2346.

H. Records Retention and Disposal:

All records (e mail and non e mail) pertaining to this chapter must be retained and disposed of under the authority of NIH Manual 1743 "Keeping and Destroying Records," Appendix 1, NIH Records Control Schedule, Item 1300B and 2300-792 Safety and Health Programs.

NIH e mail messages. NIH e mail messages (messages, including attachments, that are created on NIH computer systems or transmitted over NIH networks) that are evidence of the activities of the agency or have informational value are considered Federal records. These records must be maintained in accordance with current NIH Records Management guidelines. Contact your IC Records Officer for additional information.

All e mail messages are considered Government property, and, if requested for a legitimate Government purpose, must be provided to the requestor. Employees' supervisors, NIH staff conducting official reviews or investigations, and the Office of Inspector General may request access to or copies of the e mail messages. E mail messages must also be provided to Congressional oversight committees if requested and are subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. Since most e mail systems have back up files that are sometimes retained for significant periods of time, e mail messages and attachments may be retrievable from a back up file after they have been deleted from an individual's computer. The back up files are subject to the same requests as the original messages.

I. Management Controls:

The purpose of this manual issuance is to outline the scope, objectives, and responsibilities of employees for the NIH, Occupational Safety and Health Management Program.

  1. Office Responsible for Reviewing Management Controls Relative to this Chapter (Issuing Office): Through this manual issuance, the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) is accountable for the method used to ensure that management controls are implemented and working.


  2. Frequency of Review (in years):  Annual Review


  3. Method of Review:  Other Review: The DOHS will maintain oversight and ensure effective implementation and compliance with this policy through annual IC worksite safety surveys and the OSHA annual Agency report on occupational safety and health issues.


  4. Summary Reports are sent annually to:  Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.

Appendix 1. Charter for the NIH Occupational Safety and Health Committee:

The NIH Occupational Safety and Health Committee (OSHC) provides safety policy recommendations to the Director of the NIH, or his/her designee, in matters pertaining to occupational health, accident control and fire prevention.

Duties of the Committee:

  1. Meets quarterly, or more often as required, to identify substantive biomedical research areas and institutional support programs where occupational health, safety and fire hazards may exist.
  1. Recommends policies regarding occupational health, accident control, and fire prevention.
  1. Provides technical advice, assistance and management-level support to the Directors of the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), Division of Radiation Safety (DRS) and the Division of Fire the Marshal (DFM) in matters regarding occupational health, accident control and fire prevention.
  1. Encourages the development of and supports the activities of IC Safety and Health Committees and maintains liaison with these committees.
  1. Monitors and reviews inspection reports, safety and health training programs; plans for abating hazards, medical surveillance initiatives, reports of occupationally acquired illnesses and injuries, responses to reports of hazardous conditions, safety and health program deficiencies and complaints regarding safety and health programs.
  1. Provides to the Director, NIH, or his/her designee a summary report reviewing the results of the annual workplace inspections of all NIH facilities.
  1. Conducts annual reviews of the NIH Chemical Hygiene Plan and performs Committee responsibilities as specified in the Plan.


  2. Establishes working groups and appoints ad hoc members to the Committee, as necessary, to effectively carry out its duties.

Membership and Organization of the Committee:

The Committee is composed of 10 or more voting members appointed by the Director of the NIH or his/her designee.

All members should be recognized as persons of good judgment and should represent the diversity of occupational areas and accident experience of the NIH. The disciplines of chemistry, toxicology and medicine must be represented on the Committee. At least 5 members are selected from among the current chairpersons of established IC Safety and Health Committees. One member should be an Intramural Principal Administrative Officer, to provide an administrative perspective and approach. One member is the American Federation of Governmental Employees (AFGE) Health and Safety Officer from the NIH Local. The Director, Division of Occupational Health and Safety or his/her designee, serves as Executive Secretary. The Director, Division of Environmental Protection, Director Division of Fire Marshal, Medical Director, Occupational Medical Service, DOHS, and a representative appointed by the Director, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations, serve as permanent, non-voting, resource members of the Committee. The Director of the NIH or his/her designee selects the Chairperson from among the Committee membership. The Chairperson serves a two- year term. The members serve overlapping terms of three years duration. The Chairperson and members may be reappointed for additional terms.
 

Appendix 2. Charter for the IC Safety and Health Committees:

A. Purpose:

The promotion of safety and health policies, practices and procedures is the responsibility of each member of the NIH Community. Employees are expected to perform their work safely and not place themselves or others at risk of injury or illness due to unsafe or unhealthy conditions, actions or infractions. This policy establishes guidelines to assist each Institute and Center (IC) in conveying NIH occupational safety and health regulations to ensure compliance with NIH Manual 1340. It represents the NIH commitment to actively promote a comprehensive and effective Occupational Safety and Health Program and provides the foundation for the development and maintenance of a Safety and Health Committee in each IC. Each IC is required to establish an IC Safety and Health Committee.

B. References:

1. NIH Manual 1340, NIH Occupational Safety and Health Management.

2. Public Law 91-596, Williams-Steiger, Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Federal Agency Safety Programs and Responsibilities.

3. Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 21, Reporting of Defects and Non-compliance; Section 21.21, Notification of failure to comply or existence of a defect and Section 21.61, Failure to notify; Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

4. Title 29 CFR Subpart G, Part 1910.96, Ionization Radiation; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor.

5. Title 29 CFR Part 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs and Related Matters; Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor.

6. Health and Human Services (HHS) Transmittal No. 87.01, Safety Management Manual, Issue Date 9/18/87.

7. Executive Order 12196 of February 26, 1980, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees.



C. Scope:

The objectives and responsibilities set forth in this policy are applicable to all NIH employees and are directed toward providing a comprehensive and effective IC Safety and Health Committee Program. IC Directors and Supervisors will actively support the IC Safety and Health Committee within their respective areas of responsibility and comply with the specified directives and responsibilities. NIH employees will perform their duties in the safest practical manner and report hazards, accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses to the appropriate NIH authorities as detailed in Manual 1340.

D. Policy:

The IC Safety and Health Committee serves as a conduit for communication between the IC employees, management, the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) and the Division of Radiation Safety (DRS) concerning occupational safety and health matters. The objective of the IC Safety and Health Committee is to support the development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Program that reflects NIH policy to:



• provide the highest practical degree of occupational safety and health for employees in all activities of the NIH;

• minimize losses in human resources and property damage due to accident, injury or work-related illness; and

• comply with Public Law 91-596 (The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970), Executive Order 12196, and other regulations, standards and guidelines governing the occupational safety and health of HHS employees.



E. Responsibility:

The IC Safety and Health Committee will report to the IC Director through the Scientific Director. In those ICs that do not have a Scientific Director, a senior administrator, appointed by the IC Director, will serve to facilitate safety related communication between the Committee and the IC Director. The IC Safety and Health Committee in an effort to monitor and assist in the execution of the NIH's safety and health policies and programs shall:



1. Meet at least on a quarterly basis and report through the Scientific Director to the IC Director.

2. Keep minutes of all IC Safety and Health Committee meetings, distribute the minutes to all members and the IC Scientific Director, and make copies available upon request, to IC employees.

3. Monitor performance of safety and health activities of the IC and make recommendations to the IC Scientific Director on the effectiveness of these activities.

4. Develop policies and programs in coordination with the DOHS and the DRS specific to the IC in regard to occupational safety and health matters.

5. Perform annual workplace surveys with the assistance of the DOHS to assure compliance with NIH and OSHA safety and health policies and standards. These surveys will be conducted using standardized criteria developed by the DOHS. A corrective action plan will be prepared and implemented, addressing any deficiencies found during the survey. The IC will disseminate the results of these surveys and corrective actions to the IC Scientific Director, NIH Occupational Safety and Health Committee (OSHC) and the Director of the Office of Intramural Research, as appropriate.

6. Develop procedures for handling occupational safety and health suggestions, recommendations and reports of hazardous conditions from IC employees.

7. Review and comment on proposed NIH policies, guidelines and standards concerning occupational safety and health as requested by the OSHC.

8. Assist in the development of prevention strategies for work related accidents resulting in personal injury, illness and/or property damage.

9. Assist the Office of Intramural Research, the DOHS and the DRS in the dissemination of safety information in the event of an emergency or on an as-needed basis.



F. Membership and Organization of the Committee:

The Committee is composed of IC employees selected by the IC Scientific Director or his/her designee, who represent the diverse occupational areas of the organization. Membership shall include (where applicable), but not be limited to the following individuals.



• Senior research personnel

• Principal Administrative Officer

• Facilities management staff

• A representative from each IC operating component (branch, laboratory, etc.)

• Occupational Safety and Health Specialist

• Health Physicist



The IC Scientific Director or his/her designee shall select the chairperson from among the Committee membership. The chairperson serves a two-year term. The members serve overlapping terms of three years duration. The chairperson and members may be reappointed to serve additional terms.

Appendix 3. Charter for the NIH Institutional Biosafety Committee:

The NIH Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) provides recommendations for safety policy to the Safety and Health Council for approval by the Director, NIH, or designee, in matters pertaining to the control of hazards associated with the intramural use of microbiological agents and their vectors and serves as an advisory body to the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), Office of Research Services (ORS).  

Committee functions include those designated for the Institutional Biosafety Committee in the NIH Guidelines  for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules.

Duties of the Committee:

  1. Recommends policies regarding biosafety to the Deputy Director Intramural Research and the Director, NIH.
  1. Provides technical advice, assistance, and management-level support to the DOHS, ORS, and to the NIH Biosafety Officer in matters regarding biosafety.
  1. Identifies substantive biomedical research areas where biohazards may exist.
  1. Recommends procedures for approving operations involving microbiological agents and their vectors that require maximum containment for biosafety and for agents that, in the judgment of the Committee, may constitute unique or serious hazards.
  1. Performs function of an Institutional Biosafety Committee as specified in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules. 
  1. Reviews accidents resulting in personnel exposures to hazardous microorganisms or widespread area contamination and reports of non-compliance with established national and NIH policies regarding the safe conduct of research involving hazardous microorganisms.
  1. Establishes working groups and appoints ad hoc members to the Committee, as the Committee deems it necessary, to effectively carry out its duties.
  1. Annually reviews the NIH Exposure Control Plan for Non-Hospital Personnel.
  1. Can initiate reviews of emerging biosafety issues of particular interest or concern to the NIH and the surrounding community.  Membership and Organization of the Committee:

Membership and Organization of the Committee:

The Committee is composed of ten members appointed by the Director, NIH, or designee. Six members are nominated from among the intramural research community; five are scientists representing a diversity of disciplines relevant to biomedical research, infectious diseases, and recombinant DNA technology and one is a non doctoral employee from a biomedical research laboratory. Intramural research community members must be senior, tenured researchers within their respective Institutes. The NIH Biosafety Officer is a member and serves as the Executive Secretary. Members are also selected from the general public who are not affiliated with the NIH apart from their membership on the Committee. One member who is nominated by the Director, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations, shall have expertise pertaining to design, operational capability, and maintenance of NIH research facilities. The Director, NIH, or designee selects the chairperson from among the Committee membership. The chairperson serves a two year term. The members serve overlapping terms of three years duration. The chairperson and members may be reappointed for additional terms.

 

Appendix 4. Charter for the NIH Radiation Safety Committee:

A. Mission Statement:

The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) is responsible to the Director, NIH for oversight of the NIH Radiation Safety Program to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials and all sources of ionizing radiation throughout NIH and those NIH-occupied buildings included in the NIH Radiation Safety Program. The RSC is responsible for formulating policy with regard to radiation protection matters in the intramural research program that involve NIH employees and members of the general public, routine clinical and clinical research programs, and protection of the environment to ensure compliance with Federal regulations, including those of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Radioactive Drug Research Committee is a subcommittee of the NIH Radiation Safety Committee. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible to the Director, NIH, for management and operation of the Radiation Safety Program as well as policy directives of the RSC. The RSO and RSC shall be provided sufficient authority, organizational freedom, and management prerogative to accomplish these goals. These responsibilities and authorities are limited to the NIH's intramural research program and client agencies served under USNRC license 19-00296-10.


B. Duties of the Committee:

  1. Ensures the safe use of all radioactive materials and sources of radiation throughout NIH and those NIH-occupied buildings included within the NIH Radiation Safety Program, for the Director, NIH.
  1. Delegates to the NIH Radiation Safety Officer the authority to implement the Radiation Safety Program and enforce applicable Federal regulations and NIH radiation safety policies and procedures to ensure the radiation safety of persons and protection of the environment.
  1. Provides technical advice, assistance, and management-level support to the Radiation Safety Officer in implementing the Radiation Safety Program and the NIH program for maintaining radiation exposures to employees, patients, and research subjects as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
  1. Reviews the Radiation Safety Program at least annually to determine that all activities involving radioactive materials and sources of radiation are being conducted safely and in accordance with applicable Federal regulations and NIH radiation safety policies.
  1. Reviews the qualifications of licensed physicians and grants approval for the use of radioactive materials in human subjects.  If a Committee member is an investigator who may participate in the research being proposed in an application to the Committee, he or she shall abstain from voting on the approval or disapproval of the application.
  1. Performs functions of the Radioactive Drug Research Committee in accordance with applicable regulations of the Food and Drug Administration, DHHS.
  1. Approval of the RSC is required before the initiation of approved clinical research studies involving exposure of human subjects to ionizing radiation for research purposes from which the subject does not benefit, i.e., when normal volunteers or patient volunteers are involved and the use of radiation or radioactive materials is not a standard medical procedure which is required for the clinical management of the patient. Research uses subject to this review shall include all studies involving normal volunteers and experimental procedures for diagnosis or treatment, including uses for which an Investigational New Drug (IND) application is required by the FDA and radioactive research drugs regulated under FDA regulations contained in 10 CFR 361, §361.1.
  1. The Chairperson of the Radiation Safety Committee acts for the Director, NIH, in all matters relating to Federal or state radioactive material or radiation source licensing.
  1. Establishes and revises radiation safety policies, consulting with the Office of the Director through the Management Representative on issues that require involvement of upper level management, e.g., in cases when there is significant potential for impact on the NIH mission.
  1. Establishes working groups and appoints ad hoc members to the Committee, as the Committee deems necessary.

C. Membership and Organization of the Committee: 

The membership of the Committee shall include the following: The Radiation Safety Officer; a representative of the Office of the Director of the NIH who is not an Authorized User (this person serves as the "management representative"); a physician who is Authorized by the RSC for clinical use of radioactive materials; a person who is Authorized by the RSC for the use of radioactive materials in laboratory research; a representative of the nursing service. Members are appointed by the Director of the NIH or his designee. The Medical Board may be consulted to identify nominees for membership on the RSC to represent clinical care areas; the Board of Scientific Directors may be consulted to identify nominees for other positions. Membership shall include representation of the various types of users of radioactive materials and radiation sources at NIH. Additional members may be added to the RSC, upon recommendation of its Chair to enable effective action by the Committee. The following are highly recommended: the Chair of the RDRC; a health or medical physicist with training and experience in radiation dosimetry of radioactive materials administered to humans, a radiopharmacist; physicians with expertise in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy; individuals with these qualifications in the list of mandatory members may serve the RSC in these areas of expertise. Members shall serve three-year terms, with staggered terms to provide for continuity. With the member’s consent, the Chairperson may renew a member’s appointment. The Chairperson’s appointment shall be effective until the Chairperson resigns or until another Chairperson is appointed by the Director, NIH. When members are replaced, new appointees shall be chosen to maintain the balance of members required under 10 CFR 35.

The Division of Radiation Safety shall provide administrative support to the Committee and shall maintain the official Committee files. 

Meetings shall be conducted at a frequency sufficient to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 35. A majority of Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of official Committee business.

 

 

 

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