Policy on Reporting Non-Compliance

Background

Recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid research must be done in accordance with the current edition of the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules. Infectious Agent research must be done following the guidelines issues in the NIH/CDC publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. Significant issues of non-compliance are reportable to the NIH and to the relevant funding agency.

It is the responsibility of Tufts University to ensure that all people involved in this type of research at Tufts are qualified and trained in the correct handling, storage and disposal of biohazardous materials.

Whistleblower Policy

In accordance with the regulations and institutional policy, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) has provided the following methods that may be used to report any deficiency or non-compliance with the use of biohazardous materials at this institution. After a report is received, both the investigation and resolution (if determined to be warranted), will be reported in the IBC’s Minutes. Verification will be provided to the complainant (if known) that the report has been received and the issue is under investigation.

1. A report can be made to any of the following:
   
   

   • The Grafton IBC Chair: Dr. Sawkat Anwer at (508) 839-8788,

   • The Boston/Medford IBC Chair: Dr. Cheleste Thorpe at (617) 636-0245,

   • The Director of the Environmental Health and Safety office, Stephen Larson, at (617) 636-2193

   • The Biosafety Officers: Dr. Ryan Schlimgen at (508) 887-4483, Kathy Joseph at (617) 636-0964, or Darin Goodwin at (617) 636-2426,

   • The IACUC/IBC Manager: Valerie Parkison at (617) -636-5612, or

   • The Institutional Officials: Dr. Diane L. Souvaine at (617) 627-2225 or Susan Blanchard at (617) 636-5480.
     
     Reported issues will be addressed immediately and appropriate solutions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

2. A report can be made anonymously by leaving a message with a hotline at (617) 636-2492 or providing a written complaint to any of the people named above. Anonymous reports will be handled in the same fashion as other reports.