The Biosafety Committee advises the Director of the Environmental Health and Safety Center on matters relating to the safety and use of biohazards, including, but not limited to:

• Communicable infectious agents in animals or plants;
• Regulated human and animal body fluids;
• Sharps (needles, scalpels, etc.);
  Pathological waste;
• Recombinant DNA (The Biosafety Committee also functions as an “Institutional Biosafety Committee” in accordance with National Institute of Health requirements. In this regard the Biosafety Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving recombinant DNA projects);
• Venomous reptiles, arachnids, and insects;
• Toxins originating from bacterial, fungal, plant, animal, or other organisms, and
• Assuring compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen rule.

The Biosafety Committee is composed of nine members, at least three of who should be from the College of Veterinary Medicine. Terms of membership are for three years with three committee members replaced each year. Appointments are made by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business. The Biosafety Officer and EH&S Director serves as ex officio members of the Committee.

During the last meeting of the year, the Committee elects a Vice Chair. After one year the Vice Chair ascends to the position of Chair. The frequency of the Biosafety meetings should be commensurate with the volume of protocols needing review, the nature and risk of the research, and the need for continuing oversight.