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General Information
Courses taught in the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) program may require the use of equipment, chemicals, and biohazards such as blood, body fluids, microbes, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). The laboratory spaces have been designated as Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2), which require additional policies and procedures to be in place in order to ensure the safety of those teaching and preparing for instruction in these areas. Due to potential hazards, the BMS teaching lab spaces have restricted access and require a keycard and/or keys for entry.
A quick guide of BMS Policies outlining personnel training requirements can be found on the Procedure Review Table
The BMS Labs policies and procedures apply to those utilizing the restricted teaching lab spaces for course preparation or instruction. These policies are maintained and updated by the BMS Lab manager, and records of training are managed by the BMS Lab manager for those utilizing space for teaching purposes. Many of these spaces may also be used by individual research labs, and are shared between research and teaching activities. BMS research labs may also utilize these policies and procedures, and records of training used for research purposes shall be maintained by the specific laboratory PI. The BMS teaching labs do not require duplicate training or sign-off on BMS teaching lab policies if an equivalent training has been completed and documented in an individual research laboratory.
Restricted areas listed in these policies include Enderis Hall B70, B72, B76, B78, B80, B86, B88, B90 and B92. Restricted areas containing equiptment, chemicals, and possible biohazardous material include Enderis Hall B70, B76, B78, B80, B86, B88, and B90.
Initial Training
Initial training varies by policy, and requires a designated trainer to sign off that the trainee has been shown to be competent in the applicable procedure. Designated trainers shall be identified by the BMS Labs program or BMS Lab manager, and typically include the BMS Lab manager, PI, or course instructor. Initial training is required for all new staff members, TAs, or others that will be working unsupervised in the BMS labs on course instruction, preparation, clean up, or for those that will be supervising others (i.e. those supervising students). After training with a designated trainer, both the trainer and the trainee sign the applicable Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, with a submission type of “Initial Training Certification”.
Annual Review
After initial training has been completed, procedures must be reviewed annually. Review of policies may occur earlier than one year, and it is recommended that all staff and students complete annual procedure review prior to the beginning of the Fall semester to align with new TA assignments. Annual review is documented by completing the applicable Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, with a submission type of “Annual Procedure Review”.
Training Requirements
Undergraduate/Graduate Students Taking Courses
Students utilizing the BMS lab spaces are provided laboratory specific safety training by the course instructor, and must complete the BMS Labs Safety Agreement Form in paper or electronic format. Copies of these forms are maintained by the specific laboratory course instructor, and are valid for 1 year. Students utilizing the BMS lab spaces for courses are not required to complete any other initial or annual review of the BMS labs policies and procedures, but must be supervised at all times by an individual that has been trained and signed off on all applicable BMS lab procedures.
Course Instructors
Course instructors working in the BMS Lab spaces may include Faculty members, academic staff, or adjunct instructors, and are typically responsible for the supervision of individuals that are not trained on specific BMS lab policies and procedures. All individuals involved in teaching activities in the BMS labs and those that expect to supervise students or others that are not signed off on the BMS Lab policies and procedures must review the applicable procedures, complete initial training by the Lab Manager, PI, course instructor, or designated trainer, and fill out the appropriate Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, with a submission type of “Initial Training Certification”. After initial training, each procedure must be reviewed annually and documented with the Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, submission type “Annual Procedure Review”.
Training records for Academic staff, adjunct instructors, and individuals that do not work in a research lab shall be maintained by the BMS Lab manager. A list detailing which procedures are required can be found on the Procedure Review Table.
If overlapping records exist due to shared spaces between the BMS teaching labs and an individual research lab, training records for Faculty members shall be maintained by the specific PI in their research lab records. The BMS teaching labs do not require duplicate training if an equivalent training has been completed and documented in an individual research laboratory. Any records required only for BMS teaching lab policies shall be maintained by the BMS Lab manager.
Course Teaching Assistants (TAs)
Teaching assistants (TAs) assigned to courses change frequently, and typically consist of graduate students working in a BMS Faculty research lab. TAs work directly with the course instructor, and may also be responsible for preparation of course supplies, supervision of students during lab work, and clean up after lab. All individuals involved in teaching activities in the BMS labs and those that expect to supervise students or others that are not signed off on the BMS Lab policies and procedures must review the applicable procedures, complete initial training by the Lab Manager, PI, course instructor, or designated trainer, and fill out the appropriate Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, with a submission type of “Initial Training Certification”. After initial training, each procedure must be reviewed annually and documented with the Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, submission type “Annual Procedure Review”.
Training records for BMS Lab specific policies that TAs are required to complete shall be maintained by the BMS Lab manager. A list detailing which procedures are required can be found on the Procedure Review Table.
Many TAs also work in an individual research lab. If overlapping records exist due to shared spaces between the BMS teaching labs and an individual research lab, training records for TAs shall be maintained by the specific PI in their research lab records. The BMS teaching labs do not require duplicate training if an equivalent training has been completed and documented in an individual research laboratory. Any records required only for BMS teaching lab policies shall be maintained by the BMS Lab manager.
Unsupervised work
Unsupervised work typically involves course preparation, setup, and clean up, and those allowed to work unsupervised have typically been given keycard and/or key access to the lab spaces. All staff and students that expect to work unsupervised in the BMS teaching labs for course instruction or preparation must review the applicable procedures, complete initial training by the Lab Manager, PI, course instructor, or designated trainer, and fill out the appropriate Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, with a submission type of “Initial Training Certification”. After initial training, each procedure must be reviewed annually and documented with the Training Certificate/Annual Review Form, submission type “Annual Procedure Review”.
If overlapping records exist due to shared spaces between the BMS teaching labs and an individual research lab, training records shall be maintained by the specific PI in their research lab records. The BMS teaching labs do not require duplicate training if an equivalent training has been completed and documented in an individual research laboratory. Any records required only for BMS teaching lab policies shall be maintained by the BMS Lab manager.
A list detailing which procedures are required can be found on the Procedure Review Table.
Tours/Recruitment Activities
Individuals walking through or sitting in the BMS Labs for tours or recruitment activities are not required to complete any initial or annual review of the BMS labs policies and procedures, but must be supervised at all times by an individual that has been trained and signed off on all applicable BMS lab procedures. Recruitment activities shall not involve the use of any biohazardous materials without the approval of the BMS Program, and any appropriate releases, safety agreements, and general safety training must be completed prior to any recruitment activities if biohazardous materials are involved.
New Policies/Procedures and Previously Trained Individuals
When new policies and procedures are created for existing practices, or in instances in which staff are deemed to be competent in the content of a policy and it is determined that they do not require extensive initial training, the “Initial Training Certification” documentation may be bypassed and “Annual Procedure Review” documentation may be utilized immediately. Bypassing of Initial Training and Initial Training Certification is at the discretion of the BMS Teaching Lab Manager.
Other
UWM Facility services, housekeeping, and other designated employees of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee that have access to the BMS Labs are not required to sign off on lab specific policies and procedures. Signage has been posted outside each access point to warn of potential hazards, and BMS program personnel should make an attempt to accompany these individuals if needed.
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