Office of Research & Development

Biosafety & Biosecurity Program

Overview

The VA Office of Research and Development (ORD) has developed its Biosafety & Biosecurity Program to ensure the safety of individuals involved with research at Veterans Health Administration research laboratories and to protect the environment. The program strives to ensure the security and safety of all individuals, resources, information, biological agents, chemical agents and radiation materials/sources found within research laboratories. ORD's biosafety and biosecurity program functions in coordination with similar programs at individual medical centers. Activities at VA Central Office ORD involve developing VHA policy, issuing guidance, communicating training requirements and initiating training programs as well as working closely and coordinating with other Federal entities regarding biosafety, biosecurity and homeland defense.

ORD contact:
Brenda Cuccherini, Ph.D.
Phone (202) 443-5604 or
E-mail address: Brenda.Cuccherini@va.gov

Policy and Guidance

• VHA Handbook 1200.06, Control of Hazardous Agents in VA Research Laboratories
• VHA Handbook 1200.08, Safety of Personnel Engaged in Research
• VHA Form 10-0398, Research Protocol Safety Survey

Reference Materials

• Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 5th Edition:
  http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/bmbl4toc.htm
• NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules:
  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-052.html

Useful Links and Information

• VHA National Health Physics Program:
  http://nhpp.med.va.gov
• VA Center for Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health:
  http://vaww.ceosh.med.va.gov (VA Intranet only)