Committees

Augusta University Safety Committee

The Augusta University Safety Committee (AUSC) serves as an advisory resource to the President on policies and programs for promoting student, faculty, employee, patient, and visitor safety at the university. The committee tracks and reviews accident, injury, and illness data across campus as well as focuses on indoor environmental quality and water intrusion issues.

• AUSC Members
  
  

Biosafety Committee

Chairperson
Stuart A. Thompson, PhD
706-721-7277

Alternate Chairperson
Tiana Curry-McCoy, PhD
706-721-9330

• IBC Members
• Meeting Dates 2025

The purpose of the Augusta University Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is to ensure institutional compliance with laws and regulations governing research with biohazardous materials to include pathogenic microorganisms, infectious materials, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids (r/s NA), and select agents/toxins and to establish policies, procedures, and practices to ensure that research at Augusta University does not present unacceptable risks to the health or safety of faculty, staff, students, visitors, or the general public.

The IBC implements CDC guidelines published in Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th ed, 2020; NIH guidelines published in NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA, April 2016; and federal regulations governing CDC/USDA Select Agents published in DHHS 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 73, Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins; Biennial Review, Proposed Rule.

Applications should be submitted by the first of the month. 

Chemical Safety Committee

Chairperson
John Johnson, PhD 
706-721-4173 

Chemical Safety Officer
Sammy Navarre 
706-721-7867 

• ICC Members

The Institutional Chemical Safety Committee (ICC) at Augusta University is in place to ensure our research personnel follow strict safety guidelines and protocols related to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. The Chemical Safety Officer represents the Institutional Chemical Safety Committee.

Radiation Safety Committee 

Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) reviews and monitors waste minimization (WM) efforts. Supports the goals of WM, ensures that the safe use of radioactive material and regulatory compliance are not compromised. 

Laser Safety Subcommittee

The Laser Safety Subcommittee (LSS) of the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) is an oversight body for laser safety at AU. The LSS may withdraw permission for laser use. The LSS is responsible for ensuring:

• AU procedures, safety guides, and training for laser devices are implemented according to accepted safety practices.
• Only qualified individuals are permitted to use laser devices.
• Reviewing reports from the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) summarizing annual laser inspections, including compliance with safety related engineering and administrative controls and use of personal protective equipment, occupational exposure for all personnel, and compliance with Federal/State of Georgia regulations.
• Enforcing compliance with the program, including withdrawal of permission to use lasers.
• Providing advice, guidance and support to research groups, departments and investigators via the LSO.
• Advising on the need for medical surveillance following accidental exposure.
• Tracking corrective actions for items of concern identified by the LSO or the LSS.