Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Department of University Risk Management are closely aligned in a partnership to administer the MUSC Biosafety Program, which aims to minimize risks to MUSC and the surrounding community from activities involving recombinant DNA, microorganisms, and biological toxins.

The MUSC IBC, under its Policies and Procedures and the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), oversees all research at MUSC using recombinant DNA [rDNA], microbes [of all risk groups, RG 1-4], and biotoxins. Work with all Select Agents is included, requiring IBC approval before shipping to campus. Additional guidelines are provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in their Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories handbook.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Michael Smith, IBC/SCRO Program Manager
smitmic@musc.edu
843-792-6535

Dr. Chris Voelkel-Johnson, Biosafety Officer
johnsocv@musc.edu
843-792-3125

Emergency Response to Biohazard Spills & Exposures

Major Spills Clean-Up Assistance

Call Risk Management at 843-792-3604
For help with restricted access to contaminated areas, call Public Safety at 843-792-4196

Accidental Exposures

Seek immediate medical follow-up (do not wait 24 hours).

Be prepared to discuss the risks of the biohazardous agent with medical personnel.

Report exposure immediately to your supervisor or Principal Investigator and call the main number of the Department of Risk Management at 843-792-3604 to notify the Biosafety Officer.

Notify Employee Health Services within 24 hours by filing an ACORD First Report of Injury form.

Specific Procedures for Animal Bites and Scratches and Other Animal Exposures (PDF)