Office of Research

MCW Safety Committees

The MCW Safety Committee is charged with ensuring compliance with federal guidelines for research conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  All research protocols must be reviewed by this committee.  This committee exercises advisory and other responsibilities for the Biological, Chemical, Environmental, Fire, Accident, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, and Radiation Safety programs of the College.  The committee is made up chairpersons from the relevant subcommittees responsible for federal compliance and directors of selected offices responsible for safety and security, and is chaired by an individual appointed by the Senior Associate Dean for Research.  The MCW Safety Committee works with the Safety Office to codify these requirements in the MCW Safety Manual.  Areas of noncompliance are referred by this committee to the Dean's office.

• Safety Committee Flowchart (doc)
  Refer to this chart to understand the safety committee's review process.
• Safety Committee Forms
  You may need to submit your proposal to ONE OR MORE subcommittees of the Safety Committee.  To ensure the most efficient processing of your protocol, you should submit to ALL applicable subcommittees as soon as possible.
• Hazardous Agent Information Sheet (pdf)
  Required if hazardous agents will be used in ANIMAL protocol

Toxic Chemical/Carcinogen

The Subcommittee on Safety for Carcinogens and Hazardous Agents works with investigators to develop and ensure safe procedures for handling, storage and disposal of carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, mutagens, tetragens, toxic chemicals (LD-50<5 mg/kg) and chemicals that have extreme physiochemical properties that require specific procedures for safe handling.

Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has the responsibility to ensure the safe use of recombinant DNA and pathogenic materials as outlined by NIH and the CDC, to ensure the safety of MCW personnel and others, and to limit the environmental impact of biological agents, including pathogens, utilized by researchers at MCW.

Radiation Safety Committee

The Radiation Safety Program is directed and monitored by the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). The RSC is an administrative committee responsible for the oversight of radioactive material under the license. 

Research MRI Safety Committee

The Research MRI Safety Committee (RMRISC) has the responsibility to ensure the safe use of MRI in research at MCW.  This includes:

1. Minimizing the MRI safety risks to human research participants, animal subjects, MCW personnel, and others, and
2. Minimizing the risk of damage to MRI equipment.  All MCW personnel using MRI equipment for research at MCW are subject to the policies of the RMRISC.

Occupational Health

The Occupational Health program is responsible for the health and wellness of all MCW students, staff, house staff, and faculty.

Safety and Environmental Health

Safety and Environmental Health Office assists scientists and support staff to meet their responsibilities in safety.

Public Safety

The Medical College of Wisconsin’s (MCW) Office of Public Safety (OPS) is responsible for protecting and securing the College community.

IACUC

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for monitoring the care and use of animals in research and teaching and reviewing all animal research projects.

HRPP/IRB

The purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to review human research protocols submitted for approval to the Office of Research.