Risk Management & Safety Department – Health & Safety – Laboratory Chemical Safety

The Institutional Chemical Safety Committee (ICSC)

The Institutional Chemical Safety Committee (ICSC) was established by the Office of the Vice-President for Research and the Department of Risk Management & Safety, Business Affairs to:

Aid in the safe and healthful laboratory use of hazardous chemicals, including controlled substances, and
Facilitate compliance with the requirements and intent of various regulatory standards including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act (40 CFR 260) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination standard (40 CFR 403) and the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA's) Maintenance or Records and Inventory standard (21 CFR 1304.04).

The Institutional Chemical Safety Committee is comprised of faculty scientists or technically qualified staff or appointed personnel that are appointed by the Vice-President for Research. The function and responsibilities of the ICSC are to:

Initially, and annually thereafter, review, evaluate and revise (if necessary) the University of Arizona Laboratory Chemical Safety Manual (LCS Manual).
Review and approve those procedures and/or hazardous chemicals specified in the LSC Manual as requiring prior approval. This review process will also determine and specify conditions under which such procedures and/or hazardous chemical use may be conducted.
Serve as a hearing board and quality review body when issues arise concerning potential violations of the LCS Manual, other applicable regulatory violations, or other laboratory chemical safety concerns, to prescribe remedial action when necessary.
Review ongoing and proposed programs in laboratory chemical safety and health and provide recommendations for program enhancements and improved compliance.