Biological & Chemical Hygiene (BACH) Committee

CHARTER
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL HYGIENE COMMITTEE
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

Article I.         Introduction

The Biological and Chemical Hygiene Committee (BACH) serves as a forum for the discussion of safety, health, and legislative issues that affect the campus research community, and communicates results back to the department Compliance Officers. The policy of the committee is to work cooperatively with researchers, faculty and staff to promote biological and chemical safety with the least interference possible in scientific and educational activities.

Article II.         Functions

The BACH committee:

1. Reports to the Vice President for Research (VPR). The VPR recommends policies regarding the minimization of biological and chemical hazards to the Environmental, Safety and Health (E,S& H) Policy Committee for final approval. The E,S&H Policy Committee, comprised of representatives from the university's academic and operations leadership, approves E,S&H policies and strategies for the entire University.
2. Provides technical advice to the Director, DES.
3. Reviews reports of exposure of campus personnel to hazardous chemicals or microorganisms, as well as reports of chemical or biological contamination of facilities.
4. Serves as a forum for discussion of safety and health training programs for students, faculty and staff, as needed.
5. As necessary, advises DES in strategies for dealing with unsafe conditions.
6. Serves as a forum for the discussion of safety, health and legislative issues that affect the campus community.
7. Communicates as needed with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
8. The IBC:
   1. Has its own charter, and informs the BACH committee of all changes to the charter.
   2. Reports its operations and findings to the BACH committee on a regular basis.
   3. Reviews and approves protocols for research projects involving recombinant DNA according to the NIH Guidelines.
   4. Reviews and approves protocols for research projects involving human pathogens according to the NIH/CDC publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.

Article III.         Membership

1. Voting Members
   1. One faculty member from each of the following departments. Membership may be extended to staff in exceptional cases. Additional departments may be added if they are determined to be using hazardous or potentially hazardous chemical or biological materials.
      1. Animal and Avian Sciences
      2. Bioengineering
      3. Biology
      4. Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
      5. Center for Biosystems Research
      6. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
      7. Chemistry and Biochemistry
      8. Entomology
      9. Environmental Science and Technology
      10. Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics
      11. Kinesiology
      12. Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
      13. Materials and Nuclear Engineering
      14. Nutrition and Food Science
      15. Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
      16. Psychology
      17. Veterinary Medicine
   2. Up to two (2) persons who represent the interests of the surrounding community
   3. One (1) member from the campus technical laboratory staff

2. Ex-Officio Members
   1. Representative, VPR
   2. Director, DES
   3. Director, Laboratory Animal Resources
   4. Director, Health Center
   5. Representative, Engineering and Architectural Services
   6. Representative, Department of Operations and Maintenance
   7. Representative, Department of Procurement and Supply
   8. Chemical Hygiene Officer, DES
   9. Radiation Safety Officer, DES
   10. Biological Safety Officer, DES
   11. Environmental Safety Officer, DES

3. Term of Membership
   1. The Chair serves a two-year term.
   2. The Chair Elect serves a one-year term.
   3. The voting members serve three-year terms.
   4. The Chair and members may be reappointed for additional terms.
   5. Ex-officio members and Executive Secretary are appointed for an indefinite period.

4. Appointments
   1. The Chair shall be appointed by the VPR.
   2. Voting members shall be selected by the Department Chairs and College Deans.
   3. The Executive Secretary shall be one of the ex-officio members representing the VPR and shall be appointed by the VPR.

Article IV.         Management

1. At the beginning of each semester, the Executive Secretary shall poll the members to determine the day(s) of the week and time when the members are available for a meeting. The chair shall select the day and time for the meeting, based on this survey.
2. There shall be at least four but no more than ten meetings per academic year.
3. Ad hoc or standing subcommittees may be established by the Chair subject to approval by the committee. Members of the subcommittees shall be appointed by the Chair. Individuals who are not BACH members may be requested to serve on subcommittees.
4. Minutes shall be sent to the VPR and to Compliance Officers who represent departments with laboratories.

Approved 4/6/00
Revised 6/14/06
Revised 9/2006
Revised 10/2007
Revised 7/2008