The University of Texas at Austin
Institutional Biosafety Committee

Section 5: Reporting Requirements

• 5.0 Reportable Incidents and Violations
• 5.1 Principal Investigator Reporting
• 5.2 BSO Reporting
• 5.3 IBC Reporting
• 5.4 IO Reporting
• 5.5 Response to External Requests for Information

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5.0 Reportable Incidents and Violations

Incidents/problems involving rDNA and biohazardous materials, agents and toxins must be immediately reported to the Biological Safety Officer (BSO).  Examples of reportable significant incident include but are not limited to any overt exposure, such as a needle stick, splash, and contamination due to equipment failure, and any potential exposure in a BSL-3 facility.  A significant event may also occur from a containment breach, which may be subsequently determined to pose either an overt or potential exposure to individuals.  It should be noted that waste from rDNA research is also considered biohazardous and incidents involving improper disposal of rDNA must also be reported. Questions regarding reportable incidents should be directed to the BSO.

Failure by research personnel to follow federal and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies and/or procedures may also require reporting to the appropriate institutional, local, state and/or federal agencies.  Violations may include but is not limited to conduct of new or ongoing research with out appropriate federal or institutional registration, review, approval or oversight.

5.1 Principal Investigator Reporting

The Principal Investigator and their personnel must report any significant incident, violation of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant, research-related accidents and illnesses immediately by contacting the BSO. Examples of incidents and violations include:

• Overt exposures are defined as exposures that result in direct personnel exposure to biohazardous materials such as injection, spills, splashes or aerosol inhalation.
• Potential exposures are defined as exposures that have a high risk of exposing personnel to biohazardous materials such as spills, containment failure while working with the agent or equipment failure that may produce aerosols.
• Any exposure (overt or potential) in a BSL-3 lab.
• Overt exposure in BSL-1 or BSL-2 labs
• Any illness that may be caused by the agents used in the laboratory incidents involving the improper disposal of rDNA.

In addition, Principal Investigators must report other information to the IBC as soon as they become aware of the information (must also be reported to OBA):

• Information to support a new host-vector system.
• Petitions for proposed exemptions to the NIH Guidelines.
• Petitions for approval to conduct experiments specified in Sections III-A-1 and III-B.
• Petition for determination of containment for experiments not covered by the NIH Guidelines.

5.2 BSO Reporting

The BSO is required, by the NIH Guidelines, to report to the IBC:

• All violations of the NIH Guidelines and significant incidents.  
• Any significant research-related accidents or illnesses.

5.3 IBC Reporting

The IBC, through the IO, will file an annual report with OBA that includes:

• A roster of all IBC members clearly indicating the Chair, contact person, BSO, plant expert, and animal expert.
• Biographical sketches of all IBC members.

The IBC is required, by the NIH Guidelines, to report to the appropriate University official and to the NIH/OBA within 30 days any significant incidents, violations of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant research-related accidents and illnesses.  The IBC will be responsible to determine what actions, if any, are necessary.  For example the IBC may choose to change the frequency of lab inspections, or change the Biosafety Level of the protocol, based on results of the incident.  The IBC is required to complete a final copy of the Biological Incident Reporting Form which it will be signed and dated by the IO, IBC Chair and the BSO.

Other IBC reporting requirements (to OBA and other agencies) include but are not limited to: 

• Research involving rDNA and biohazardous materials, agents and toxins without prior IBC approval.
• Lax security, unsafe procedures used in a laboratory setting, improper disposal of recombinant waste.
• Significant changes to proposed research risk without prior notification and approval by IBC.

Institutional violations that will be reported to the appropriate College or department head may include but are not limited to:

• Lapses in protocol approval.
• Failure to comply with institutional and federal regulations, guidelines, and policies.

5.4 IO Reporting

Upon receiving a report from the IBC, the IO will report:

• In writing any problems with or violations (non-compliance) of the NIH Guidelines any significant incident, accidents, or illnesses related to rDNA to the NIH/OBA within 30 days or immediately for overt exposure to a BSL-2 agent or potential/overt exposure to a BSL-3 agent.
• For incidents involving Select Agents and/or Select Toxins the RO must notify the CDC/USDA.
• Any significant research-related illness or accident that may be hazardous to the public health and cooperate with state and local public health departments.

5.5 Response to External Requests for Information

In accordance with the NIH Guidelines, upon request, the institution will make available to the public all IBC meeting minutes and any documents submitted to or received from funding agencies which the latter are required to make available to the public.  Redaction of proprietary and private information is allowed but “must be done so judiciously and consistently for all requested documents.”  In addition, the IBC will adhere to requirements for providing copies of minutes and files as specified in the Texas Public Information Act.