This document summarizes the work of the Office for Research Safety (ORS) at Northwestern University in 2016. It discusses growth in biological research which led to increases in Institutional Biosafety Committee registrations and recombinant DNA approvals. It also describes ORS initiatives such as freezer clean-outs to reduce unwanted inventory, developing online hazardous materials shipping training, and emergency response drills conducted with the Evanston Fire Department. ORS provides training to over 4,000 faculty, staff and students and achieved a 92% compliance rate across all training courses in 2016.

1. 2016
ANNUAL REPORT
The
Laboratory
of Professor
Jeff Snyder

2. Michael Bryan Blayney, PhD
Executive Director
Phone: (847)491-5581
michael.blayney@northwestern.edu
Ward Building, Room B-106
303 East Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 503-8300, Fax: (312)503-0547
Technological Institute, Room NG-71
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
(847) 491-5581, Fax: (847)467-2797
Mission Statement
The Office for Research Safety (ORS) adds value to the extraordinary teaching and research science of
Northwestern University through its commitment to high standards and support services. ORS
fulfills its commitment by systematically identifying hazards and controlling risks in the protection
of individuals, public health and the environment. With guidance from University compliance
committees, ORS provides the management and operational support for laboratory health and
safety.
Finding reasonable and effective solutions to everyday health and safety problems —
while striving to be consistent and helpful in aol our activities — is an important priority
for ORS. To renew and strengthen ORS for the future, we value the importance of educa-
tion, training, certification, scholarship and involvement in our professional societies.
Extraordinary Science Done Safely
OFFICE FOR RESEARCH SAFETY
Chicago & Evanston

3. “Northwestern is committed to excellent teaching,
innovative research and the personal and intellectual
growth of its students in a diverse academic
community.”
-Northwestern’s Mission
This report highlights the work done by the Office for Research Safety (ORS) in calendar year 2016.
Last year, we turned our attention from the removal of historical laboratory waste (The “Great
Clean-up”) toward the future—measuring performance, simplifying compliance and setting
flexible, higher standards for lab facilities.
While no small undertaking, the major effort to renew ORS from late 2012 through 2015 was
essentially straightforward. What comes next for us is much more complex— replacing
the existing research registration system (called NSIS) and codifying our business pro-
cesses to ensure consistent outcomes. Additionally, we are committed to helping our
colleagues in Facilities Management create higher, flexible standards for testing,
certification and replacement of safety sensitive systems. Easily taken for granted,
these lab systems must always work as designed—especially in an emergency.
It is truly a remarkable time to be supporting science at Northwestern. In sever-
al ORS programs, we have seen significant growth between 2015-2016.
Special recognition to those in ORS who go “above-and-beyond” in their
service to Northwestern. Several in ORS are investing their personal time
and energy to further their professional development through education,
training, certification, scholarship and community service.
ORS remains fully committed to the goal of ensuring
Extraordinary Science Done Safely.
Michael B. Blayney, PhD
Executive Director
INTRODUCTION

4. HUMAN GENE
TRANSFER STUDIES
(13 LAST YEAR)
rDNA APPROVALS
(∆ 11%)
BSL 1, 2, & 3 LABS
(∆ 3%)
IBC REGISTRATIONS APPROVED
(∆ 18%)
BLOODBORNE
PATHOGENS LABS
(∆ 3%)
12
337
258
339
244
The remarkable growth in biological research over the past year resulted in a significant increase in the number
of Institutional Biosafety Committee registrations and the number of recombinant DNA (rDNA) approvals in
2016.
In late 2014, the White House issued a memorandum calling for accountability in biological safety and biosecuri-
ty. This mandate applied to all Federal Agencies and to all institutions receiving government funding.
In ORS, we saw this as an opportunity to help laboratories free up valuable freezer space, reduce unwanted
items and create better inventory control. Throughout 2015 and into early 2016, ORS provided support to all our
biomedical, biotechnical and biology laboratories with freezer clean-outs, associated waste disposal and inven-
tory management.
To make the clean-out process easier for everyone, ORS employed a dedicated freezer for temporary storage,
large dry ice coolers for transfers, fishing nets to retrieve floating items in chest freezers and industrial vacuum
cleaners to collect the menagerie of tubes, vials and lab ware that became lost in the freezer frost.
The results were remarkable, with some labs reporting more than an 80% reduction in their frozen (sometimes
forgotten) inventories. In several cases, the freezer contents were unknown or unlabeled—some containers
were unearthed and dated forty years ago. Along the way, several old, inefficient freezers were decommissioned
and recycled. Inventory management is now part of the Laboratory Safety Review process.
The proper packing and shipping of hazardous materials is a complex and onerous compliance process in any
research institution. Typically, these packages contain biological materials and occasionally chemical or radio-
active samples. At Northwestern, we ship (and receive) a large number of biological packages every day.
In 2016, ORS developed a unique on-line biological materials shipping course. This course takes advantage of the
Learn@Northwestern training management system. Once the on-line class is completed, a paired, practical
classroom experience provides hands-on experience in preparing the necessary paperwork, assembling the
proper packaging and affixing the warning labels. This course was developed and implemented prior to new
regulations that went into effect in early 2017.
Freezer Clean-out Initiative
New Hazardous Materials Shipping Program
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY

5. UNDERGRADUATE & HIGH SCHOOL
RESEARCHERS (∆ 0%)
STAFF (∆ 0%)
POST DOCS, OTHER
FACULTY AND VISITING
SCHOLARS (∆ 17%)
ACTIVE LAB
WORKERS
(∆ 7.5%)
ACTIVE PIs
(∆ 5%)
GRADUATE STUDENTS
(∆ 7.7%)
500
1000
1300
1200
4000
570
The periodic inspection and audit of laboratory facilities—what we call a Lab Safety Review (LSR)—is an
important task in any research safety management program. At Northwestern, we are working to make
this process more meaningful and effective in the months and years ahead.
For nearly a decade, LSR information resides inside the Northwestern Safety Information System
(NSIS). Developed in-house, NSIS is now at the end of its service life and will be replaced with a
hosted service in the not-too-distant future. Leveraging what was learned in building NSIS, our
intent is to use this knowledge to improve the ease, simplicity and reporting functions of its
replacement. An easy to understand “dashboard” is key to our vision of this new
system—helping all involved to see, understand and resolve any pending issues.
In 2014, a set of performance metrics were created for the LSR process. Laboratories for
inspection are assigned each quarter, the number completed then tallied and the totals
summarized for the year. Since some quarters are busier than others--and not all labs
are created equally—use of a normalized approach has allowed performance mea-
surement. Ideally, we would like to open and close an inspection within 90 days and
ensure we meet or exceed 90%.
LABORATORY SAFETY
CAMPUS
ASSIGNED
LSR’s
CONDUCTED
LSR’s
LSR’s
≤ 90 DAYS
ASSIGNMENT
%
EVANSTON CHICAGO TOTAL
162 288 450
154 259 413
134 246 380
95% 90% 92%
COMPLETION
%
87% 95% 92%1
2
1. Completed/Conducted 2. Conducted/Assigned
2016 LSR PERFORMANCE

6. In 2016 Health Physics Services (HPS) continued to consolidate and improve in both form and function.
Last year, we achieved a further 11% reduction in the number of labs authorized to use radioactive mate-
rials owing to decreasing use. HPS developed a new (basic) radiation safety course in 2016 that is in
production as a Safety Training Consortium course for several schools in 2017. Northwestern also
received grant funding in 2016 from the Department of Energy to replace a security sensitive device
with a less problematic X-ray unit—our second such project in the past three years.
With direction from our Radiation Safety Committee (Professor Stuart Stock, Chair), HPS is
working to update our regulatory framework with a new radiation protection program, hand-
book and policy by mid-2017. HPS has also redoubled its efforts in 2017 to work to an audit-
ed standard and put into place recommended, required program elements that represent
the necessary steps in the modernization of the HPS program for the future.
With direction from our Laser Safety Committee (Professor Claus-Peter Richter,
Chair) the HPS program developed a new introductory course in laser safety
and updated laser safety handbook. Laser safety will continue to be an area
of focus and growth in the years ahead owing to its importance and applica-
tion in research science today.
Laser Safety
HEALTH PHYSICS SERVICES
LASER PIs
(∆ 3%)
X-RAY WORKERS
(∆ -42%)*
RAM WORKERS
(∆ -26)
RAM USE AREAS
(∆ -8%)
RAM PIs
(∆ -11%)
X-RAY PIs
(∆ 0%)
LASER WORKERS
(∆ -1%)
* Much of this change is attributed
to database clean-up
104
156
13
287
150
57
425

7. After three years of sustained effort, ORS began to wind down
its “Great Clean-up” in the summer of 2015 and transitioned
into what we called our “New Normal” in hazardous waste opera-
tions. With the vast amount of legacy waste gone by the end of
2015, our attention in 2016 focused on ensuring that our Hazardous
Waste Services (HWS) Program was operationally effective and
efficient in all aspects.
Committed to continuous improvement, ORS adopted the special provi-
sions of “Subpart K” in the EPA Hazardous Waste Rules in early 2016.
Enacted in 2008, this infrequently used option for Higher Education provides
additional flexibility in laboratory waste determination, collection and on-site
management. This additional flexibility is important as laboratory research at
Northwestern continues to grow and we are keenly interested in hazardous waste
minimization, campus-wide.
Working with the newly established Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Program
in Risk Management—ORS expanded the HWS Program in 2016 to serve the entire
campus. Today, ORS and EHS work together to identify and address hazardous waste
needs—in our laboratories and our facilities—across the institution.
Entering its fifth year, the Clean Harbors InSite® Program continues to provide value and
service to the Northwestern Community. Key initiatives in 2016 included expanded fume hood
and cabinet cleaning services, recovering a significant percentage of our non-halogenated
solvents as energy, recycling latex paint and helping our local secondary schools with hazardous
waste management.
In 2017, ORS will release an updated hazardous waste training program to reflect the significant
improvements in the HWS Program over the past four years. The “new look” at hazardous waste focuses
more detail on our program refinements in waste minimization, sustainability and problematic wastes.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
MANAGEMENT

8. 0
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Blayney Arrives
22,200
26,833
24,368
42,403
30,185
43,870
45,984
28,335
34,636
32,360
44,743
32,037
35,771
37,773
43,551
43,841
29,774 30,388
34,917
32,230
7,026
7,191
12,358
17,355
19,418
16,357
20,207
15,135
15,637
21,238
16,190
16,905
16,011
14,707 15,322
16,890
17,678
15,485
14,250
17,995
POUNDS
CHICAGO
EVANSTON
Labpack Flammables (Incineration) 15%Labpack Non-Haz 1%
Agarose Gel with EtBr 7%
Photographic Fixer 12%
Labpack Toxics 1%
Labpack Oxidizers 1%
Bulked Flammables (Lean Fuels) 9%
Batteries 1%
Bulked Non-Haz 1%
Contaminated Lab Debris 4%
Halogenated Solvents 15%
Labpack Bases 1%
Labpack Flammables (Fuel Blend) 4%
Photographic Developer 12%
Non-Haz Commodity Pack 9%
Non-Halogenated Solvents 5%
Misc Waste 1%
Vials 1%
Labpack Acids 4%
Labpack Bases 2%Labpack Flammables (Fuels Blend) 3%
Labpack Flammables (Incineration) 9%
Labpack Non-Haz 1%
Bulked Flammables (Lean Fuels) 2%Bulked Flammables (Incineration) 7%
Bulked Acids 4%
Agarose Gel with EtBr 1%
Batteries 2%
Vials 2%
Silica Gel 2%
Non-Haz Commodity Pack 2%
Non-Halogenated Solvents 10%
Misc Waste 1%
Labpack Toxics 3%
Labpack Oxidizers 1%
Labpack Oil 1%
Halogenated Solvents 23%
Contaminated Lab Debris 12%
Contaminated Glassware 4%
Bulked Non-Haz 3%
2016 HAZARDOUS WASTE: TYPE/CAMPUS
EVANSTON (63.29 tons)
CHICAGO (32.15 tons)
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

9. Planning for the 2016 Emergency Response Drills with
the Evanston Fire Department (EFD) began in late
January. Building on the success of our 2015 drill, the
EFD wanted to combine the 2016 training event with
their need to practice managing multiple patients
and simulated transport to area hospitals. By
mid-May, we had developed three scenarios
over three days that would combine multiple
patients with a wide range of simulated
injuries caused by hazardous materials. To
be effective and realistic, the scenarios
would not be shared with the respond-
ing agencies in advance.
Owing to the construction work in
and around the Technological
Institute last summer, and
thanks to the Athletic Depart-
ment, we were able to relo-
cate our training event to
Ryan field during the last
week of July. Multiple
government agencies
and our local hospi-
tals all played a role
in preparing,
presenting and
evaluating
these exer-
cises.
For a look at some of the excitement and team
work involved, please visit our Vimeo Site:
https://vimeo.com/184715074
EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRILLS

10. Safe use of NaK for Solvent Drying
Nitric Acid Wastes
Use of Vented Caps
Glove Permeation, Penetration & Degredation
Skin Exposures and Effects
New Videos & Animations
The Fundamentals of Laboratory Safety
produced by the Safety Training Consortium
(Michael Blayney, Chair)
Safe Shipping of Biological Materials and Dry Ice
New On-line Courses Completed in 2016
Training is a key element in the ORS Safety Strategy. The importance of training and the range of offerings
from ORS continued to grow in 2016. With the implementation of Learn@Northwestern in the fall of
2015, ORS took advantage of its many features to assign and deliver training throughout 2016.
Nearly 4,000 faculty, staff and students registered in the NSIS system completed almost 12,200
on-line courses in 2016. Training compliance is a key aspect of a successful Laboratory Safety
Review (LSR). The priority given to training, combined with a successful LSR, resulted in a
remarkable 92% compliance rate across all ORS courses in 2016.
Last summer, we provided introductory training and personal protective equipment to 75
undergraduate and high school teachers working in our research labs.
Last September, we welcomed 272 new science graduate students in a series of special
events hosted on each campus. Included in each event were presentations from
colleagues in the Research Integrity Office, Risk Management and from our Counsel-
ing and Psychological Services Program. A tradition at Northwestern since the fall
of 2012 is the presentation of a new laboratory coat to each incoming graduate
student as part of their safety orientation.
ORS has produced a number of short subject videos, many of which are
embedded in other on-line learning courses. These videos are also shared
outside the institution via our Vimeo site. Our site today contains 58
videos, 18 of which were added in 2016 and have received over 8,500
views.
Training Services

11. Laboratory Safety
Specialist 2018-2019
Mark Bachrach, PhD
Chemical Hygiene
Officer
Katie Kollhoff
Sr. Safety Engineer
for McCormick
Brett Berg
Sr. Laboratory Safety
Specialist
Markus Schaufele, CSP
Standards, Compliance &
Emergency Planning
Gwen Sullivan
Administrative
Manager
Clean Harbors, Inc.
Hazardous Waste Services, ORS
7 FTEs (both campuses)
Instructional
Designer 2018
Film Studies Intern
Undergraduate
Work Study
Anna Stasek
Instructional
Designer
Cindi Mason,
Training Manager
Angelica Gheen
Assistant RSO,
Health Physicist
TJ Whittenhall
Laser SafetyOfficer
Health Physicist
Joe Princewill
Health Physicist
Jose Macatangay
Director, Health Physics
Services, RSO
Iwona Spath
Laboratory Specialist,
rDNA
Johanna Fisher
Administrative
Assistant
Marina
Zelivyanskaya, DVM
Laboratory Specialist,
CCM
Robert Foreman, PhD
Associate Biological
SafetyOfficer
Andrea Hall, PhD
Biological SafetyOfficer,
Director, ORS Chicago
Laboratory Safety
Specialist 2018-2019
LucyGalindo
Laboratory Safety
Specialist
Luis Samaniego, CSP
Sr Laboratory
Specialist
Reginald Blythe
Associate Director,
Sr Laboratory Specialist
Michael B. Blayney, PhD
Executive Director
JayWalsh, PhD
Vice President for Research

12. Ward Building, Room B-106
303 East Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 503-8300, Fax: (312)503-0547
Technological Institute, Room NG-71
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
(847) 491-5581, Fax: (847)467-2797
Office for Research Safety
www.research.northwestern.edu/ors
Published March, 2017
© Northwestern University