Biological and Chemical Safety Facts and Staff Listing:

The Biological and Chemical Safety Program promotes a safe work environment and maintains regulatory compliance in support of research, teaching and service endeavors conducted at UT Southwestern Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals. The Biological and Chemical Safety Office has responsibilities in several areas, each with a specific regulatory law framework reflecting a combination of practices involving: policies, action plans, inspections, sample testing, teaching/training, and program documentation.. 

Biological & Chemical Safety regulates all use of infectious substances, pathogens, chemicals. The staff is responsible for all lab inspections and audits in order to ensure safety and compliance in dealing with these hazardous materials. The ordering, safe use, and storage of select agents, controlled substances, and other hazardous substances are supervised by the Biological & Chemical Safety staff. They are also responsible for the safe use of biological materials and chemicals in animal research, ensuring compliance with IACUC guidelines. 

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     - 150 Safety Plans reviewed annually.

     - Over 500 IACUC protocols reviewed annually.

     - Responsible for over 800 lab inspections.

All of the biological and chemical waste generated on campus is properly handled for disposal by the Biological & Chemical Safety staff. The Silver Recovery program is an active part of the hazardous waste program that allows staff to safely remove the silver in certain chemical waste so that the residual volume may be disposed of as common, non-toxic waste and the silver may be recycled. 

     - Hazardous Chemical Wastes: 32 tons per year

     - Silver Recovery: 7300 gallons annually

Since many of the substances and materials managed by this program have a high risk of environmental damage, environmental monitoring is a necessity. The Environmental Monitoring division of the program ensures compliance with environmental regulations. Environmental compliance includes Title V air emissions, storm water, underground storage tank compliance, spill control compliance, and waste water compliance. This program is also responsible for response to emergency and nonemergency situations dealing with biological or chemical materials, including response to indoor air quality problems. To promote safety practices, the Biological and Chemical Safety Division also offers training courses on lab safety, emergency procedures, and DOT shipping courses required for shipping dangerous goods. 

     - Inspect over 100 sites for environmental compliance monthly

     - Control over 70 visible emissions points

STAFF

Ronald Veath, B.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist III (Interim Assistant Director)
Ronald.Veath@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-8344
(214) 645-8320 fax

Terry Capone, M.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist IV
Terry.Capone@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-8345
(214) 645-8320 fax

Patrick Thobe, B.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist II
patrick.thobe@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-8339
(214) 645-8320 fax

Peter Harris, B.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist II
Peter.Harris@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-8348
(214) 645-8320 fax

Traci Bates, B.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist ll
Traci.Bates@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 648-3956
(214) 648-7906 fax

Federico Franco-Mendoza, B.S. II
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist II
Federico.FrancoMendoza@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 648-7366
(214) 648-7301 fax

Jesus Paras, B.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Specialist I
Jesus.Paras@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-8343
(214) 645-8320 fax