BIREL Laboratory Safety & Compliance Portal
Welcome to the BIREL safety hub. All researchers, students, and visitors must adhere to the institutional policies set by the Nazarbayev University Research Council and its subcommittees. Compliance is mandatory before beginning any wet lab activities.
1. Mandatory Training & Certification
Before accessing BIREL facilities, all personnel must:
- Complete OSH Induction: Finish the mandatory Health & Safety Induction provided by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department.
- CITI Program Training: Complete required modules via the CITI Program portal:
- Biosafety/Biosecurity for biological research.
- Lab Chemical Safety for chemical handling.
- Working with the IACUC for animal research (if applicable).
- Social & Behavioral Research for human subject research (IREC requirements).
2. Institutional Approvals
No research activity may commence without a valid approval from the relevant committee. Access the NU Research Compliance and Integrity (ORCI) portal to submit applications for:
- BCSC (Bio and Chemical Safety Committee): Required for all projects involving hazardous biological or chemical materials.
- IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee): Required for all research involving animal subjects.
- IREC (Institutional Research Ethics Committee): Required for all research involving human participants or materials.
3. Lab-Specific Safety Protocols
- Laboratory Passport: Review the BIREL Lab Passport located at the entrance for emergency contacts, hazard identification, and equipment-specific risks.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Researchers must read and sign off on SOPs for all equipment and experimental procedures before use.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Lab coats, safety goggles, and appropriate gloves must be worn at all times in the wet lab area.
- General Conduct:
- No food or drinks are permitted in the laboratory.
- Maintain a clean and uncluttered workspace.
- Report all accidents, spills, or “near misses” immediately to the Lab Supervisor.
4. Documentation & Forms
Please download the necessary templates from the BCSC Forms Section:
- Biological/Chemical Safety Application Forms.
- Due Diligence and Declaration Forms.
- Protocol Amendment and Extension Forms
