 Chemical, Biological & Radiological
 How do I dispose of chemicals and sharps?
To
learn how to properly dispose of chemicals and sharps, consult the NIH Waste Disposal
Guide. If you
would like a printed copy of the guide for your laboratory or haveadditional
questions, contact your Safety Specialist or call (301) 496-2346.
- Who do I contact to report spills that may be hazardous?
To
report spills, call the fire department: 911 on-campus: 9-911 and off-campus. After calling for emergency response, promptly
notify your Safety
Specialist or call (301) 496-2346 for additional guidance.
- How do I enroll in the Select Agent Program?
- What form will I need for shipping biological materials out of the U.S.?
To
ship any biological material to a destination outside the United
States, you must submit form NIH
2388, “Declaration for Exportation of Biological Materials” to the
NIH Quarantine Permit Service Office (QPSO). The form may be submitted by email
to qpso@mail.nih.gov
or by fax to 301-480-0671. Applicants must allow at least 5 business days for review
by the QPSO. Following review, the QPSO will email the applicant the approved form.
The export declaration is valid only on the approved date of shipment and should be included with
the shipping manifest accompanying the package. Note: Depending on the
biological material to be exported, a Department of Commerce export permit may also be required.
- What form will I need to receive a shipment of biological materials coming into the U.S.?
To receive
any biological material from a destination outside the United States of America, you
must submit form CDC 0.753, “Application for Permit to
Import Biological Agents or Vectors of Human Disease into the United States,”
directly to the NIH Quarantine Permit Service Office (QPSO). The form may be
submitted by email to qpso@mail.nih.gov or by fax to
301-480-0671. Applicants must allow at least 10 business days for review by the
QPSO. Depending on the biological
material to be imported, the QPSO will email the applicant either a CDC import
permit and supporting documents; or an NIH Letter for Non-Infectious
Importation. The importer may then supply the appropriate documents to the sender
for inclusion with the shipping manifest accompanying the package. Note: Other
agency permits (APHIS, CITES, etc.) may also be required.
- Who should I contact regarding shipping questions?
- Employee Resources
- Who may enroll in the NIH Nursing Mothers Program?
- What services are provided by the Nursing Mothers Program?
Prenatal
breastfeeding education classes; telephone
support; return to
work consultation; and onsite
lactation rooms.
- When should I sign up for the Nursing Mothers Program?
We recommend that you sign up for the Nursing Mothers Program during the third trimester of your pregnancy in order to
utilize all of the educational and counseling services available.
- May I use a lactation room if I have not participated in the other services of the program?
You may use the lactation rooms
without receiving the other services of the Nursing Mothers Program. To use a room you must still register with the program.
- Are the lactation rooms available to visitors?
A visitor may use a lactation room
as space is available. Contact the Nursing Mothers Program office at (301)
435-7850, a week in advance of your visit to make arrangements to use a room.
- What should I bring when I am using a lactation room?
The NIH Lactation Rooms are equipped
with Lactina Select breast pumps. If you wish to use the program pump, you must
bring your own attachment kit. Also, you
must store your milk in your own insulated bag with frozen ice packs. Refrigerators are not available in the rooms.
- What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
The
EAP provides professional consultation services for
NIH employees who are experiencing personal issues which may impair their work
performance. The program offers assessment, referral, consultation, coaching,
short-term counseling, and follow-up for employees confronted with family and
marital issues, substance abuse, stress, depression, work-related issues and
any other emotional challenges.
There
is no cost to the employee for the services of the EAP. If a referral is necessary to an outside
facility, the cost of covering that service is the responsibility of the
employee. The EAP consultant works closely with the employee to choose a
referral that is covered by health insurance or that is within the employee's
financial means. To schedule an
appointment, call (301) 496-3164.
- Food & Water Safety
- Injuries and Illnesses
- How do I report a work-related injury or illness?
You should notify your supervisor of any injury or illness AND report to the Occupational Medical Service immediately. The Occupational Medical Service is located in Bldg. 10, Room 6C306 and the telephone number is (301) 496-4411.
- Should I report a near miss incident?
Yes! Reporting a near miss incident
is important because it allows us to try to get the hazard fixed before
someone gets hurt. Call the Division of
Occupational Health and Safety at (301) 496-2960 immediately!
- What happens when I report a work-related injury or illness?
The
Division of Occupational Health and Safety reviews the reports received from
the Occupational Medical Service
paying careful attention to the employee's injury/illness description and the
comments from the employee and supervisor. Often, the initial investigation of the
incident by the supervisor identifies the root cause(s) of the injury/illness
and a solution. Where no initial
investigation is conducted by the supervisor or the report fails to provide
enough information, the Division of Occupational Health and Safety may take additional action.
- What is the purpose of an accident or illness investigation?
The
Division of Occupational Health and Safety initiates the incident
investigations by contacting the employee and supervisor for additional
information. The purpose of the
investigation is to develop an action plan for preventing future incidents,
not assigning blame. It is important that the employee and supervisor work with the Division of Occupational Health and
Safety to develop an action plan that addresses the root cause(s) of the
injury/illness while simultaneously achieving the operational goals of the
organizational unit.
- Pest Management
- What pest management services are offered at NIH?
The NIH Integrated Pest Management Program is a proactive program that provides:
Regular surveys and monitoring of all areas in all NIH facilities. Wildlife management in NIH facilities on NIH grounds. Insect identification services and recommendations for corrective action if necessary. Detailed reports of conditions in and around facilities that contribute to pest problems. Renovation and construction plan review to “build out” pests.
- How do I report a pest problem?
To report a
pest sighting or evidence of pests in your workspace call (301) 496-4294. Please
provide your name, phone and office number, and the nature and location of the
pest problem and a technician will be sent out.
- What are the facts about bedbugs?
Bedbugs
are true bugs in the order Hemiptera. Adult
female bed bugs can lay one to five eggs per day - up to 500 in a lifetime. Development
takes from five weeks to four months, depending on the temperature, relative
humidity and availability of blood. Under
normal room temperatures and adequate food supply bedbugs can live
approximately one year. Male
and female bedbugs feed exclusively on blood and on average take eight to
twelve minutes to feed. Bed
bugs are wingless and travel by walking but can also be transported by people in
luggage, furniture, bags, clothing and equipment. Bed
bugs are nocturnal and come out to feed when all is quiet. Common
bed bugs have been found to host at
least 27 pathogens, but bedbugs have never been proven to transmit pathogens to humans.
- What are the three most common feral rodents found at NIH and how can I keep them out of my workspace?
The most common feral rodents found at NIH are the deer mouse, field mouse, and Norway rat.
To discourage hungry rodents from moving into your workplace:
- Store food in rodent-proof containers, preferably in a kitchen or common break area (not in your desk).
- Minimize clutter on floor and other horizontal surfaces.
- Arrange to have trash picked up at the end of the day so food scraps don’t sit overnight.
- Clean up crumbs around microwaves and toaster ovens. If possible, ensure doors are kept closed and door-sweeps are installed properly. Remember, mice can get in through an opening the diameter of a pencil.
- Safety Training
- Workplace Safety
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