FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES CALL 911 OR GO TO THE UK CHANDLER HOSPITAL (OR CLOSEST) EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
As part of the university’s Occupational Health Program, the opportunity for Laboratory Workers to receive medical evaluation must be provided under the following circumstances:
Any medical examination required from the above listed situations must be provided without cost to the employee, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place. Records of any medical examination will be maintained at the medical facility providing service or with appropriate medical personnel at the University.
All workplace incidents, and workplace acquired injuries or illnesses sustained by UK personnel shall be reported by the Principal Investigator/Laboratory Supervisor to Workers Care by calling (800) 440-6285.
UK students may contact University Health Services (859) 323-APPT during business hours, or (859) 323-5321 after business hours, on weekends or holidays.
In case of biological spill, follow the steps below.
Place paper towels into a biohazard bag for disposal.
Email biosafety@uky.edu to request a free biological spill kit!
In case of leaks/spill or centrifuge malfunction, follow the steps below.
In case of laceration, cut, or puncture:
In case of needlestick:
In case of exposure to biohazardous materials:
Unsafe working conditions or “near-miss” incidents (incidents not resulting in injury or release of hazardous material) is encouraged to be reported to UK Occupational Health and Safety at:
https://ehs.uky.edu/apps/incident
Incidents involving biohazardous materials must be immediately reported to the UK Biological Safety Officer (859-257-1073).
In compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, the University of Kentucky, as a recipient of NIH funds, must "report any significant problems, violations of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant research-related accidents or illnesses".
This includes any "spills, accidents, or other incidents that result in breach of containment, environmental release or exposures to laboratory or other research personnel or animals to viruses, cells or organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules". These events may include "overt exposures..., the escape of improper disposition of a transgenic animal, or spills of high-risk recombinant or synthetic nucleic materials occurring outside of a biosafety cabinet". An overt exposure may include (but is not limited to): skin punctures with needles, cuts, animal bites or scratches, and direct contact with mucosal membranes (e.g. eye splash).
UK Department of Research Safety staff may reach out to you after an incident/injury with questions. Follow-up reporting to relevant regulatory agencies may be required.