Safety Specialists serve as essential communication links among lab personnel, safety committees, and central DS infrastructure. RSB works with the DS and other NIH organizations to promote a robust safety culture through collaborations, consultations, committee involvement, liaison activities, ACUC support, and specialized training. At NIH, the DS functions as the main internal safety body, with its specialists working across Institutes and Centers via committees, lab consultations, and standardized safety programs. 

RSB collaborates with:

• ​Occupational Medical Services (OMS)​
  

​OMS staff collaborates with safety specialists at your Institute or Center to reduce the risk of injuries among workers. RSB and OMS work together on managing workplace accidents, exposures to hazardous substances, and emergency care procedures.

• ​ Division of Environmental Protection (DEP)

  DEP and RSB work together to oversee waste operations, safety audits, and regulatory compliance across all campus facilities. Our collaboration includes managing hazardous materials, coordinating laboratory moves and clearances, overseeing asbestos-related projects, and maintaining chemical and waste safety. DS focuses on worker protection and safety protocols, while DEP ensures proper waste management and regulatory adherence. Both divisions align emergency response procedures for hazardous spills and environmental exposures.
  

• Office of Animal Care and Use (OACU)

  OACU and RSB work together to protect personnel and manage risks in animal research facilities. Their collaboration includes joint oversight of safety programs, integrated risk assessments, and coordinated safety training. IC Safety Specialists, as voting members of the Animal Care and Use Committees (ACUC), review animal study proposals and amendments, focusing on personnel safety and recommending risk mitigation measures. Through these efforts, OACU and DS maintain workplace safety, manage human health risks, and ensure regulatory compliance across the NIH Intramural Research Program.

• Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS)​

  DFRS and the DS work together to enhance campus safety by coordinating hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, and safety policy recommendations. Our collaboration includes combined emergency responses, shared hazard assessments, and joint training initiatives. Additionally, RSB provides unified safety guidance to NIH leadership, while also ensuring worksite compliance through thorough evaluations of laboratories and workspaces for physical and chemical risks.​