ROHP promotes a culture of safety by working closely with Environmental Health & Safety, leadership at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), and other research-related support services. It makes use of comprehensive best practices to perform medical surveillance, workplace risk assessments, biosafety and agent training, and clinical occupational health services led by board-certified occupational medicine and infectious disease physicians.
Population Served
ROHP serves BU and Boston Medical Center (BMC) laboratory researchers and those who support those research laboratories. Its client population includes faculty, staff, students, and sometimes visitors.
Certain biological agents and other materials used in research labs have distinct hazards and/or special occupational health requirements. Researchers and other staff who handle animals, biological agents, or viable samples from animals and humans must be medically cleared by ROHP before handling the animal or materials. For these reasons, ROHP is the primary occupational healthcare provider for the following groups:
- NEIDLNational Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories The NE...
- Animal Science Center
- Researchers at BU or BMC BSL 2, 3, or 4 research laboratories listed on an IBC or IACUC protocol
- Environmental Health & Safety staff
- Scientific SCUBA divers
Services
- Researcher pre-placement and fitness to work evaluations
- Immunizations and screenings for researchers
- Research work hazard identification
- Animal allergy screening
- Reproductive counseling
- Training programs specific to laboratory and research hazards
- Respirator medical screening, for those who need to wear a respirator
- Liaison with Boston Public Health Commission and the MA Department of Health for any reportable exposures, injuries or illnesses
- On-the-job injury/exposure care for researchers:
- Immediate first aid
- Follow-up care for work-related injuries and illnesses
- Coordination of care and referrals to specialists
- Coordination of post-injury return to work
General Contact Information
- Phone: 617-358-7647
- Email: rohp@bu.edu