Historical Background on HSEAC 

 The first Waste Disposal Advisory Committee (WDAC) had its first meeting on January 27, 1998 under the chairmanship of Dr. Peter M. Tukei and Mr. Geoffrey G.P. Nagu as its first Secretary. One of the terms of reference of WDAC was ‘to ensure that all waste disposal processes in the Institute comply with the established public safety standards’. Other issues addressed by WDAC included handling of radiation safety issues and disposal. 

With the construction and commissioning of BSL3 facility at CVR on May 19, 1999, the committee felt that the mandates of WDAC should now incorporate biosafety. Therefore, during the 3^rd WDAC meeting the members unanimously agreed to change the name of the committee from WDAC to Biosafety Advisory Committee (BAC). They felt that the new name was a better description of the committee’s duties and responsibilities. At the same time Dr. Solomon S. Mpoke was appointed to be the member of the National Biosafety Committee sitting at the National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) and as the interim Biosafety Officer in the Institute.  It was also agreed that the post of the Biosafety Officer be made a permanent post in the establishment and that person assigned the duties of the Biosafety Officer to the post substantively. 

Dr Peter M. Tukei continued as the chair to BAC and Ms. Catherine Mutura became the new Secretary.  The TORs for BAC included Waste Management, Biosafety, and to provide oversight on Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. A Subcommittee on P3 was formed to monitor the activities of BSL3 facility.  

During the 18^th meeting of BAC held on July 4, 2003, the committee recommended to the Director KEMRI to appoint a substantive Institute Biosafety Officer (IBSO). The job description of the IBSO was to include carrying out the functions of a radiation Safety Officer, fire safety sand to enforce GLP in the Institute.  On October 24, 2005 Dr. Willy K. Tonui was appointed as the substantive IBSO. His role was to serve as a Biosafety Officer with duties that included radiation safety, chemical, animal safety and waste and environmental management. Subsequently Dr. Tonui took over from Dr. Solomon Mpoke as a member of NBC. 

As a result of new Environment and Management Regulation (legal Notices 121) and 121) enforced by NEMA in April 2007 and also the enactment of the Occupational Health and safety Act, 2007 (OSHA, 2007) there was need for the Institute to adopt these new regulations. Therefore during the 33rd Meeting of BAC on March 9, 2007 it was also agreed that the name of BAC should change to Health Safety Environment Advisory Committee (HSEAC). The name of the IBSO changed to Health Safety & Environment (HSE) Coordinator as a result of the new changes. This proposal to change from BAC to HSEAC was approved by the Director KEMRI on April 13, 2007.

Terms of Reference for HSEAC 

• To provide a forum for management and representatives drawn form various Centres and departments of the Institute to discuss safety and health-related issues such as safety in the Institute, Biorisk management, industrial hygiene and regulatory requirements. 
• To provide a forum for voicing suggestions and concerns dealing with employee safety and health to upper management. 
• To provide the necessary documentation for follow-up and completions of safety-related concerns. 
• To review and evaluate the effectiveness of KEMRI safety programs and makes recommendations for improvement.
• To review the results of the periodic OHSE safety inspections, accidents and near-miss investigations, and any other alleged hazardous conditions brought to the attention of any member of the Committee, and to make recommendations for the correction of these items, if necessary.

  Specific Roles of Members of the HSEAC

  The members of the HSE Advisory Committee shall analyze operations and facilities within their Centres/Departments involving, or proposed to be involved in activities of a potentially biologically hazardous nature. Tasks of the HSEAC members will include but not limited to: 
  1. Ensuring maintenance of a current inventory in their respective Centres/Departments: of all potentially hazardous activities including their nature, location and Principal Investigators involved;  
  2. Reviewing policies, programs, and directives in their respective Centres: regarding hazards in academic, research, and clinical activities. It shall also develop such policies and directives as are required to conform to needs and this policy;  
  3. Reviewing of facility operation and maintenance procedures: changes to those procedures shall, when necessary, be submitted to the HSEAC. Changes shall not be made without approval by both the Committee and the Director KEMRI;  
  4. To perform surveillance of activities: for conformance with laws, directives, and guidelines of regulatory and funding agencies, through building and laboratory audits;  
  5. Ensuring Maintenance of reference libraries: and dissemination of information to all who may need such knowledge regarding potential biologically hazardous materials and their control;  
  6. Reviewing and approval of proposed activities: facilities and containment features when required by KEMRI, National, or International directives;
  7. Developing Emergency planning: and the oversight of any decontamination, investigations, and reporting of incidents which may be required;  
  8. Advising the Administration and the staff members: regarding commendation for exemplary handling hazardous project; problems of a hazardous nature and of actions recommended. Such recommendations may include denial of proposed activities where suitable facilities, equipment or personnel are not available; modifications to facilities or equipment beyond the capability of those involved to attain safety; and/or sanctions against individuals who are non-cooperative in safety matters concerning their work. Under defined circumstances the HSEAC member may temporarily suspend any hazardous activity judged to pose a significant danger to health or safety.
   
  Frequency of Meetings: The Committee meets at least quarterly as given in the annual KEMRI schedule of secretariat meetings.

HSEAC policy