120 likes | 232 Views
NIH Blue Ribbon Panel on Risk Assessment of the BUMC National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories. Teleconference January 7, 2009 10:00 – 11:30 AM. Discussion Topics. Work Plan Update re Risk Assessment studies Community Engagement Report Briefings and timeline Next Steps.
E N D
NIH Blue Ribbon Panel on Risk Assessment of the BUMC National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories Teleconference January 7, 2009 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Discussion Topics • Work Plan • Update re Risk Assessment studies • Community Engagement Report • Briefings and timeline • Next Steps
Workplan (I): Risk Assessment • Science • Oversight of Study Design, Conduct, and Analysis • Communication • Preparation of Report • Key: Risk Communication • Briefing by Peter Sandman • Design of Report(s)
Workplan (I): Risk Assessment • Process and Perceptions • Addressing Concerns of the NRC, Public, Courts, and State Agency • Engagement of the NRC • Public Communication
Workplan (II): Community Engagement Report • Changes made prior to ACD meeting: • Recommendation that NIH foster professional development and training of individuals with technical expertise needed by RBLs and NBLs • Portrayal of phase-in of research operations as an evolving best practice, rather than a standard • Explicit mention of employees as a key stakeholder community • Mention of occupational health plans as part of information that should be communicated to the community
BRP Comments on the Community Engagement Report • Need enough detail to facilitate implementation • Need enough latitude to tailor to specific community • Should not undermine working relationships at other BSL3 & BSL4 Facilities • Provide guidance on what constitutes “community” • Ensure geographic, occupational, organizational membership • Workers as community, protection not only essential, but opportunity to build trust • Provide guidance on what constitutes “transparency” and “involvement” • Beyond public meetings and risk communication • Actions to build and ensure mutual trust
BRP Comments on the Community Engagement Report • Should include historical and recent guidance documents developed for federal programs • Framework for Environmental Health Risk Management, Final Report Volume 1, 1997, The Presidential/Congressional Commission on Risk Assessment and Risk Management. • Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision Making, Thomas Dietz and Paul C. Stern, Editors, Panel on Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision Making, National Research Council Committees on the Human Dimensions of Global Change (HDGC), and Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE), 2008 • Discussion of benefits and risks of community participation, ground rules for decision-making, concepts to guide identification of “community”
Other Issues Raised for Further Discussion* • Transparency – page #3 • Community engagement – page #3 • Local public health authority’s role in community engagement • Specific transparency mechanisms that apply to IBCs – Page #4 • Phase-in of community engagement – page #5 * See Community Engagement Report from George Friedman-Jimenez dated October 3, 2008
Next Steps for Risk Assessment • Oversight of Study Design, Conduct, and Analysis • Review RAWP and provide comments by January 8 • January 14 BRP Teleconference to discuss BRP comments regarding the RAWP • January 16 Meeting with Tetra Tech, NIH, BU, and BRP Members
Next Steps for Risk Assessment • Preparation of Report • Collect references regarding risk communication • Addressing Concerns of the NRC, Public, Courts, and State Agency • Review proposal for communication regarding the risk assessment • Review proposal regarding community engagement
Next Steps on the Community Engagement Report • Review revised draft and provide comments by February 2