Below are some important documents and information for visiting researchers:
Visitor Information Document
This document provides an overview of information required for visiting researchers to the PRG laboratory. It includes general traveller information, contact details for PRG staff, required vaccinations and ethics requirements.
Vaccines Required
Any persons undertaking analyses in the PRG laboratory and handling excreta needs to be vaccinated as listed in the document below. Where possible, please have these done before arriving in Durban as it takes between 4 to 6 weeks for antibodies to develop.
Checklist/Requirements for Visiting Researchers
There are two checklists under this link. The first provides a checklist of actions that need to be completed prior to visiting the PRG, while the second is a document which provides an overview of all requirements for working in either the PRG or Newlands Mashu Research Site.
- Checklist for all researchers
Under this link you will find a checklist outlining what information needs to be supplied to the PRG, what forms need to be completed, and what actions need to be taken before, during and after undertaking research at the PRG. This differs depending on whether you are sending samples to the PRG for testing, or working in the laboratory/field with the PRG, so use this checklist as a guide and contact the laboratory manager should you have any questions.
- Requirements for undertaking research at the PRG
This document provides an overview of the procedures that are followed when undertaking research at the PRG.
- PRG indemnity form
This indemnity needs to be signed by anyone undertaking research in the PRG laboratory or field sites
- Health and Safety
As required by law, Act 85 of 1993(Occupational Health &Safety Act) provides for the health and safety of persons at work in connection with the use of plant or machinery, the protection of persons other than the persons at work against hazards to health and safety arising out of or connection with the activities of persons at work. In the interest of health and safety, this health and safety manual has been prepared to provide information and instruction at work for all staff, students and researchers within the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Research specific to Newlands Mashu Research Site
If you are wishing to undertake research projects at the Newlands Masu Research Site, the following documentation is relevant:
Laboratory and Field Questionnaire and Sample Analysis Questionnaire
Questionnaires for Researchers
Completing this MSWord form enables the PRG to plan in advance for visiting researchers. It requests information on the requirements for any field or laboratory experiments.
Sample Analysis Questionnaire
Completing this MSWord form provides the PRG with a guideline as to the type of sample analysis and data required.
Sanitation Tour
This document provides an overview of a “Sanitation Tour” which can be requested to be undertaken in order to obtain an overview of the different types of sanitation technologies currently in place within eThekwini and the research being undertaken by eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) and the PRG.
Research Equipment and Facilities
This manual provides an overview of the PRG laboratory and the equipment that is available to visiting researchers. Please note that as the Laboratory is currently undergoing an upgrade, this document will be reviewed and updated in 2018.
List of SOP's
The link below will take you to an overview of all the SOPs currently used by the PRG for the analysis of excreta samples. This includes SOPs for the transport of material, as well as safe disposal guidelines. As our SOPs are continuously being reviewed and updated, please check back regularly for revised editions.
Laboratory Analysis Cost Sheet
Under a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the PRG are able to offer laboratory analyses at a discounted rate to the end of October 2017. This document provides a list of the cost of all tests that can be undertaken in the laboratory.
Ethics Information
Any research that involves the use of human excreta streams, or interaction with human subjects, requires ethical clearance. The necessary forms are provided here. This process can take a few months to complete, and therefore the process needs to started as early as possible when planning collaborative projects. Further information can be found at http://research.ukzn.ac.za/Research-Ethics/Overview
Material Transfer Agreement
In order for samples to be brought, or sent, to the PRG for analysis, a Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) needs to be signed by both parties. The template used by UKZN for MTA is provided here. This process can take up to 2 months to complete, and therefore needs to be initiated timeously.
Import / Export Permits
In order for the PRG to accept any excreta samples from another country (or export such samples out of South Africa) an import/export permit is required. The PRG needs to apply for these which can take a few weeks, so please inform the PRG timeously if this is required.