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General Safety Guidelines

Animals play a pivotal role in research.  Researchers use experimental animals to create a model of human diseases, and to test potential drugs and medical devices. To do this, researchers may use many different hazardous chemical or biological agents. As a result, working with laboratory animals or their tissues/ fluids can be associated with potential health hazards to humans.

All research personnel must be properly trained to work with and handle experimental animals safely in order to prevent exposures and protect their health.

PI/Safety Designate/Lab Manager Responsibilities

The PI/Safety Designate/Lab Manager must:

  • Be familiar with the requirements for working safely with hazardous or potentially hazardous agents in experimental animals
  • Train research personnel in the proper handling of hazardous/potentially hazardous substances in experimental animals and the correct use of equipment
  • Keep and maintain accurate records relating to training of research personnel
  • Call 911 if medical attention for research personnel is required
  • Contact Research Safety if an accident occurs
  • Submit an Incident Report to Risk Management if an accident occurs

Research Personnel Responsibilities

All research personnel must:

  • Be familiar with the hazards associated with their job duties
  • Be familiar with Safety Data Sheets for hazardous agents used
  • Complete all safety training related to working with hazards
  • Inform the PI/Safety Designate/Lab Manager if an incident occurs

Engineering Controls

The use of engineering controls, for example biosafety cabinets or chemical fume hoods, is required:

  • Use a chemical fume hood to prepare hazardous/potentially hazardous chemical agents
  • Use a biosafety cabinet (Class 2 type B2 or A2) to prepare hazardous/potentially hazardous biological agents.
  • Use a chemical fume hood or Class II biosafety cabinet for solution sterilization
  • Use absorbent benchtop covers for easy cleanup within the biosafety cabinet's work area
  • Conduct operations that generate hazardous aerosols in biosafety cabinets or other ventilated enclosures

Administrative Controls

The following safe work practices must be followed:

  • Eating, drinking, or smoking are prohibited under any circumstances in the lab or any other spaces where animals are housed, treated, or collected for any diagnostic specimens
  • Do not store food in the research lab refrigerator or freezer
  • Do not touch your mouth, eyes, nose, or ears when working with animals being treated with hazardous/potentially hazardous agents
  • Do not keep or work with experimental animals in th lab near chemical storage space
  • Keep cell phones or other electronic devices in a plastic bag and clean them before you remove them when you are done working with experimental animals
  • Avoid using sharps when possible. Be extremely careful when using a needle and syringe or when using sharps during necropsy (autopsy) procedures.
  • Never remove, recap, bend, break, or clip used needles from disposable syringes. Use safe needles whenever possible.
  • Use a separate room or alcove with sanitizable curtains for animal work; try to avoid performing this work in open lab spaces.
  • Use a cart to transfer animals from the animal facility to the lab and back. Do not wear gloves in the elevator when transferring animals. Keep a pair of clean gloves in your pockets for emergencies.

Personal Protective Equipment

In the lab, wear a lab coat, gloves or double gloves, a mask, and safety eyewear.

In CCM, use personal protective equipment specifically assigned to the space (i.e., Containment, Barrier, Conventional, etc.).

Emergencies

If an emergency occurs:

  • Call 911 if medical attention is needed
  • Inform the PI/Safety Designate/Lab Manager
  • Visit Occupational Health for non-emergency treatment