ANIMAL CARE AND USE PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH GUIDELINES
A. INTRODUCTION
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety
(EHS) has developed this guide to serve as an accompaniment to the
1. “ACF” means the UA Animal Care Facility.
2. “Active portion of the ACF” areas within the ACF as defined by EHS where animals and/or material associated with their care and management may be located or transported.
3. Additional safety requirements will be needed if work with non-human primates is considered.
4. All work with animals is under the jurisdiction of the IACUC and procedures, housing, etc must meet these and other specified guidelines.
5. All work with animals shall be conducted at, and animals shall be housed at the ACF unless the IACUC determines it is in the best welfare of the animal for it to be located at another UA facility.
6. “DACF” means the Director of the Animal Care Facility.
7. “EHS” means the University of Alabama Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
8. “HEPA” means a high efficiency particulate absolute filter capable of trapping 99.97% of all particles with a diameter greater than 0.3 microns.
9. “IACUC” means the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
10. “OJI” means on the job injury.
11. “Pathogenic” means harmful to people, animals or plants.
12. “Personnel”
means a
13. “PPE” means personal protective equipment.
14. The Laboratory Safety Program will cover all portions of the Animal Care Facility and program.
15. “Transient” worker, student or visitor means persons who do not work directly with animals, their wastes, bedding or housing equipment but are exposed to animals.
16. “UAACUP”
means
1. Avoid skin and eye contact with all chemicals and materials.
2. Minimize all exposures.
3. Assume that all materials of unknown toxicity and hazard are very dangerous and handle according.
4. Utilize universal precautions.
5. Post warning signs when unusual hazards such as radiation, laser operations, flammable materials, biological agents or other special problems are present.
6. Avoid distracting or startling other persons.
7. Use equipment only for its designed purpose.
8. Never leave containers open.
9. Do not use unlabeled materials.
10. Do not taste or intentionally sniff materials.
11. Persons shall not smoke, consume food, apply cosmetics or store food in the active portion of the ACF.
12. Mouth suction for pipeting or starting a siphon shall not be used.
13. Confine long hair and loose clothing.
14. Shoes shall be worn at all times. Perforated shoes or sandals are not considered appropriate.
15. Determine the potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions before beginning any work.
16. Procedures should be developed which minimize the formation and dispersion of aerosols.
17. If possible, perform work in a fume hood, biological safety cabinet or other appropriately ventilated area to prevent exposures to airborne substances.
18. Avoid working alone in a building; do not work alone with animals if the procedures being conducted are hazardous.
19. The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) and the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) contained in the UA Chemical Hygiene Plan shall be observed at all times.
20. Access to the active portion of the ACF shall be limited.
21. Keep hands away from mouth, nose and eyes.
22. Remove gloves and wash hands after handling animals or tissues derived from them before leaving areas where animals are kept and prior to beginning work with different animal species or the same species under different experimental conditions.
1. Work areas shall be kept clean and free of obstructions.
2. Waste shall be deposited in appropriate receptacles.
3. Sharps such as needles, scalpels, broken glass, etc. shall be placed in approved sharps containers prior to disposal.
4. Surfaces should be kept clean of all spills.
5. Access to exits, emergency equipment, controls and other safety equipment must never be blocked.
6. Hallways and stairways must not be used as storage areas.
7. Work areas shall be cleaned at the end of any procedure or at least at the end of each workday.
8. A HEPA filtered vacuum should be used whenever possible to clean bedding, hair and dander from surfaces.
1. Records, which are to be maintained include but are not limited to:
OJI Reports
Medical surveillance reports
Training records
Inspection reports
Results of monitoring
Hazard analysis reports
Risk assessments
Job descriptions for ACF staff
Equipment inventories and logs
Sign in logs
Health history evaluations
Equipment inspections
Records related to animals
Training content
Reports related to the facility
PI Procedures and protocols
Autoclave operation and verification
Committee reports and actions
Inspections of emergency and safety equipment
ACF Procedures
2. Records, which could relate to the health and safety of an individual, shall be retained indefinitely.
3. Records must be retained in a manner that is conducive to easily being identified and found.
4. Records may be archived after 3 years.
1. The species of animals to be housed and the nature of the research that will use them must be clearly determined prior to initiation of work.
2. Adequate equipment and space must be available for the storage of hazardous materials.
3. Hazardous wastes must be stored in designated receptacles and areas.
4. The ventilation system must be capable of providing the specified number of air changes.
5. Local exhaust systems should operate within the guidelines of the UA-CHP.
6. Hallways, doors, corridors, etc. must remain free of obstructions to allow unobstructed travel and access to utilities and mechanical areas.
7. EHS shall, at least annually or whenever facility design or operational changes are made, survey the ACF and other areas where animals are housed to insure compliance with general safety, hazardous material, chemical hygiene guidelines and the requirements of this manual.
8. Work surfaces shall be non porous and easily cleaned and disinfected.
9. Equipment should be inspected at least annually and before each use. A log of these inspections shall be maintained.
10. Engineering controls and/or equipment should be considered when heavy loads must be moved.
11. Controls should be in place to reduce stress associated with repetitive operations.
12. EHS shall conduct a performance test of each fume hood at least annually.
13. Biological Safety cabinets shall be certified annually.
14. UV lamps used for biocidal purposes shall be changed at least annually.
1. Face shields should be worn in the vicinity of animals, which could contaminate workers with hazardous material.
2. Gloves, lab coats, shoe covers, etc. shall be worn as appropriate.
3. As a minimum, all persons who work in areas where animals are housed or procedures involving animals, their bedding, waste, cages, etc. are done shall wear lab coats, gloves and eye protection, with the exception of transient persons.
4. University personnel who are symptomatic to respiratory exposures shall be provided EHS approved respiratory protection.
5. Leather gloves in conjunction with latex gloves should be used if an animal bite or scratch is a reasonable possibility.
6. Glove material shall provide an adequate barrier against the hazard involved.
7. Disposable gloves should not be reused.
8. Protective clothing and equipment shall not be worn outside active portion of the ACF.
1.
The
ACF shall have an emergency response plan, which is consistent with the UA plan
and the
2. The plan shall address situations such as fire, power failure, weather emergencies, hazardous spills, etc.
3. The plan must consider the needs of the animals and all persons associated with the Animal Care and Use Program.
4. The plan shall be reviewed by all affected institutions, organizations and individuals.
5. Emergency phone numbers and basic procedures shall be conspicuously posted in each lab where animals are used or housed and throughout the ACF.
6. For all emergencies contact UAPD (8-5454) or dial 911. Inform the dispatcher that animals are present in the area.
1. All personnel, students and visitors who will handle or come into direct contact with animals shall be trained in proper animal handling techniques.
2. The IACUC, EHS and the Director of the ACF shall evaluate the causes of any injuries or illnesses resulting from animal handling, exposure to animals, animal waste or contact with equipment used to house or contain animals.
3. Animal handling and management procedures shall be reviewed initially by the IACUC and thereafter by the DACF and IACUC at least every six months or whenever the procedures or animals utilized are changed.
4. Loose fitting clothing, long hair, neckties etc. should not be worn around animals which could grab and injure the individual.
5. Training involving animal hazards should be specific to the animals being used.
6. Animal housing must be periodically evaluated by ACF staff for security and effectiveness.
7. Whenever possible, consideration should be given to immobilization of the animal during procedures to reduce the risk of injury.
8. The potential animal hazards should be considered prior to initiation of an experiment or procedure.
1. If chemicals or materials of unknown toxicity or hazard are utilized a comprehensive plan for their handling and use must be developed by the principal investigator (PI) and approved by the IACUC.
2. Universal precautions shall be utilized for materials or chemicals of unknown toxicity or hazard.
1. The UA Chemical Hygiene Plan and Laboratory Guide (CHP) should be consulted for guidelines regarding chemical and physical hazards.
2. The UA Radiation Safety Manual should be consulted for guidelines regarding the use of isotopes and radiation producing machines.
3. The UA Biological Safety Manual should be consulted for guidelines regarding the use of biological agents and recombinant DNA.
4. Other University guidelines and manuals which should be consulted regarding specific hazards, procedures and requirements include but are not limited to:
Hazardous Material Management Program Guidelines
Basic Ergonomic guidelines
General Safety Guidelines
Fire Safety Guidelines
Respiratory Protection Program
Laser Safety Guidelines
Medical Waste Management
5. Manuals and policies are available from EHS.
6. Potential hazards should be considered prior to initiation of an experiment as protocol.
7. Procedures should be as simple as possible in order to minimize potential exposures.
1. The transmission of zoonotic disease in the laboratory animal environment is uncommon. Personal hygiene is the most critical barrier to the transmission of zoonoses. All persons share the responsibility of protecting their own health. Medical professionals must be made aware of an individual exposure to laboratory animals. Attending physicians must be knowledgeable in methods for detecting and managing zoonoses.
2. In order to lessen the chances of disease transmission or infection, the animal care program must have an ectoparasite control element and practice good veterinary care and procedures.
3. Animals should be kept clean.
4. Vermin and pest control is essential in all areas where animals are housed.
5. Animals, which are brought into the ACF or satellites, should have histories that preclude their exposure to rabies or show evidence of vaccination.
M. ALLERGENS
1. Training programs shall include evaluations that seek to identify individuals with a history of allergies.
2. Persons with a history of allergic reactions to certain animals should never work alone with those animals.
3. Measures should be taken to minimize airborne animal urine, saliva, hair, dander, etc.
4. Animals and their cages should be kept clean in order to minimize exposures to allergens.
5. People with pre-existing animal sensitivity should minimize repetitive exposure.
6. Ventilated hoods or workstations for cage emptying and cage cleaning with HEPA filtered, recirculated air will reduce exposure to allergens.
7. Filter top cages should be used whenever appropriate instead of conventional open top cages.
8. Cage and rack systems should exhaust air through a HEPA filter before returning it to the room.
9. Solid bottom cages should be used for mice and rats.
10. Bedding should be noncontact absorbent pads rather than litter, chips or sawdust to reduce airborne concentrations of allergens.
11. Allergic individuals should consult a physician regarding the advisability of a self-administered form of epinephrine.
1. Administrative and Engineering controls are the preferred methodology for minimizing potentially hazardous exposures.
2. Work practice modification is a viable means of minimizing exposures.
3. If exposures cannot be adequately controlled or minimized by engineering controls or work practice modification, personal protective equipment shall be utilized.
4. Fume hoods shall be utilized to prevent hazardous fumes, vapors, dusts or mists from entering a work area.
5. Biological safety cabinets shall be utilized for work with pathogenic agents.
6. Cage filter tops shall be utilized to prevent cross contamination with infectious agents.
7. Access to work areas where a potentially hazardous exposure may occur should be limited.
8. Warnings regarding hazards and special requirements shall be posted.
9. Keep hands away from mouth, nose, eyes and skin.
10. Work surfaces shall be decontaminated prior to after work and following any hazardous spills.
11. Use appropriate gloves to prevent cuts, skin exposure, bites and scratches.
12. Needles, which conform to the Bloodborne pathogen needle stick rule, shall be used.
13. Floors should be disinfected at least weekly and whenever contaminated.
14. Personal protective equipment shall be utilized as instructed.
1. Each person who enters the ACF or does work approved by the IACUC must complete a health screening evaluation prior to entry to the active portion of the ACF or initiating work with animals.
2. The health screening shall seek to identify persons who may be at risk for developing laboratory animal allergy or asthma.
3. Skin testing or in vitro tests to detect the presence of specific IgE antibodies to animals and other allergens shall be provided if determined by a physician to be advisable.
4. The ACF staff shall receive a physical evaluation annually including a comprehensive history, chest x-ray and pulmonary function test.
5. All personnel who are required to wear a respirator shall be fit tested, and receive a medical clearance by a physician including a comprehensive history, chest x-ray and pulmonary function test.
6. When personnel develop allergic symptoms related to UA laboratory animal exposures an OJI form should be completed.
7. Non personnel who develop allergic symptoms related to UA laboratory animal exposures shall complete a student (non-employee) Incident Report.
8. All animal bites, regardless of severity, must be reported on the appropriate Incident Report.
9. Transient persons must complete the “Transient Worker/Student/Visitor Evaluation Form” each time they enter the ACF.
10. All persons (employees, students, visitors) who work directly with animals must complete the “Health History Medical Evaluation Form”, at least annually and whenever their medical status changes.
11. Transient Evaluation Forms must be reviewed by the DACF, Chair of the IACUC, Director of EHS, or their designees prior to entry of the person in question, to the active portion of the ACF. Based on information provided, entry may be prohibited until consultation with a medical professional.
12. Transient persons who describe symptoms as a result of their exposure to lab animals must thereafter complete the ACF Health History Medical Evaluation Form prior to entry to the active portion of the ACF.
13. During the log in/out process any symptoms of allergy or illness and any injuries related to animals shall be noted, and the appropriate OJI or incident form completed.
14. University
employees who require medical treatment shall complete the OJI form and receive
treatment at the
15. UA students
who require medical treatment shall complete the student (non-employee)
Incident report and receive treatment at the
16. Persons who
are not UA employees or students who require medical treatment shall complete
the student (non-employee) Incident Report and receive treatment at University
17. All OJI and incident reports shall be reviewed by EHS and the DACF for preventive action.
18. Access for persons who are highly susceptible to infection with the agent under study or for whom infection might be unusually hazardous shall be limited or in some cases prohibited from areas where the agent is handled or the animals are used or housed.
19. Collection and storage of baseline serum samples may be collected from persons who receive annual physicals and those who are treated for an OJI if appropriate, as determined by a physician.
20. Serological surveillance shall be conducted for at risk personnel as determined by a physician.
21. Immunization is recommended for at risk persons when appropriate.
22. The DACF and EHS shall identify persons at risk by job title and name. This evaluation shall be reviewed at least annually.
23. Medical reports including diagnostic and testing results shall be provided to the person receiving care.
24. ACF staff shall receive at no cost to themselves an annual and exit physical including but not limited to a medical history, chest x-ray and pulmonary function test.
25. Any female involved in animal care and use who becomes pregnant is encouraged to notify her supervisor and personal physician. Certain precautions may be necessary.
26. Individuals are encouraged to report occupational health and safety concerns, without any form of reprisal.
1. Persons who work directly with animals, animal waste, bedding or equipment used to house or contain animals shall receive initial training and thereafter complete annual refresher training.
2. Initial training shall consist of a review of: animal hazards, allergens, physical hazards, chemical hazards, personal protective equipment, hazards associated with procedures, route of entry, mechanism exposure minimization, occupational health requirements, work practices, zoonoses, emergency procedures, where to find safety and health information and other pertinent topics.
3. Initial training may be provided via interactive computer training, however, a knowledgeable person must be available to answer questions and provide assistance.
4. Transient personnel, students and visitors who enter the active portion of the ACF but will not work with animals, animal waste, bedding or equipment used to house or contain animals shall receive informational training.
5. Informational training shall consist of a review of; basic precautions, potential health concerns such as allergic reactions and what to do if they occur.
6. Informational training may be provided in written form, however a knowledgeable person must be available to answer questions and provide assistance.
7. A written copy of all training materials must be maintained.
8. The DACF shall conduct a monthly safety meeting of ACF staff at which pertinent ACF issues as well a general safety concerns shall be discussed.
9. Faculty, personnel and students who work directly with animals shall be invited to attend these monthly meetings.
10. Persons identified, as at risk by history evaluation or medical findings for developing laboratory animal allergy shall receive training regarding protective measurers and limiting exposures.
11. Sensitized persons who develop asthma shall receive training concerning their likelihood of experiencing symptoms when exposed to animals and activities, which involve physical exertion.
12. On line access to relevant health and safety information shall be provided.
13. Annual training regarding the emergency plan shall be provided.
14. Persons who wear personal protective equipment shall be provided training regarding the use of the equipment, maintenance, storage, when the equipment is inappropriate, why the equipment is necessary and other pertinent topics.
15. Specialized training (such as radiation safety, chemical hygiene, etc.) shall be provided as necessary.
16. Records shall be maintained indefinitely regarding training consisting of; subject of training, presenter, media utilized, location, date, attendees and other appropriate information.
17. The DACF is responsible for maintaining all training records associated with the ACF.
1. Only authorized personnel, sponsored visitors and UA maintenance employees are permitted access tot he active portion of the ACF.
2. All means of entrance to the active portion of the ACF shall be locked at all times. The only exception is during egress or when an ACF staff member is in the ACF office.
3. An audible signal or communication device shall be provided outside the ACF so personnel may be summoned.
4. Keys shall be limited to ACF staff and only necessary UA personnel.
5. A list shall be maintained of all personnel who have key access to the ACF.
6. All persons who enter the active portion of the ACF shall log in and out.
7. ACF staff shall wear photo ID.
8. Transient persons who enter the ACF shall be escorted by ACF personnel or a registered UAACUP participant.
9. Security requirements may be altered depending on the hazards present in the ACF.
10. An accurate listing shall be maintained of all persons registered to work in the ACF or with animals.
1. Animals may be utilized outside the ACF, if the IACUC determines it is in the best welfare of the animal to be located in another facility.
2. Satellite operations shall follow these guidelines with the following exceptions.
3. Exception: Personal protective equipment shall be used when in contact with the animal, animal waste, bedding or housing. PPE shall not be worn outside of the lab or immediate area.
4. Exception: The lab or area shall have signage at each entrance notifying people of the presence of an animal. The signage must also identify hazards (such as allergens) and who to notify in case of a suspected problem (lab supervisor). In this event the person should complete the appropriate incident or injury report.
5. Exception: Persons who work directly with animals shall complete the Health History Medical Evaluation Form. Persons assigned to the lab or area but not directly working with animals shall complete the Transient Evaluation Form.