Review Policies and Resources that Promote Personnel, Animal Safety

Ensuring the health and safety of our program personnel, while continuing to improve upon the humane and responsible care of animals, is critical to the success of our Animal Care & Use Program.

All faculty and staff involved in animal care and use are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the following policies pertaining to personal protective equipment (PPE), the use of hazards in animal activities, and hygiene requirements for conducting animal activities:

• Personal Protective Equipment While Conducting Animal Activities: Outlines the minimum standards of PPE needed to control or prevent exposure to zoonotic organisms and allergens inherent in the animals, as well as hazardous materials exposures due to research activities.
   
• The Use of Hazardous Materials in Animal Activities: Details federal and state requirements pertaining to the use of hazardous materials in research, teaching, and testing activities that involve vertebrate animals.
   
• Personal Hygiene Requirements When Conducting Animal Activities: Explores the importance of hygiene practices that must be followed in order to mitigate risks against zoonotic agents found naturally in experimental animals, as well as hazardous materials used experimentally in approved animal studies. 

Please read all posted signage to ensure that you and your staff are following the proper procedures for protecting both yourself and the animals under our care.

Visits by any non-U-M individuals to areas where animals may be present should be planned and approved well in advance. Visitors should be accompanied by a credentialed U-M employee at all times during the visit and should obey all posted safety requirements (goggles, gloves, lab coats, etc.).

For your convenience, and for the safety of facility visitors, the Animal Care & Use Program has worked in close partnership with the Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) to develop a brochure on the occupational hazards and safety concerns associated with animal care facilities. Brochures are available for download from the Animal Use & Occupational Safety webpage and can be found in all major animal facility entry points across campus.

Specific questions about any of the policies listed above should be directed to the Animal Care & Use Office at acuoffice@umich.edu or (734) 763-8028. Safety and environmental health concerns should be directed to EHS at (734) 647-1143 or ehs-animalsafety@umich.edu.