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Updates to Hazardous Agents Administration SOP

December 16, 2020

Button listing expected adherence date for new Hazardous Agents Administration SOP proceduresEnsuring the health and safety of research personnel and the animals entrusted to our care is critical to the long-term sustainability of a strong Animal Care & Use Program.

To help establish clearer expectations for personnel who perform procedures that involve the handling of animals or animal equipment contaminated with hazardous substances, the Animals Administered a Hazardous Substance Requiring Containment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has recently been updated.

UPDATES AFFECT ALL PERSONNEL WHO:

  • Are involved in the administration of hazardous substances to animals,
  • Use equipment contaminated with hazardous substances, and/or
  • Are involved in animal cage changing.

 

Posters summarizing key SOP changes (also highlighted below) will be placed in affected animal care and use facilities in the coming weeks. Posters will be divided by individual roles and responsibilities (i.e., one poster will highlight changes impacting ULAM husbandry personnel and one poster will highlight changes impacting research personnel).

Every individual who may perform procedures that involve the handling of animals or animal equipment contaminated with hazardous substances must read the SOP in its entirety to ensure that they are familiar with, and adhere to, all requisite procedures.

All individuals, including ULAM husbandry staff and research personnel, are expected to follow all updated procedures as outlined in the SOP by Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

Summary of Changes

PROCEDURE / AREA OF INTEREST NEW / REVISED PROCEDURE SUMMARY
  Containment Room
Entry Procedure Signs		  

Two separate signs have been combined into one Containment Room Entry Procedure Sign. This sign now includes information on where to find additional hazards information (Containment Room Binder) within the room.

Signs are specific to species with the same entry procedures/PPE requirements:

  • One sign for all rodent rooms
  • One sign for all chicken/rabbit rooms
  • One sign for all pig/sheep/dog/cat rooms

Signs are listed in Appendix A of the updated SOP

  
  Information in Containment
Room Binders		  

The SOP now includes links (see Appendices B and E) to important hazard(s) information such as Pathogen Safety Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheet Locator Signs that will also be included in each Containment Room Binder.

  
  Required PPE for Rodent
v. Non-Rodent Rooms		  
  • Information about PPE requirements for non-rodent containment housing rooms has been moved to the SOP Appendices Section (see Appendix G and H)
  • The SOP now includes ONLY information about PPE requirements for rodent containment housing rooms
  
  Exceptions to Wearing Required PPE  

Clarification that personnel who are unable to wear the required PPE should refer to the EHS Animal Handler PPE Chart for instructions on approved alternatives.

  
  Use of Forceps  

Clarification that use of forceps is required in containment housing rooms.

  
  Cage Per-Diem Rates  

The per-diem rate listed on cages should reflect the containment housing rate. Questions should be directed to your facility’s ULAM Husbandry Supervisor. yellow lock icon

  
  Labeling of Weaned/
Separated Cages		   Animals that are weaned or separated from another cage will be labeled with the same information and sticker from the originating cage.  
  Cage Change Order  
  • Cage change order has been updated. Please refer to the yellow acetates on cages for cage manipulation order (see Appendix J)
  • The cage change order as outlined in the SOP must be followed for each housing room/individual cubicle
  • A new appendix (Appendix J) has been added that contains a flowchart with pictures of corresponding cage labels and cage change order. A flowchart will be posted in each containment housing room.
  
  Cage Densities for Rat Transport    
  Wiping Down Cages  

Housing and secondary transport cages need to be wiped down BEFORE leaving the lab to return to containment housing.

  
  Handling Spills During Transport  

Specific information on how to handle a hazards spill during transport has been added (see Section 13 in the SOP).

  
  When to Contact EHS
for Loose Animals		  

Clarification that EHS only needs to be contacted IF a live trap is set for a loose animal OR the animal has caused an injury to personnel. Incidents should be reported to EHS-AnimalSafety@umich.edu.

  
  Carcass Labeling & Disposal  

Information about carcass labeling and disposal has been removed from this SOP. Individuals should reference the Documenting, Disposal, and Reporting Animal Deaths SOP for how to properly label and dispose of hazardous animal carcasses.

  
  Sanitizing Door Handles   Door handles must be sanitized if the door was opened with gloved hands.  
  Washing & Sanitizing Hands  
  • Remove gloves and use hand sanitizer PRIOR TO exiting the animal housing/procedure room
  • Wash hands AFTER exiting the animal housing/procedure room and BEFORE leaving the area/facility where animals are housed
  
  Biohazard Bags  

Dirty infectious caging can go in either clear biohazard bags or brown refuse bags.
Red biohazard bags cannot be used.

Label bags with the date and name of the person packing the bag.

  
  RCRA Waste Disposal   RCRA waste (which is more highly-regulated than other waste types) cannot be placed in the same container as non-RCRA waste; it must go in a separate container.  
  Preparing Materials   All preparation of materials must be completed in the lab.  
  Use of Concentrated Materials   Concentrated materials must NOT be taken to animal housing or procedure rooms.  
  Handling Non-Concentrated Spills   Specific information on procedures for handling non-concentrated spills (e.g., spills of soiled bedding and/or water containing a hazard) when changing/manipulating cages has been added (see Section 13.f).  
  Handling Broken Glass   Specific instructions on how to handle broken glass from containment housing rooms have been added (see Section 14).  
  Infectious & Chemical Agent Forms  
  • A rodent and non-rodent form with corresponding PPE have been made for each type of agent
  • Non-rodent forms have been updated to state that N-95 masks are required when creating aerosols
  • Forms now include headers indicating which species they are applicable to
  
  Chicken/Rabbit Containment Room Entry Procedure Sign   A Containment Room Entry Procedure Sign for chickens/rabbits must be posted on containment housing room doors. Research personnel should refer to this sign for appropriate entry procedures.  
  Required PPE for Chicken/Rabbit Containment Housing Rooms  
  • Personnel only need to don one pair of gloves in room
  • Surgical masks do NOT need to be worn unless aerosols are being created
  • All individuals working in the room must wear the highest level of PPE (as outlined by the Room Entry Procedure Sign)
  
  Disinfecting Procedures for Chicken/Rabbit Containment Housing Rooms   Change to EPA-approved disinfectant that is required to disinfect cage cards and acetates being removed from the room (now means that SaniCloths can also be used).  
  Pig/Dog/Sheep/Cat Containment Room Entry Procedure Sign   A Containment Room Entry Procedure Sign for pigs/dogs/sheep/cats must be posted on containment housing room doors. Research personnel should refer to this sign for appropriate entry procedures.  
  Required PPE for Pig/Dog/Sheep/
Cat Containment Housing Rooms		  
  • Personnel only need to don one pair of gloves in room
  • Surgical masks do NOT need to be worn unless aerosols are being created
  • All individuals working in the room must wear the highest level of PPE (as outlined by the Room Entry Procedure Sign)
  
  Disinfecting Procedures for Pig/Dog/Sheep/Cat Containment Housing Rooms   Change to EPA-approved disinfectant that is required to disinfect cage cards and acetates being removed from the room (now means that SaniCloths can also be used).  
  Labeling Cages & Bottles   Appendix I has been updated with new pictures to reflect the new tiered order for changing cages.  

Questions?

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Posted on: Friday, April 16, 2021 - 09:40