Announcements

Facilities Safety

Important Reminder: Visitors and Volunteers in Animal Care Facilities

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our staff and the animals entrusted to our care. As outlined by the Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Visitors and Volunteers in Research Laboratories Policy, anyone wishing to bring a visitor (i.e., non U-M employee) into an active research facility on any U-M ...
Image of zebrafish room with visitor/volunteer badge

AAALAC

Did You Know? Translated Copies of The Guide Available for Download

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) is the primary standard by which AAALAC International (AAALAC) assesses and accredits animal care and use programs in the United States. This comprehensive book, now in its eighth edition (2011), provides a framework for “institutions in caring for animals in ways judged to ...
Front cover of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

eRAM IACUC

New IACUC Protocol Application Form – What Comes Next?

In December 2022, we announced that a new Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) protocol application and submission form – commonly referred to as “V2” – was being piloted in eRAM. To date, 60+ protocols have been created and approved by the IACUC using the new V2 format. What to Expect Currently, the V2 ...
Blue V2 protocol template icon with orange Coming Soon banner

Controlled Substances Drugs Guidelines IACUC Policies

Revised Policies, Guidelines Clarify Expectations for the Use of Expired Drugs and Medical Materials in Animals

We know that you rely on us – your Animal Care & Use Program partners – to provide the tools and resources necessary for safeguarding animal welfare while conducting sound scientific research. While it is clear that the administration and/or use of expired drugs and other substances can endanger animal health and compromise the validity ...
Picture of veterinary drugs and materials clearly labeled with expiration dates

ULAM

Save the Date & Connect with Your ULAM Faculty Veterinarian During Fall 2023 Check-In Meetings

To help keep the research community apprised of important updates and changes impacting animal care and use at the University of Michigan, ULAM Faculty Veterinarians will be hosting in-person Vet Check-In Meetings in November 2023. In addition to addressing facility-specific and attendee questions, veterinarians will also discuss several topics of interest, including: No RSVP is ...
Fall 2023 Faculty Vet Check-In Meetings icon of people sitting at table having conversation

Facilities Safety

Policy Expands Channel to Address Research Safety Incidents

An expanded policy, designed by the Research and Academic Safety Committee (RASC) and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), aims to enhance how the University of Michigan community addresses and resolves laboratory and research safety concerns. Schools, colleges, and research units have safety accountability plans in place to define local processes to appropriately manage safety issues ...
University of Michigan logo with Safety First text underneath

Facilities Policies Safety

Proper PPE: What’s In and What’s Out?

To protect the health and safety of research personnel, the animals entrusted to our care, and the larger U-M research community, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when working in and around animal facilities. Required PPE for individual rooms and circumstances is based on an Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) risk assessment that takes into ...
Icon of doors opening into facility with room entry sign

Training

Plan Ahead & Act Early: Cornerstone Online Learning Freeze Oct. 4–6

Cornerstone Learning – the learning management system for all animal care and use training classes provided through the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) Training Core – will be performing a security upgrade to online quiz functionality beginning Wednesday, October 4 through Friday, October 6. Users will still be able to launch assigned ULAM online training in the ...
Computer screen with Cornerstone Learning Quiz Module and dates for temporary quiz unavailability

Drugs ULAM

Ethiqa XR® Broached Vial Usage Extended to 90 Days

Fidelis Pharmaceuticals, the company that produces Ethiqa XR®, the first FDA-indexed extended-release buprenorphine formulation specifically for mice and rats, recently announced a change to the drug’s storage requirements. After extensive in-house studies and testing to collect sufficient efficacy data, the company has extended the drug’s storage and use to 90 days post vial broach. Previously, ...
Medicine vial labeled with 90 day expiration sticker

Facilities Safety

Four Key Reminders to Help Protect Against Animal Bites and Scratches

All animals – no matter the size – are capable of inflicting bites and scratches. Although the bites and scratches delivered by small animals, such as laboratory rodents and rabbits, usually result in only minor wounds, bites inflicted by larger animals may result in more serious tissue damage and could even lead to infection. Personnel ...
Female animal technician in scrubs sitting at computer desk looking at computer screen with EHS Reporting a Lab Incident Form