Every member of the University of Michigan (U-M) research community has a shared responsibility for ensuring a safe and secure research environment for their peers as well as the animals entrusted to our care.
With the fall semester rapidly approaching, we ask that all individuals affiliated with our Animal Care & Use Program review institutional policies for personnel involvement in animal activities – specifically as they pertain to observers, visitors, volunteers, students, and other short-term personnel.
Policy Summaries
Generally speaking, three key policies outline institutional expectations for personnel involvement in animal and research-related activities:
The Policy on the Classification and Expectations of Personnel Involved with Animal Activities provides the basic requirements for training, occupational health and safety, and limitations on animal handling based on an individual’s personnel classification level.
The Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Visitors and Volunteers in Research Laboratories Policy pertains to all visitors (i.e., a non U-M employee) entering an active research facility and/or laboratory space on any U-M campus, including Michigan Medicine.
Visits by minors (individuals under the age of 18 who are NOT enrolled as U-M students) are addressed in greater detail via the EHS Minors in Research and Academic Areas Policy.
Who is Responsible
Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for:
Ensuring that any individual working with animals under his/her advisement are:
- Appropriately trained,
- Apprised of any hazards or risks (e.g., occupational hazards and safety concerns associated with animal care facilities), and
- Adhering to all applicable regulatory requirements, including policies approved by U-M’s Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee.
Providing direct supervision and oversight of individuals who are not approved to handle animals and/or perform certain procedures with animals.
Sharing the Quick Reference Sheet: A Guide for Students & Short-Term Personnel Working Around Animals with all observers and/or short-term personnel, including individuals who are in a classroom setting where any animal(s) covered under the PI’s IACUC approved protocol may be present. This sheet contains important information about:
- Personnel requirements for working with animals,
- How to work safely in and around animal facilities,
- How to report animal welfare concerns, and
- How to obtain veterinary care.
Any U-M faculty or staff member wishing to bring a visitor or volunteer (i.e., a non-U-M employee) into an active research facility, laboratory space, and/or animal care facility on any U-M campus is responsible for:
Adhering to their department’s approval process for visitors/volunteers.
Submitting a written request at least two weeks in advance for visits to any area where animals may be present (including the vivarium or a laboratory space where procedures with animals may be conducted). Requests should be sent to [email protected] and include the following information:
- Reason for the visit,
- Planned visit location(s),
- Name of person(s) responsible for escorting the visitor(s), and
- Any special requests for support from the Animal Care & Use Program Team.
Accompanying the visitor/volunteer** at all times during the visit and ensuring that the individual(s):
- Obey all safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements,
- Read and adhere to all instructions posted on signage throughout the animal care facility,
- Remain cognizant of important security considerations (e.g., no “tailgating” through doorways or propping doors open), and
- Do NOT handle any animals, perform any procedures with animals, or participate in any research activity using hazardous materials or equipment UNLESS all requisite approval processes outlined by the Policy on the Classification and Expectations of Personnel Involved with Animal Activities and/or Visitors and Volunteers in Research Laboratories Policy have been completed and appropriately documented.
**Members of the media must also be accompanied by a representative from the Department of Communication for any visit to a Michigan Medicine facility. For university facilities not affiliated with Michigan Medicine, it is strongly encouraged that communications representatives from respective U-M departments accompany members of the media during a visit.
Questions?
- Questions about expectations for personnel involvement in animal activities should be directed to the Quality Assurance Team in the Animal Care & Use Office at [email protected].
- Questions about visitors or volunteers in research areas and/or laboratory spaces should be directed to [email protected].
We appreciate that so many members of our research community are proud of the life changing work being done here and are excited to share these important advancements with others. Helping us safeguard the people, places, and animals who make this work possible is critical to the continued integrity and success of our research enterprise.
Thank you for doing your part to promote and protect responsible research at the University of Michigan!