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Lessons Learned from Fall 2024 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in late September, which included piloting a new one-week condensed schedule. This revised format more closely aligns IACUC processes with those used by external oversight bodies (e.g., AAALAC and the United States Department of Agriculture) and aims to reduce ...
Multi-colored graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Fall 2024 semi-annual facility inspections

Facilities Safety

U-M Research Safety Reminder: Reporting Incidents and Near Misses

Maintaining a strong research and academic safety culture is a central institutional value of the University of Michigan (U-M). To continually enhance this culture of safety, all members of the U-M research community – including faculty, staff, and students – are reminded of their responsibility to report any incidents and/or “near misses” that happen within ...

Facilities Policies Safety

Sharps Waste Disposal Extended to 18 Months

Earlier this year, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law into legislation which extends the timeline for disposal of sharps containers. Previously, state law mandated that sharps containers must be shipped for disposal within 90 days of the Accumulation Start Date, regardless of whether the container had been fully utilized. State law now allows ...

Facilities Safety

Summer is in Full Swing, Do the Proper Lab Attire Thing

With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to review the basics of proper personal attire in the laboratory with your staff – including any students –who may be involved with research. Personal attire worn in the laboratory and/or animal care facility MUST provide full coverage of the legs, feet, and torso REGARDLESS ...
Diagram of proper summer personal attire in the laboratory

Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2024 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-March. These inspections are one of the most important tools we have for routinely assessing programmatic strengths and identifying areas for individual and collective improvement(s) in service to the animals entrusted to our care. Through this lens of ...
Multi-colored graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Winter 2024 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections

Facilities Safety

Make Time this May to Organize and Label All Chemicals

To support University of Michigan researchers in their efforts to reduce the number of mislabeled or unlabeled chemicals, the Research Academic Safety Committee (RASC) is encouraging all laboratories to set aside time during the month of May to organize and properly label chemicals and other substances being stored in their space(s). Any expired or unneeded ...

Facilities Husbandry ULAM

Reminder: Please Reuse Acetates

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) uses acetates – colored, plastic cards placed over animal cage cards – to routinely communicate important information between laboratory personnel and our animal care teams. Acetates are a limited resource and, as such, should be reused whenever possible. If you are unsure about whether an acetate can be ...
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eRAM Facilities IACUC

Animal Transfers: Everything You Need to Know

The transfer of animals is the process of moving animals from one IACUC approved protocol to another IACUC approved protocol. To initiate the transfer process, an Animal Use Form (i.e., transfer form) must be completed. In some instances, the transfer process also includes physically transporting animals between housing locations. While animal transfers may contribute to a reduction ...
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Facilities Husbandry ULAM

ULAM Welcomes Two New Assistant Husbandry Managers

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the ULAM Husbandry Management Team. Lindsey Allen, BS, RLATG, and Renee McUmber, BS, RLATG, who have both served as ULAM Husbandry Supervisors, will be transitioning to their new roles as Assistant Managers on the ULAM Husbandry Management ...
Name tag icon that says "My Name is a New Member of Your Animal Care Team"

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP

Prior Justification, Approval Required for Transporting Animals in Personal Vehicles

To ensure animal health and welfare and minimize exposure to environmental stressors that may alter study results, transporting live animals in vehicles NOT specifically designed for such purposes (e.g., personal cars or public transportation) is generally NOT permitted. Transporting animals in personal vehicles is ONLY permissible AFTER the following requirements have been met: Transporting Animals ...
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Facilities IACUC

IACUC Semi-Annual Inspections Begin Tuesday, February 6

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) will begin its next round of semi-annual facility inspections on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Inspections will run through March and include any animal rooms, surgical suite support spaces, and areas where procedures are conducted with animals. Winter 2024 Facility Inspection Schedule View the complete Winter 2024 Institutional ...
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