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Safety

Nominations Sought for Excellence in Research Safety Awards

Safety in all academic and research endeavors is a core institutional value at the University of Michigan. To recognize the tremendous efforts taken by staff and leaders throughout campus to support this important mission, the Research and Academic Safety Committee (RASC) has launched the Excellence in Research Safety Awards. The awards will be given in ...

Facilities Husbandry Safety

What Makes a Good Research Neighbor? Best Practices for Animal Care Facilities

Regardless of role – student, faculty, staff, technician, administrator – all members of the U-M community can contribute to the development of a safe and secure research environment. Though these contributions inevitably vary between departments and job responsibilities, there are several best practices that any AND all individuals can follow to help ensure that they’re ...
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Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

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

eRAM Safety Training

Email Overload? Protocol Maintenance Can Help!

We know that your time is valuable and acknowledge the high volume of emails you receive at an institution of our size. To help manage expectations (and your inbox!), we have put together the following quick guide on email communications from the Animal Care & Use Program. Generally speaking, most emails from our Program are ...
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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 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 ...
Personal vehicle and public transportation prohibited icon

Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Fall 2023 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-September. 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 Fall 2023 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP ULAM

Be in the Know Before You Go: Procedures for Safe Animal Transport

Any individual who MAY be responsible for transporting animals on campus should be familiar with the Procedures for Animal Transportation. This document includes detailed species-specific transport instructions, information about donning of Personal Protective Equipment, methods for avoiding exposure to potential pathogens, and techniques to minimize environmental stressors (e.g., temperature extremes, odors, excessive noise). Whether moving ...
Handle with Care yellow and orange animal transportation procedures reminder icon with green health shield