Report Animal Concerns

Safety

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

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

Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2023 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 2023 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections

Facilities Safety

The Do’s and Don’ts of Proper Personal Attire in the Laboratory

Reviewing the basics of proper personal attire in the laboratory with your staff – including students – is critical for maintaining a safe and secure research environment for all personnel, as well as the animals entrusted to our care. REGARDLESS of outdoor weather conditions, please remember that personal attire worn in the laboratory and/or animal care ...
Infographic showing proper personal attire for the laboratory

AAALAC Facilities Safety

AAALAC Site Visit Begins Tuesday, June 13

Beginning this Tuesday, June 13, and running through Friday, June 16, U-M will be hosting site visitors from AAALAC International (AAALAC) for the university’s re-accreditation site visit. During this time, you should anticipate a visit to all animal housing locations on campus, as well as visits to many laboratories. Please review the complete Site Visit Schedule ...
AAALAC International logo with 2023 Site Visit dates underneath

Facilities Safety

EHS Implements New Repeat Deficiencies Process

In an effort to strengthen research and academic safety across the University of Michigan, beginning this month, laboratory inspection reports generated by the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) will now identify repeat deficiencies. A “repeat deficiency” is defined as a deficiency that is cited in two consecutive laboratory inspections. As EHS works diligently ...
Maize text on blue background: EHS Inspection Update on Repeat Deficiencies

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP

Hazardous Substance Administration SOP Recently Updated

To ensure that all members of the U-M animal care and use community have the tools and resources necessary to comply with best practice standards in animal care and laboratory safety, the Animals Administered a Hazardous Substance Requiring Containment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been updated. Key SOP changes are summarized below and will be highlighted on posters ...
Button listing expected May 2023 adherence date for new Hazardous Agents Administration SOP procedures

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP ULAM

Handle With Care: Reminders for Safe Animal Transport

Transporting animals on campus (either from room to room, building to building, or through a public area) requires heightened attention to detail to ensure that animal health and welfare is maintained at all times. This includes, but is NOT limited to, preventing injury or escape, reducing environmental stressors (e.g., ambient temperature extremes, odors, and excessive ...
Handle with Care blue and green hands icon with yellow health shield

Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Fall 2022 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 2022 semi-annual facility inspections

eRAM Safety

Review EHS Safety Findings to Protect Your Lab Personnel

Principal Investigators (or their proxies as assigned in eRAM) are required to identify any hazardous materials and operations that may be used as part of their animal use protocol. Based on the specific details (e.g., species, hazard type, dosage, route of administration) provided by the Study Team, the U-M Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Department ...
Computer screen illustration with magnifying glass reviewing simulated EHS safety findings