Report Animal Concerns

Safety

Safety SOP

Safety Check: Animals Perfused with Paraformaldehyde and Formalin

Formalin and paraformaldehyde (PFA) are used as fixatives that act to preserve and stabilize cells and tissues prior to the examination process. The most common application of these agents is transcardial perfusion. Because formalin and PFA solutions emit formaldehyde gas, a known human carcinogen, safe handling of these agents and the appropriate disposal of all ...

Husbandry Safety SOP

Reminders for Transporting Animals Between Buildings and Throughout Campus

When transporting animals between animal care facilities (either from room to room, building to building, or through a public area), please remember that all methods of transport MUST, first and foremost, provide for the health and welfare of the animals. Transport must also: A comprehensive list of procedures for transporting all animal species within or ...
Purple reminder icon

Husbandry Safety SOP

Take Special Precautions When Transporting Animals in Extreme Temperatures

Ensuring the overall integrity and well-being of animals in transport is essential to maintaining animal welfare and minimizing the effects of environmental variables on your research. In addition to avoiding exposure to potential pathogens and preventing injury, it is especially important to maintain the animal’s health status by reducing external stressors such as temperature extremes, ...
Transport truck and cold weather icons

Husbandry Safety

Animal Bites and Scratches: Prepare, Protect, Report

All animals are capable of inflicting bites and scratches. Small animals, such as laboratory rodents and rabbits, usually deliver relatively minor, albeit painful, wounds. Bites inflicted by larger animals can potentially result in tissue damage. Bite and scratch wounds can become infected by the animal’s normal bacterial flora found on the oral mucous membranes or ...
First aid briefcase with safety report icon

Safety

EHS Offers New Tools, Resources for Field Studies

The Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) has recently updated their website to provide additional tools and resources for individuals conducting field research. Updates include: Visit the EHS website for additional EHS Field Research Safety Guidance. Please note that the tools and resources listed on this page do NOT pertain to IACUC policies governing ...
Blue tools and resources icon

Husbandry Safety SOP

Updated Procedures for Animal Transportation Clarify Processes for Transport Involving Personal Vehicles

To ensure the safety and well-being of the animals being transported, as well as the safety of personnel in areas where animals must pass, all individuals involved in animal care and use should familiarize themselves with the Procedures for Animal Transportation. In addition to outlining species-specific transport instructions and ways to minimize environmental stressors to ...
Animal transportation icon

Safety

Have You Checked Your Eyewash Station This Month?

During the most recent round of semi-annual IACUC facility inspections, we encountered many instances of eyewash stations not being flushed monthly. These issues are not specific to one area, but have been found all across campus and in many laboratories. Proper care and regular maintenance of emergency eyewash stations is crucial to protecting your laboratory ...
Image of an eyewash station with reminder to check monthly ensure proper care

Safety

The Dangers of Needle Recapping and How to Protect Yourself

Recapping needles is extremely dangerous because it can result in accidental punctures of the fingers or hand, which can lead to potential exposure to hazardous chemicals, drugs, or infectious biological agents. How is Recapping Dangerous? How To Protect Yourself You can protect yourself by planning ahead for safe handling and disposal of needles without recapping. ...
Gloved hands recapping needle

Husbandry Safety

What You Should Know About Animal Allergies and Respiratory Protection

Workers in laboratories and animal areas are at risk of developing animal allergens due to contact with animals, animal bedding, excretion, and secretions. Most species of animals used in research have been identified as the source of allergic symptoms. The best approach for reducing the likelihood that a worker will develop an allergic reaction is ...

Safety

Safe Use of Isoflurane in Animal Research

Isoflurane is a halogenated anesthetic gas commonly used to anesthetize research animals. Although safer than other types of anesthetic gases such as enflurane and ether, care must be taken to minimize individual exposure to isoflurane. Waste anesthetic gas (WAG) is the small amount of anesthetic that may leak from the breathing circuit and enter the ...
Close up image of isoflurane machine