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 being a good research neighbor:
- Minimize loud or excessive noise –
- Rodents, which comprise over 98% of all species used on campus, are especially sensitive to loud music and noises. Anyone can help minimize exposure to loud noises by using cushioned casters and bumpers on carts, and refraining from the use of radios, alarms, or other sound generators in and around animal rooms.
- As a reminder, audible music is not allowed in any animal housing area unless it is part of an approved animal enrichment program or IACUC protocol.
- Avoid unnecessary light exposure –
- Even minor deviations in light intensity, duration, or quality can have a substantial impact on an animal’s normal reproductive behavior and physiology. Consistent with standards outlined in the Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals, most animal rooms have centrally controlled and monitored light cycles that use a 12-hour light / 12-hour dark photoperiod.
- When room lights are off, avoid entry whenever possible. If you must enter a room during the dark cycle, use a flashlight or hood light to check specific cages. Never turn on the room lights or open the light timer box.
- Be mindful of strong or unfamiliar odors –
- Strong perfumes and other agents designed to mask odors should not be used in animal housing locations. These items can expose animals to volatile compounds that may alter their basic physiologic and metabolic processes and are not a valid substitute for existing facility ventilation structures and appropriate sanitization practices.
- Wear proper personal attire and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) –
- Personal attire worn in the laboratory and/or animal facility MUST provide full coverage of the legs, feet, and torso. Additional PPE requirements – including room entry and donning/doffing procedures – are posted on signage throughout each facility. Please refer to the EHS Animal Handler PPE Chart for more information.
- Keep areas clean and free of clutter –
- Animal use areas should be clean, free of clutter, well-organized, and well-maintained. This includes:
- Using only equipment that is appropriately sanitized and necessary for the current research activities being performed.
- Ensuring that all surfaces, chairs, and equipment are sanitizable (i.e., no porous surfaces such as cloth or unsealed wood) and clean (e.g., no rust, chips, peeling paint, or cracks).
- Removing any human food or drink from the area, including storage in laboratory refrigerators, which is strictly prohibited.
- Animal use areas should be clean, free of clutter, well-organized, and well-maintained. This includes:
- Promptly report any facility issues –
- Work with your building’s ULAM Husbandry Supervisor
and/or Plant Operations Staff to address any observed facility concerns in a timely manner. Examples of reportable issues may include:
- Malfunctioning doors, locks, lights, or alarms
- Furniture, walls, or floors in need of repair
- Low or no cleaning or stocking supplies (e.g., black bags, paper towels, orange/green stickers)
- Work with your building’s ULAM Husbandry Supervisor
Remember, safeguarding the research environment for our peers and the animals entrusted to our care is a shared responsibility. By following the steps above, we can ALL demonstrate what it means to be a good research neighbor – someone who takes an active role in ensuring the continued integrity of our collective work.
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