CAGE PROCESSING in Animal Facilities - Felasa

IVC systemsIndividually ventilated cages. This means cage systems for hygienic/allergic protection of animals and humans/surroundings.To achieve this protection, cage bases are closed and locked with tops. Individual ventilationsystems allow for a proper air supply of the animals.LAFLaminar-Air-FlowLoading trolleyA loading trolley is a mobile rack for loading and moving different types of items into a washer or steriliser.Different types of items and machines require different types of loading trolleys.MAC valueThe MAC value indicates the maximum allowable concentration of hazardous substances in form of gas,steam, or aerosols in workplace air that, according to current knowledge, pose no risk to the health of employeesand are no major disturbance either, even with employees being exposed to them over a longer period,which means a work time of eight hours a day.MediaThis term sums up all utilities (usually steam and water) and process chemicals.Occupational risk assessmentA workplace should be as low risk as possible. Therefore, every employer is to conduct a risk assessment ofthe possible threats posed in every job he/she offers. For principles and methods of occupational risk assessment,please consult the labour protection act, ordinance on industrial safety and health, and ordinance onhazardous substances as defined by your respective country. The aspects described below should be consideredin particular:• risks that occur with general job work, for example in the course of certain work procedures (assessmentof the entire work routine – “synopsis”: selection/combination/interaction of different machines, hazardoussubstances, physical positioning, employee skills, etc.),• risks that occur when working with hazardous substances, like detergents and disinfectants (protectionlevel concept),• risks that occur when handling work equipment, like machines, in interaction with, for example, hazardoussubstances,• test intervals for machine parts, machines, and the overall system.Details on occupational risk assessment can also be found in the guidelines of government safety organisationsor of the regional authorities charged with the principles and methods of occupational safety.PAA lockLock for transferring heat-sensitive products in and out of a barrier area by means of steam sterilisation. Thedisinfectant thereby used is peracetic acid.pH ValueDiluted solutions are classified into highly acid, mildly acid, neutral, mildly alkaline, highly alkaline with the pHvalue as the measuring unit. The numerical scale ranges from 0 - 14 whereas values < 7 indicate the acid andvalues > 7 the alkaline scale. Diluted solutions with a pH value of 7 are classified as neutral.Process capability of beddingEvery process is adapted to certain products, so are semi or fully automated bedding dispensing systems.Some very fibrous types of bedding, when put into containers, are prone to bridging, which makes them hardto dispense evenly. The result would be cages with varying filling quantities.Process chemicalsCollective term for detergents, neutralisers, and rinse aids, added to the water in automated processing.70Cage Processing in Animal Facilities · 4th issue · 2013