Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Office of ...

ANIMAL CARE ANd USE PROGRAM1used (Conarello and Shepard 2007). Training should be tailored to theparticular needs of research groups; however, all research groups shouldreceive training in animal care and use legislation, IACUC function, ethicsof animal use and the concepts of the Three Rs, methods for reportingconcerns about animal use, occupational health and safety issues pertainingto animal use, animal handling, aseptic surgical technique, anesthesia andanalgesia, euthanasia, and other subjects, as required by statute. Continuingeducation programs should be offered to reinforce training and provideupdates that reflect changes in technology, legislation, and other relevantareas. Frequency of training opportunities should ensure that all animalusers have adequate training before beginning animal work.The IACUC It is the institution’s responsibility to ensure that IACUC membersare provided with training opportunities to understand their workand role. Such training should include formal orientation to introducenew members to the institution’s Program; relevant legislation, regulations,guidelines, and policies; animal facilities and laboratories where animal useoccurs; and the processes of animal protocol and program review (Greeneet al. 2007). Ongoing opportunities to enhance their understanding of animalcare and use in science should also be provided. For example, IACUCmembers may meet with animal care personnel and research teams; beprovided access to relevant journals, materials, and web-based training; andbe given opportunities to attend meetings or workshops.Occupational health and Safety of PersonnelEach institution must establish and maintain an occupational health andsafety program (OHSP) as an essential part of the overall Program of animalcare and use (CFR 1984a,b,c; DHHS 2009; PHS 2002). The OHSP mustbe consistent with federal, state, and local regulations and should focus onmaintaining a safe and healthy workplace (Gonder 2002; Newcomer 2002;OSHA 1998a). The nature of the OHSP will depend on the facility, researchactivities, hazards, and animal species involved. The National ResearchCouncil’s publication Occupational health and Safety in the Care andUse of Research Animals (NRC 1997) contains guidelines and referencesfor establishing and maintaining an effective, comprehensive OHSP (alsosee Appendix A). An effective OHSP requires coordination between theresearch program (as represented by the investigator), the animal care anduse Program (as represented by the AV, IO, and IACUC), the environmentalhealth and safety program, occupational health services, and administration(e.g., human resources, finance, and facility maintenance personnel). Establishmentof a safety committee may facilitate communication and promoteongoing evaluation of health and safety in the workplace. In some cases