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

18 GUIdE FOR ThE CARE ANd USE OF LAbORATORy ANIMALSthere is a regulatory requirement for such a committee. Operational andday-to-day responsibility for safety in the workplace resides with the laboratoryor facility supervisor (e.g., principal investigator, facility director, or astaff veterinarian) and depends on safe work practices by all employees.Control and Preention Strategies A comprehensive OHSP should include ahierarchy of control and prevention strategies that begins with the identificationof hazards and the assessment of risk associated with those hazards.Managing risk involves the following steps: first, the appropriate design andoperation of facilities and use of appropriate safety equipment (engineeringcontrols); second, the development of processes and standard operatingprocedures (SOPs; administrative controls); and finally, the provision ofappropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees. Specialsafety equipment should be used in combination with appropriate managementand safety practices (NIH 2002; OSHA 1998a,b). Managing risk usingthese strategies requires that personnel be trained, maintain good personalhygiene, be knowledgeable about the hazards in their work environment,understand the proper selection and use of equipment, follow establishedprocedures, and use the PPE provided.hazard Identification and Risk Assessment The institutional OHSP shouldidentify potential hazards in the work environment and conduct a criticalassessment of the associated risks. An effective OHSP ensures that the risksassociated with the experimental use of animals are identified and reduced tominimal and acceptable levels. Hazard identification and risk assessment areongoing processes that involve individuals qualified to assess dangers associatedwith the Program and implement commensurate safeguards. Health andsafety specialists with knowledge in relevant disciplines should be involved inrisk assessment and the development of procedures to manage such risks.Potential hazards include experimental hazards such as biologic agents(e.g., infectious agents or toxins), chemical agents (e.g., carcinogens andmutagens), radiation (e.g., radionuclides, X-rays, lasers), and physical hazards(e.g., needles and syringes). The risks associated with unusual experimentalconditions such as those encountered in field studies or wildliferesearch should also be addressed. Other potential hazards—such as animalbites, exposure to allergens, chemical cleaning agents, wet floors, cagewashers and other equipment, lifting, ladder use, and zoonoses—that areinherent in or intrinsic to animal use should be identified and evaluated.Once potential hazards have been identified, a critical ongoing assessmentof the associated risks should be conducted to determine appropriate strategiesto minimize or manage the risks.The extent and level of participation of personnel in the OHSP shouldbe based on the hazards posed by the animals and materials used (the