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

20 GUIdE FOR ThE CARE ANd USE OF LAbORATORy ANIMALSand procedures should be used for bedding disposal. Safety equipmentshould be properly maintained and its function periodically validated.Appropriate methods should be used for assessing and monitoring exposureto potentially hazardous biologic, chemical, and physical agents whererequired (e.g., ionizing radiation) or where the possibility of exceedingpermissible exposure limits exists (CFR 1984b).Personnel Training As a general rule, safety depends on trained personnelwho rigorously follow safe practices. Personnel at risk should be providedwith clearly defined procedures and, in specific situations, personal protectiveequipment to safely conduct their duties, understand the hazardsinvolved, and be proficient in implementing the required safeguards. Theyshould be trained regarding zoonoses, chemical, biologic, and physicalhazards (e.g., radiation and allergies), unusual conditions or agents thatmight be part of experimental procedures (e.g., the use of human tissuein immunocompromised animals), handling of waste materials, personalhygiene, the appropriate use of PPE, and other considerations (e.g., precautionsto be taken during pregnancy, illness, or immunosuppression) asappropriate to the risk imposed by their workplace.Personal hygiene The use of good personal hygiene will often reduce thepossibility of occupational injury and cross contamination. Appropriatepolicies should be established and enforced, and the institution shouldsupply suitable attire and PPE (e.g., gloves, masks, face shields, head covers,coats, coveralls, shoes or shoe covers) for use in the animal facility andlaboratories in which animals are used. Soiled attire should be disposed of,laundered, or decontaminated by the institution as appropriate, and mayrequire that special provisions be implemented if outside vendors are used.Personnel should wash and/or disinfect their hands and change clothing asoften as necessary to maintain good personal hygiene. Outer garments wornin the animal rooms should not be worn outside the animal facility unlesscovered (NRC 1997). Personnel should not be permitted to eat, drink, usetobacco products, apply cosmetics, or handle or apply contact lenses inrooms and laboratories where animals are housed or used (DHHS 2009;NRC 1997; OSHA 1998a).Animal Experimentation Inoling hazards When selecting specific safeguardsfor animal experimentation with hazardous agents, careful attentionshould be given to procedures for animal care and housing, storage anddistribution of the agents, dose preparation and administration, body fluidand tissue handling, waste and carcass disposal, items that might be usedtemporarily and removed from the site (e.g., written records, experimentaldevices, sample vials), and personal protection.