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Shared Responsibilities

All facilities house animals for multiple researchers.  The following contribute to the biosecurity of facilities, animal care and research efficiency.

  • General Considerations - Cleanliness, PPE, Lighting, Noise
    • Cleanliness - Keep work areas (benches, cabinets) clean for next use. If storing supplies within an animal room, place in a sealable container that can be sanitized (no cardboard boxes). PI's must receive pre-approval to store project supplies in animal rooms.
    • PPE - Use the Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) provided and as directed by signage.
    • Lighting - Adjusting light timers is prohibited. Contact Facility Manager for assistance with alternate light cycles.
    • Noise - Keep noise levels to a minimum.
  • Clean Traffic Flow
    • Walk through areas from clean to dirty. Do not walk through a dirty area to go to clean area.
    • Exit rooms via dirty hallway, when available.
    • Do not prop open animal room doors.
    • Adhere to room sequences for each building.  If additional buildings must be entered, contact Facility Manager for building sequences.

    clean room to housing to dirty cage washing

  • Cage Wash Room
    • Do not walk through a dirty area to go to clean area.
    • Dirty equipment (boxes, lids, bottles) goes to Dirty side of cage wash.
    • Do not place sippers, bottles or cage card holders in bedding.
    • Do not track through clean cage wash area; pick up new caging supplies in designated cage storage area.
    • Disposal of contaminated caging should be arranged with CAR prior to the start of a study.
  • Working in Procedure Labs
    • Schedule use of procedure labs with facility manager or using on-site calendar.
    • Schedule training meetings with CAR and EHS for projects needing "runners" (staff transporting specimens or samples to the PI's primary lab for further anaylsis) to meet safety and regulatory requirements.
    • Decontaminate surfaces following required procedures. Refer to the Animal Hazard Control form (AHCF)
    • Provide MSDS for hazardous materials brought into labs to facility manager.
    • If storing supplies within a procedure lab, place in a sealable container that can be sanitized (no cardboard boxes).  PI's must receive pre-approval from CAR to store project supplies in procedure labs.
    • Notify CAR staff immediately about hazardous material spills and provide information about spill, containment and clean-up. 
  • Signage

    Housing & Procedure Rooms require specific signs be posted:

    • PI contact information is required - name, phone (campus and personal), and email address, as well as for all additional laboratory staff contacts
    • Required PPE is posted.  Always check door signage for updates to room entry requirements.

Housing Facilities