Safety Procedures in the BioResources unit

View policy for allergy to laboratory animals

View lung function (respiratory) questionnaire

On this page:

• Use of hazardous chemicals or drugs in animals
• Halothane
• Freunds Adjuvant
• Compressed cages
• Accidents
• Infections from animals
• Special procedures in bio hazard areas
• Parasites
• Allergic conditions
• Animal accommodation access
• Clothing
• Animal welfare
• Warning notices
• Hygiene
• Handling animals
• Inoculation of animals
• Sampling from animals
• Preventative inoculations and screening of staff
• Post mortem room
• Disposal of animal carcasses
• Disposal of contaminated waste
  

Use of hazardous chemicals or drugs in animals

If an animal is to be exposed to a toxic compound for an acute or chronic procedure, precautions must be taken as to the method of exposure and disposal of the excreta and carcass.

If Carcinogenic or Mutagenic substances are to be used, special precautions must be taken in this respect and an appropriate protocol must be agreed with the Safety Committee on Carcinogens. When using these substances, account must be taken of all situations in which humans may come in contact with the substance from the delivery through to the processing of tissue and final destruction of the carcass. it must be considered that it may not be possible to work with some types of compounds under present facilities.

Narcotics and anaesthetics etc are kept in a locked cupboard and if you want them, please request access to them from a Technician who should ensure that you have need for them and are familiar with their use. DO NOT help yourself; these drugs can be very dangerous to humans.

Halothane

The usual volatile anaesthetic used in Halothane. The use of this substance requires special precautions. Halothane is potentially transgenic and may affect the foetus in the first trimester of pregnancy., It should be used in a well ventilated room and the scavaging equipment provided should be used. if you are pregnant DO NOT enter any room where this drug is used without assuring yourself that it is safe.

Freunds Adjuvant

This substance is often used in procedures designed to raise antibodies. Special care should be taken not to inject oneself or somebody else accidentally. It is necessary to wear protective glasses or goggles while mixing as a splash in the eye can cause a severe reaction. If an eye splash occurs wash the area with water or eye wash solution and seek medical advice.

Compressed cages

The only compressed gases carried in the unit are CO2, O2 and NO2 beside the escape stair well.
All these cylinders are on rental from B.O.C Gases and are regularly inspected when being refilled.
Care must be taken when transport of cylinders as they may slip and cause injury either to yourself or a third party. They should be transported using appropriate trolleys

Accidents

Any bite, cut or scratch received in the Animal House, however trivial, must receive immediate attention and be recorded in the accident book. Click here to download the official College Accident Reporting form (22 KB)

Syringes and needles may inflict injuries, they are kept in a locked drawer and access to these is by a key obtainable from the Technicians. Syringes and needles should be handled with care. it is easy to inject yourself as well as somebody else. DO NOT walk around with an un-capped needle. They should be disposed of as 'sharps'.

Infections from animals

Animals harbor infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi and viruses and these may be harmful to man. Certain regions of the body provide a direct route by which infectious agents may enter, such as respiratory, alimentary, urinary tract and eyes. Broken skin is provides a means of direct entry for micro-organisms.

It is wise for persons who are handling animals to have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination; these can be got at the Student Health Center.

Special procedures in bio hazard areas

Any animals which are to be injected with any living organism must be house in a specific facility for this type of work. These animals or their products should NEVER be brought into the main holding unit.

Work with micro-organisms requires a hazard assessment protocol. This must be signed by the Bio Hazard Officer. Organisms currently listed as category A, pathogens by the Dangerous Pathogens Advisory Group (DPAG), (1) can only be used with the expressed permission of the College Bio Hazard Officer for such work.

Parasites

Parasites infecting an animal may pass to man or transmit disease to man. Normal hygienic procedures such as hand washing etc should be practiced.

Allergic conditions

Allergic conditions in humans may result from contact with animal fur or hair and sometimes from feathers, exudates, bedding and fodder. The allergy may manifest itself immediately or may be acquired over a succession of exposures to the allergen. Any person with a history of an allergic condition (asthma etc) should advise their supervisor or the Director of the unit as special provisions (masks etc.) may need to be provided.

Animal accommodation access

Only authorised personnel are permitted in animal accommodation. It is important that animal accommodation is secured against the entry of unauthorised persons.

Arrangements can be made for late working (after 5pm or week-ends). A key permit must be obtained from the unit and presented to the security personnel at Lincoln Gate with a college identity card. The late working book must be filled in . If an emergency arises ring Front Gate @ ext 1999/1317.

Clothing

The appropriate protective clothing must be worn in animal accommodation and should not be worn outside the limits of that accommodation.

Animal welfare

If there are problems of animal welfare, ring Front Gate ext 1317, and ask them to page the person on duty. Wait by the phone for a return call.

Warning notices

Where animals under experiment may be an infected, or present a radioactive or toxic hazard they must be kept in the containment area. Written instructions must be prepared for staff or other workers that might encounter the risk and approved warning notices prominently displayed at the entrances to the contaminated area. The notice must specify the precautions to be taken before entering the area.

Hygiene

There must be no eating, drinking or smoking in animal accommodation. Protective clothing must be removed before going for refreshment breaks and the hands well washed.

Handling animals

Small Animals

No persons may handles an animal unless they have assured the Director of the Unit that they are capable of doing so in the proper way. People who are inexperienced must ask the help of an experienced handlers and they should receive full instruction in animals handling from a member of the staff at the earliest opportunity. If an animal gets out of its cage and is caught and returned, the escape must be reported to a member of staff.

Large Animals

Because of their size, farm animals can be dangerous. It is essential that a person experienced enough and strong enough to deal with the animal always accompanies the inexperienced or less strong person. An individual, however experienced, must ensure that one other person is aware of his/her involvement with large animals. it is advisable that help is always within call and where necessary be present.

Inoculation of animals

Special cabinets, face shields and other protection may be considered necessary when inoculation hazardous materials into animals. 'Luer-lok' hypodermic needles are recommended because the needle cannot fly off when inoculation. Great care must be taken to ensure that the animal holder is never at risk during inoculations; the hands must be positioned so that if the syringe slips the needle cannot accidentally pierce their skin. It is essential that help be available when an accidental inoculation of a substance may be hazardous to humans. If an antidote is required ensure that provision for its availability has been made. The needles must be discarded into yellow Sharp boxes for subsequent burning by "Waste to Energy" who are the approved college incinerator operators. This company will collect the full boxes.
All the infected materials from inoculation sessions should be autoclaved before disposal.

Sampling from animals

Material taken from animals for laboratory examination must be transported in approved leak-proof containers. Post mortem examinations of animals must be done in a room that can be decontaminated. Carcasses and tissues for incineration must be put into "sulu bins" then the freezer.

As with handling of animals only persons who are competent in the handling and taking of samples from animals should do so. In 'once off' situations members of the units staff will normally take the samples otherwise researchers are required to have training in the technique of taking the sample they want.

Preventative inoculations and screening of staff

Tetanus

All staff who handle animals or work on farms or in this field are strongly advised to be vaccinated against tetanus.

Tuberculosis

All staff or researchers who handle animals which may have tuberculosis must be Mantoux test positive and should be prepared to accept annual chest x-ray tests. Persons who are mantoux negative will be offered BCG vaccination against tuberculosis until they are Mantoux positive (i.e. protected).

Post mortem room

The Hazard Of Contact Infection

The hazard of contact infection in a post-mortem room is obvious, if splashes of blood and faeces are clearly visible. The hazard of aerosol infection is not as obvious but the post-mortem room is probably the area where most aerosols are created. Apart from infective hazards, accidents can also be caused by cutting instruments, slippery floors, fixatives, disinfectants and electricity.

Good Practice

Workers must abide by any local rules which govern the operation of a post-mortem room. They should not put colleagues at risk by practicing faulty techniques, being careless with tools and equipment or deviating from the accepted system of entry. The latter could result in the spread of contamination to clean areas of the laboratory. it is essential that gloves be used when performing a post-mortem. Great care must be taken not to contaminate surfaces such as door handles etc with dirty gloves. Gloves should be disposed of before opening doors and presses etc.

Disposal of animal carcasses

Carcasses must be placed into the special carcass bin which is collected at the end of each day. Great care should be taken to ensure that scalpel blades, hypodermic needles and other sharp instruments are not disposed of with the animal carcass. These must be disposed of in the special containers that are provided in the post-mortem and minor procedures area. All animal carcasses must disposed of under strict control. It is normally necessary for them to be stored in a deep freezer prior to incineration.

Disposal of contaminated waste

All waste material must be disposed of in appropriate boxes. There are appropriate boxes for all material:

1. Yellow 'sharp boxes' for needle and syringes or blades etc

2. Gray cardboard boxes for non-contaminated glass

3. Black bags and storage in the freezer for all normal biological material (radioactive and biohazard material needs special arrangements).

Toxic Chemical Hazards

Solid material presenting a chemical hazard must be disposed of in an appropriate manner (consult the chemical safety officer and relevant literature etc). The college employ a contract firm to dispose of this toxic waste. No chemicals may be disposed of in the normal