Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Policy No.9902: Use of Hazardous Agents in Experimental Animals

Approved: 8/3/1999

Reapproved/Revised: 4/20/2005, 6/15/2011, 2/20/2013

Safety in the laboratories and in the course of animal research involving hazardous agents, regardless of location is the responsibility of the Principal Investigators (PI). The PI is responsible for ensuring that all personnel in their laboratory handling hazardous agents and animals are properly trained prior to their use.
Before experiments can begin, the use of hazardous agents in the animals required prior appproval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and by the appropriate Albert Einstein College of Medicine Safety Committee and/or by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).
Safety Officers, Safety Committees, or EH&S are responsible for:

Conducting a risk assessment and if any, training must be completed before experiments commence.
In consultation with the Institute for Animal Studies (IAS) determining what, if any, special handling must be used for treated animals, soiled bedding, or animal cages.
The use of agents potentially infectious to humans (biohazards) must be approved either by the EH&S or Institutional Biosafety Committee.
The use of radioactive materials must be approved by the Radiation Safety Officer (from EH&S) or by the Radiation Safety Committee.
The use of hazardous chemicals, including the use of ether as an anesthetic, must be approved by EH&S or Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Approving protocols describing the use of hazardous agents in animals.
Ensuring that the training and experience of persons who plan to use animals exposed to hazardous substances is adequate.
Ensuring prior approval by the Safety Committee, Safety Officer, or EH&S has been obtained.
Ensuring that written documentation of plans for safe handling and disposal of the hazardous substance from the PI are included in the protocol.

Identify what hazards will be in use what special handling is required.
Indicate where the hazardous materials are used and procedures are performed within the animal facilities.
Indicate what safe handling and disposal procedures are needed.

The Director of the IAS and the Institution are responsible for providing facilities & resources to enhance the safety of faculty and staff within the animal facility.
Policies and resources related to animal research involving hazardous agents within the IAS facilities are formulated to minimize the risks of exposure to workers, to the public and to other animals.
Evidence or suspicion of unsafe handling of hazardous agents in animals is to be reported to EH&S, the IACUC, or the IAS Director.
Should the IAS Director or EH&S officer see evidence of unsafe handling of hazardous agents, he/she will immediately halt the dangerous activity, notify the Chairman of the IACUC, EH&S & appropriate Safety Committees, the PI, and the Institutional Official to determine appropriate actions.
In an emergency situation where the safety of persons may be endangered the IAS Director may confiscate animals and materials while safety is ensured and officials are notified.