A laboratory animal facility (vivarium) is an extension of the research laboratory, and all requirements for work with biohazardous agents and toxic chemicals in the research laboratory are applicable to work in the animal facility. All animal work at the University shall be in compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2010 revision) and the Laboratory Animal Welfare Regulations [Animal Welfare Act] (9 CFR Subchapter A, Parts 1, 2 and 3). All research involving animals is subject to prior review by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
All animal research involving biohazard agents will be completed at the appropriate animal biosafety level indicated for the biohazard agent being used. The four ABSLs describe animal facilities and practices applicable to work with animals infected with agents assigned to Biosafety Levels 1-4, respectively.
All animal use and laboratory SOPs must be uploaded and stored in the CHP.
NOTE: Researchers must notify the animal vivarium supervisor, at least three working days in advance of the exposure of animals that reside in a ULAR vivarium, to biohazards or toxic chemicals.
Notification is made by logging into the appropriate IACUC protocol in eProtocol, and entering the relevant information on the “Notify ULAR of Biohazard Use” page, found under the “My Activities” menu. The PI is responsible for posting the Animal Hazard Safety Protocol (AHSP) form at the lab, housing or procedure space during the time of animal inoculations. Signs should be removed following inoculations. A working day is defined as a day in which University offices are open and excludes weekends or holidays.
In order for individuals who work in animal housing facilities to properly identify workplace hazards and take the proper steps to protect themselves from these hazards, a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) should be performed. A proper JHA involves reviewing each task performed to determine where hazards exist; providing recommendations for hazard elimination/protection; and identifying appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn while encountering the hazard. It is also vital that employees take their assigned safety training so that they have a full understanding of the hazards and their roles and responsibilities.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring their employees have the appropriate training and safety equipment before assigning hazardous job duties, however EHS staff have worked with ULAR staff to develop example JHAs for animal handlers in ULAR facilities.
ULAR Animal Care Cage Wash
ULAR Animal Care Enrichment Caging
ULAR Animal Care Runs
ULAR Animal Care Shoe Box Caging
ULAR Animal Care Surgery Tech
Animal Biosafety Level 1 is suitable for work involving laboratory animals infected with well characterized agents that are not known to cause disease in healthy human adults, and present minimal potential hazard to personnel and the environment.
Animal Biosafety Level 2 is suitable for work involving laboratory animals infected with agents associated with human disease and pose moderate hazards to personnel and the environment.
Animal Biosafety Level 3 involves practices suitable for work with laboratory animals infected with indigenous or exotic agents, agents that present a potential for aerosol transmission and agents causing serious or potentially lethal disease.
No Animal Biosafety Level 4 work is done at OSU.
Any person who witnesses or suspects abuse of animals at The Ohio State University is encouraged to report their concerns. Contact the IACUC Chair at 614-292-8476, ULAR at 614-292-1561 or the OSU Anonymous Reporting Line at 866-294-9350.