Animal Chemical Safety Training

The Environmental Health and Safety Office determines if personnel require training to work with hazardous chemicals in animals. If you have submitted a chemical notice of intent to EHSO and been notified that training is required, please register for the DAR Chemical Safety in Rodents or Chemical Safety in Rabbits class by registering in ELMS. Please see the link on Registering for DAR Training Courses for detailed information on how to register in ELMS. The course code is 265030 for rodents and 265035 for rabbits.

Checklist for Setting Up Chemical Hazard Cages

Preparing to do the experiment:

• Review my Chemical Hygiene Plan
  
  
• Contact the DAR Facility Supervisor when I intend to begin the chemical work in my room (at least 24 hours in advance)
  
  
• Contact the DAR Facility Supervisor if additional supplies are needed (caging, sterile supplies- at least 24 hours in advance)
  
  
• Biohazard boxes, bags are in the animal room

Day of chemical administration:

• Animals are placed in clean, static microisolator cages with a fresh water bottle and full food hopper.
  
  
• Once administration is complete, the cages are properly labeled with the green chemical hazard tag and an avery label that is filled out, including date cage is no longer considered hazardous.
  
  
• Cages are placed on the lowest row on the static rack, grouped together.
  
  
• Make sure chemical hazard signage is posted correctly:
  
  • outside of room entry door
  • on the static rack
  • and on the cage(s).

Labeling cages when animals are no longer hazardous:

• Remove green card; add yellow dissolvable sticker to the cage, filled out with date cage is no longer considered hazardous.

Chemical hazard is no longer in use or no longer present in the room:

• Remove the signage from the door and rack and save to reuse.