UT Southwestern IACUC Policy                                                             IACUC  # 132

Approval Date:__3/13/08_                                                                             1 of 1

Equipment Supply and Storage in the Animal Holding Rooms

 

Rationale

 During the routine IACUC self-assessment process, site visitors frequently note improper storage of items in the animal facilities.  The following policy is provided to help clarify what items can be stored in the animal facility and under what circumstances they are to be stored.  This policy is intended for use by animal care personnel as well as research personnel.

 

Policy

1. Items stored in animal holding rooms must be sanitizable or stored in covered, plastic containers.
2. Only the items required for the daily maintenance of the animals are allowed to be stored in the animal holding rooms.  Examples of required items include:

• Blank cage cards;
• Gloves, caps, masks;
• Cage tags for health reports,
• Special diets;
• Scales;
• Enrichment items;
• Extra water bottles;
• Food;
• Bedding; and
• Plastic step stools.

The amount or volume of these items should be kept at a minimum.  No bulk storage is permitted.  All items must be kept off the floor.  Ladders are not to be stored in the animal use areas because of safety issues and space issues.  Extra, clean air filters must not be stored in the animal use areas.

3. Small research supplies such as electric cautery units, pipettes, and gauze sponges may be kept in the animal holding rooms only if they are stored in covered, plastic type containers that may be easily moved and sanitized.  Bulk storage is not permitted.
4. Small numbers of office supplies such as pens, pencils, note pads, and notebooks may be kept in the animal holding rooms only if they are stored in covered, plastic type boxes that may be easily moved and sanitized.  Bulk storage is not permitted.
5. No containers that are made of porous materials such as cardboard are to be used for storage in the animal holding rooms.  The exceptions to this are the mask, glove, and cap containers that are provided by the vendors.
6. Notices that are posted on the walls, doors, or cabinets in the animal holding rooms must be relevant and critical to animal care or personnel safety issues.  All paper notices must be covered in plastic that can be easily sanitized.
7. Animal holding rooms must not be used for long-term storage of special research equipment such as metabolic cages or exercise wheels.  If this type of equipment will not be used for at least a three week period, it must be moved out of the animal holding room and stored in the investigator’s storage space.
8. The number of carts in an animal holding room should be limited to only those necessary to carry out daily animal care routines (i.e. record keeping work surface, supply access, etc.).  Carts must not be used as routine housing racks for cages of animals.

 

Applicability

This policy applies to all supplies or Principal Investigator owned equipment stored in animal facilities.

Exceptions:

Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the IACUC.

Contact Information:

For any additional questions please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.