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Hazards

This page provides clear and actionable guidance for safely working with animals exposed to chemical or biological hazards in the Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) facilities. Whether you’re a researcher, technician, or investigator, these resources will help you navigate safety protocols and protect both yourself and the animals.


Hazard identification and risk assessment is a dynamic, ongoing process performed throughout the animal care and use program by a range of personnel and committees. The OUHSC IACUC and the Office of Animal Welfare Assurance routinely consults with members of the Environmental Health and Safety Office, the Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Radiation Safety Office, and others to assess occupational risks associated with using hazardous materials or practices in research involving animals. For information on how the IACUC reviews and assesses hazards within the OUHSC animal care and use program, please navigate to IACUC Safety and Training.

Roles and Responsibilities

Who Does What?

Role Responsibilities
Attending Veterinarian - Oversee all aspects of animal health and welfare.
- Ensure animals are treated and handled according to best practices and approved protocols.
- Address any health-related issues arising from exposure to hazards.
Facility Managers - Develop and outline hazard management procedures.
- Ensure equipment, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are available and functioning.
- Confirm implementation of protocols and review documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Ensure training programs are implemented and documented annually.
Facility Staff (DCM) - Provide proper signage and cage cards for designated hazard levels (ABSL and CCL).
- Confirm room doors have appropriate signage during and after hazardous procedures.
- Monitor adherence to PPE requirements and facility standards.
Principal Investigators - Train research staff to handle hazardous agents and ensure compliance with approved protocols.
- Ensure all procedures follow the Animal Use Protocol (AUP) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) requirements.
- Notify facility managers before starting hazardous procedures.
Research Staff - Follow approved procedures outlined in the AUP and/or IBC protocol.
- Notify IBC and facility managers of any procedural changes.
- Ensure appropriate hazard signage is posted during and after hazardous procedures.
- Identify animals with proper cage cards (red for biohazards, yellow for chemical hazards).
- Transition animals to clean cages when hazard exposure ends and update cage cards accordingly.
- Report any suspected exposures to hazardous agents immediately to IBC and facility staff.
All Personnel Handling Animals - Wear proper PPE as described for the designated hazard level.
- Follow handling and containment procedures as outlined in this guide.

Hazard Definitions and Classification

Animal Biosafety Levels (ABSL)

ABSL Level Description Examples of Agents
ABSL-1 Minimal hazard. Work involves agents unlikely to cause disease in healthy humans. Non-pathogenic microorganisms.
ABSL-2 Moderate hazard. Work involves agents associated with human disease, posing risks of ingestion, mucus membrane contact, or percutaneous exposure. Salmonella, pathogenic E. coli.
ABSL-3 High hazard. Work involves aerosol-transmissible agents that may cause serious or lethal disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV.

Chemical Containment Levels (CCL)

CCL Level Description Examples of Hazards
CCL-1 Minimal hazard. Work involves low-toxicity chemicals with standard safety protocols. Dilute acids and bases, low-toxicity reagents.
CCL-2 Moderate hazard. Work involves more toxic or volatile chemicals requiring advanced PPE and containment. Solvents, cytotoxic agents.
CCL-3 High hazard. Work involves highly toxic or carcinogenic agents requiring strict containment and specialized PPE. Carcinogens, highly volatile or reactive compounds.

Animal and Cage Handling

Labeling and Signage

  • Door Signs:
    • Red Signs: For biological hazards (ABSL-1 to ABSL-3) with biohazard symbols, agent details, emergency contacts, and PPE requirements.
    • Yellow Signs: For chemical hazards (CCL-1 to CCL-3) with chemical hazard symbols, agent details, emergency contacts, and PPE requirements.
  • Cage Cards:
    • Red Cards: Used for ABSL-2 biohazards.
    • Yellow Cards: Used for CCL-2 and CCL-3 chemical hazards.

PPE and Facility Standards

Hazard Level PPE to Enter Room PPE for Animal Handling
ABSL-1 Facility uniform or gown, gloves Facility uniform, gloves
ABSL-2 Facility uniform, gloves Gloves, gown, hair restraint, respiratory protection (per IBC protocol)
ABSL-3 Scrubs, Tyvek suit, double gloves, PAPR/N95 Gloves, Tyvek suit, and Class II B2 biosafety cabinet for animal handling
CCL-1 Facility uniform or gown, gloves Facility uniform, gloves
CCL-2 Gown, nitrile gloves, hair restraint Gown, gloves, N95 mask, and HEPA-filtered dump station
CCL-3 Gown, nitrile gloves, hair restraint Same as CCL-2, with stricter containment for highly toxic substances

Bedding and Waste Disposal

Hazard Level Bedding Disposal Carcass Disposal
ABSL-1 Standard facility trash Incineration by third-party vendor
ABSL-2 Autoclaved, then disposed in regular trash Incineration by third-party vendor
ABSL-3 Autoclaved, double-bagged Autoclaved, then incinerated by third-party
CCL-1 Standard facility trash Incineration by third-party vendor
CCL-2 HEPA-filtered dump station, incinerated Incineration by third-party vendor
CCL-3 HEPA-filtered dump station, incinerated Incineration by third-party vendor


Key Steps for Handling Hazardous Animals

  1. Prepare:
    • Confirm appropriate signage is posted.
    • Wear PPE as required for the hazard level.
  2. Handle Safely:
    • Use biosafety cabinets for handling hazardous animals when possible.
    • Follow cage and waste disposal protocols precisely.
  3. Post-Procedure:
    • Clean cages and turn hazard cards backward when the hazardous period ends.
    • Dispose of waste and bedding using designated procedures.

Additional Notes

  • Always consult the Animal Care and Use Program SOP 6.1 for the latest hazard signage templates, cage cards, and updated protocols.
  • Notify facility managers and IBC staff immediately in case of suspected exposure to hazardous agents.