Hazards

Working with Hazardous Agents in Animal Facilities

DCM Guidance

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

Program-level risk assessment

Hazard identification and risk assessment is an ongoing, collaborative process. The OUHSC IACUC and the Office of Animal Welfare Assurance routinely consult with Environmental Health & Safety, the Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Radiation Safety Office, and others to evaluate occupational risks associated with hazardous materials and practices in animal research. For details on IACUC safety review, visit IACUC Safety and Training.

Who Does What?

Roles & Responsibilities

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 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

Animal Biosafety Levels (ABSL)

Biological

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. Agents associated with human disease; risk via ingestion, mucous membrane contact, or percutaneous exposure.	Salmonella, pathogenic E. coli.
ABSL-3	High hazard. Aerosol-transmissible agents that may cause serious or lethal disease.	Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV.

Chemical Containment Levels (CCL)

Chemical

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

Labeling and Signage

Posting Requirements

Door Signs
- Red Signs: For biological hazards (ABSL-1 to ABSL-3). Include biohazard symbol, agent details, emergency contacts, and PPE requirements.
- Yellow Signs: For chemical hazards (CCL-1 to CCL-3). Include 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

Entry & Handling

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

Decontamination

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

Procedure

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

Additional Information

SOPs & Contacts

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.

Visit IACUC Safety & Training