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 other institutional partners to evaluate occupational risks associated with hazardous materials and practices in animal research. For details on IACUC safety review, visit IACUC Safety & Training.
Who Does What? Roles and responsibilities for hazard management in animal facilities. Attending Veterinarian Oversee all aspects of animal health and welfare. Ensure animals are treated and handled according to best practices and approved protocols. Address 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. Ensure training programs are implemented and documented annually. Facility Staff (DCM) Provide proper signage and cage cards for designated ABSL and CCL levels. 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. Ensure procedures follow the approved AUP and IBC requirements. Notify facility managers before hazardous procedures begin. Research Staff Follow procedures outlined in the approved AUP and/or IBC protocol. Notify IBC and facility managers of procedural changes. Post appropriate hazard signage during and after procedures. Use red cage cards for biohazards and yellow cards for chemical hazards as required. Transition animals to clean cages when the hazard period ends and update cage cards. Report suspected exposures immediately. All Personnel Handling Animals Wear PPE required for the designated hazard level. Follow approved handling and containment procedures. Complete required training before beginning work.
Hazard Level Overview Animal Biosafety Levels and Chemical Containment Levels. Animal Biosafety Levels (ABSL) ABSL-1 Minimal hazardAgents unlikely to cause disease in healthy humans.Example: non-pathogenic microorganisms. ABSL-2 Moderate hazardAgents associated with human disease and exposure risk through ingestion, mucous membrane contact, or percutaneous exposure.Examples: Salmonella, pathogenic E. coli. ABSL-3 High hazardAerosol-transmissible agents that may cause serious or lethal disease.Examples: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV. Chemical Containment Levels (CCL) CCL-1 Minimal hazardLow-toxicity chemicals managed with standard safety protocols.Examples: dilute acids and bases, low-toxicity reagents. CCL-2 Moderate hazardMore toxic or volatile chemicals requiring advanced PPE and containment.Examples: solvents, cytotoxic agents. CCL-3 High hazardHighly toxic or carcinogenic agents requiring strict containment and specialized PPE.Examples: carcinogens, highly volatile or reactive compounds.
Labeling and Signage Posting requirements for doors and animal cages. Biological Hazards Red door signs: Include the biohazard symbol, agent details, emergency contacts, and PPE requirements. Red cage cards: Used for designated biological hazards, including ABSL-2 as required by protocol and facility procedure. Chemical Hazards Yellow door signs: Include chemical hazard symbols, agent details, emergency contacts, and PPE requirements. Yellow cage cards: Used for CCL-2 and CCL-3 chemical hazards.
PPE and Facility Standards Entry and animal-handling requirements by hazard level. 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 as required by the IBC protocol ABSL-3 Scrubs, Tyvek suit, double gloves, PAPR or N95 as approved 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 and disposal requirements by hazard level. 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 and double-bagged Autoclaved, then incinerated by third party CCL-1 Standard facility trash Incineration by third-party vendor CCL-2 HEPA-filtered dump station, then incinerated Incineration by third-party vendor CCL-3 HEPA-filtered dump station, then incinerated Incineration by third-party vendor
Key Steps for Handling Hazardous Animals A practical workflow for preparation, handling, decontamination, and closeout. 1 Prepare Confirm signage is posted, review the approved protocol, and wear PPE required for the hazard level. 2 Handle Safely Use biosafety cabinets when required and follow approved animal, cage, and containment procedures. 3 Decontaminate Clean cages, equipment, and work surfaces and dispose of bedding and waste using designated procedures. 4 Close Out When the approved hazard period ends, move animals to clean cages and update or reverse hazard cards as directed by facility procedure.