Laboratory hazards may occur naturally, or may be induced accidentally or experimentally. Hazards include those causing physical injuries, such as bites, scratches, cuts, abrasions, etc. to personnel; those causing injuries to laboratory animals; those causing disease in personnel; those causing disease in animals; and those causing damage to equipment and facilities. Principal Investigators or Instructors are responsible for the activities of their staff and for the conditions in the rooms within their jurisdiction.

These responsibilities include:

  • Being familiar with the requirements needed to provide a safe working environment
  • Educating personnel on potential hazards associated with specific tasks and on the appropriate precautions to be taken
  • Monitoring staff to assure compliance with safety procedures
  • Investigating the causes of accidents and initiating procedures to prevent their reoccurrence
  • Maintaining records of accidents and associated corrective actions and staff training

Every individual is responsible for:

  • Being familiar with the hazards associated with their duties
  • Instituting appropriate safety practices
  • Reporting accidents and unsafe conditions to the principal investigator

Principal Investigators or Instructors shall instruct personnel in the proper handling of animals and the correct use of equipment, chemicals and biohazardous agents, including their safe disposal. Such instruction should include discussion of applicable federal, State, and local regulations. Accurate records relating to training of personnel, including formal training and on-the job instruction, shall be maintained by the principal investigator.

All personnel handling animals should be immunized against tetanus. In addition, it is recommended that all personnel working with domestic or wild carnivores be immunized against rabies. Periodic tuberculin testing of individuals working with non-human primates is also required. These inoculations and tests may be arranged through the Occupational Health Facility (x56771).

The effectiveness of any sanitation program is dependent on the proper control of the actions and movements of personnel and authorized visitors. Principal Investigators are required to instruct their staff in disease prevention procedures and ensure compliance with the regulations of the animal housing facility.

Principal Investigators and Instructors are required to instruct their staff concerning procedures in case of animal bites.

  • Immediately upon being bitten, thoroughly cleanse and irrigate the full depth of the wound with surgical soap and running water. Allow at least 5 min direct contact of the solution with the wound.
  • Follow current "PROCEDURES IN CASE OF ACCIDENT TO PERSONS ON CAMPUS" issued by the Chancellor. [Report the injury to your supervisor; then, if an employee, go to Emergency Service (Occupational Health Facility, 67-120 CHS), or if a student, go to Student Health Service (Arthur Ashe Center, x54073) for treatment.  If injury or illness occurs after regular business hours, or urgent immediate medical attention is required, treatment can be obtained at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Emergency Medicine Center.]
  • Identify the biting animal and all associated animals. If possible, preserve the life of the biting animal for diagnostic purposes.
  • Report all bites to the veterinarian who will examine the animal and institute the proper quarantine measures.
  • During the period of quarantine, a quarantine notice, signed by the examining veterinarian, shall remain on the cage. The animal shall not be removed from the cage or room, and shall not be used for experimental purposes until the period has expired.
  • Notify DLAM (X42571) if there is any sign of sickness or altered behavior in the biting animal during the quarantine period.
  • In case of death of the biting animal before or during the quarantine period, DLAM (X42571) must be notified, and the whole carcass shall be refrigerated. Do not freeze the carcass, as this interferes with diagnostic procedures.
  • Animals surviving the quarantine period will be released to the investigator for further use.
  • Scratches are not a mode of rabies transmission unless there is also salivary contact. Animals are not quarantined for scratches. Such injuries should be cleansed and reported as indicated above.