Vivarium and Satellite Facilities DOs and DON'Ts

 

DOs

  1. Update all emergency contact information with current names and numbers.
  2. Update protocol information labels on doors.
  3. Keep all animal and procedure rooms clean, routinely disinfected, uncluttered (i.e., wipe up water and feed spills, as well as urine/feces).
  4. Store all equipment after use.
  5. Keep floors unobstructed and sanitized (i.e. power cords, boxes, computers; furniture should not rest on the floor).
  6. Wear appropriate protective clothing (i.e. lab coats or scrubs and footwear) and eye protection.
  7. Pre-schedule tours and or visits to the UM Vivarium or satellite facilities through the Office of Research.
  8. Learn exit routes and pre-designate a gathering area outside the Vivarium or satellite facility for your research group.
  9. Check animals on active studies on a daily basis.
  10. Alert Vivarium (or satellite facility)  personnel to any animal health or equipment problems (i.e. low feed, low water, flooded or dirty cage).
  11. Maintain up-to-date account numbers on cage tags.
  12. Keep conversation to a minimum.
  13. Wash hands frequently and especially when moving from one animal room to another.
  14. Learn when cage changeouts and room sanitation is scheduled, and, if possible, plan projects around these times. Please inform animal care staff at least 24 hours in advance if this is not possible.
  15. Hang “Experiment in Progress” signs on doors when procedures are in progress. Take them down when rooms are not in use.
  16. Clearly label lab coats with name and research group.
  17. Keep animal colony room doors closed.
  18. Use sign-up boards for surgery and necropsy rooms.
  19. Clearly label bags with euthanized animals with the protocol number, investigator name and date before placing in the freezer.
  20. Notify Vivarium supervisor when personnel/students no longer need access to the Vivarium.
  21. Maintain animal logs (i.e., surgery weight logs for animals on active studies, and use and disposition logs, especially important for guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters).
  22. Properly dispose of syringes, glassware, needles and sharps.

DON'Ts

  1. DO NOT BRING FOOD INTO THE UM VIVARIUM or SATELLITE FACILITIES (exception: offices and tech carrels).
  2. DO NOT WEAR PERFUMES OR COLOGNES.
  3. DO NOT BRING CELLPHONES, PDAs, NON-UNIVERSITY-OWNED LAPTOPS, CAMERAS, OR MP3/CD PLAYERS INTO THE VIVARIUM or SATELLITE FACILITIES.
  4. DO NOT BRING OUTERWEAR (i.e. coats, raincoats, etc), BACK PACKS, OR BRIEF CASES INTO THE VIVARIUM OR SATELLITE FACILITIES.
  5. DO NOT WEAR SHORTS, DRESSES OR SKIRTS IN THE VIVARIUM or SATELLITE FACILITIES
  6. DO NOT WEAR FACILITY-DEDICATED LAB COATS/SHOES AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT OUTSIDE OF THE VIVARIUM OR SATELLITE FACILITIES.
  7. DO NOT LET UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL (visitors or children) INTO RESTRICTED AREAS.
  8. DO NOT TAPE OR GLUE POSTERS, NOTICES, ETC. TO WALLS OR DOORS.
  9. DO NOT USE CARDBOARD BOXES FOR STORAGE WITHIN THE VIVARIUM OR SATELLITE FACILITIES
  10. DO NOT TAKE VIVARIUM/SATELLITE FACILITY- SPECIFIC CLOTHING/SHOES HOME TO CLEAN.
  11. DO NOT OBSTRUCT AIR RETURN DUCTS.
  12. DO NOT LEAVE DIRTY GLASSWARE IN SINKS.
  13. DO NOT REMOVE CARTS OR TABLES FROM CAGEWASH WITHOUT ASKING.
  14. DO NOT HANG ITEMS ON, OVER, OR FROM HEAT, LIGHT AND HUMIDITY SENSORS IN TESTING ROOMS.