STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES for ANIMAL BIOSAFETY SUITE Room 305 BEB

COMPARATIVE MEDICINE LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITIES

  1. Purpose: The Biosafety suite was constructed to provide isolation space to prevent infectious organisms from escaping the experimental area and to prevent contamination from entering the space and destroying the experiment. (Humans carry and shed a wide variety of infectious organisms.)
  2. Scope: This procedure applies to all CM-LAF, maintenance and principal investigator personnel entering Suite 305 BEB.
  3. Procedure:
    1. The basic procedure for Facilities Management staff is direct. DO NOT enter the suite, work on ducts or controls or enter the filter house without clearance from OES or Animal Facilities staff. The reason for this is to determine if any special precautions are to be taken to protect workers. Experiments on animals housed in the unit may or may not be of concern. These experiments start and end continuously; therefore, it is necessary to maintain close liaison to keep track of changing conditions.
    2. ENTERING SUITE 305
      1. Check with the OES and/or Animal Facilities to determine the level of protection required.
      2. Don protective clothing located in the lockers beside the showers. This includes gown, mask, gloves and shoe covers.
      3. If special precautions are necessary, do the following:
        1. Do not enter the animal room where the experimental animals are housed without permission and guidance from OES or Animal Facilities. Read the posted signs stating the precautions required before entering the room. Wear an additional gown, shoe covers and gloves over the first layers. Remove outer gown and shoe covers and gloves before leaving the animal holding room
        2. Discard remaining protective gear in exit chamber.
        3. Wash hands thoroughly after leaving the suite.
    3. WORKING ON DUCTS AND CONTROLS
      1. When work on ducts or duct controls is required, the OES and Animal Facilities will determine if special precautions are necessary. Special precautions would be to wear a disposable mask and either wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after handling controls.
      2. Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in the Biosafety suite.
    4. CHANGING FILTERS/WORKING IN FAN ROOMS
      1. Only basic precautions are required if experiments are non-infectious.
        1. If infectious organisms are used, OES and Animal Facilities will determine if organisms are still alive in the ducts or on the filters. (Most die as soon as they dry in the open air.)
        2. When special precautions are required, they could include disinfection of ducts, controls and tools, gassing of filters and ducts and personal protection.
        3. Masks, gloves and disposable suits are recommended as personal protection devices.
      2. Any time HEPA filters are changed, the use of disposable suits and dust masks is recommended.
    5. DISINFECTION
      1. A disinfection solution will consist of 10 per cent aqueous solution of 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite (laundry bleach). The solution will be available in suite 305. Pour solution on a paper towel and wipe controls, tools, door handles and hands.
    6. MASKS AND GLOVES
      1. Disposable masks and gloves will be provided by Animal Facilities and will be available in suite 305 and in cupboards under the sink in 305.
      2. When an area is posted as containing a biohazard, there is a tendency to think germs are flying all over like fine dust. That is not a true concept. Being in the space is no different for the tradesman than it is for the investigator. It is important to know what to touch and what not to touch.
      3. In case of emergencies when work needs to be done after regular work hours and on weekends or holidays, follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) posted at the entrance of suite 305, and also refer to the posted signs on the door of each occupied room.

        A copy of the Animal Facilities Standard Operating Procedure for CM-LAF staff is attached.