Dress Code for LAR

Last Review Date: August 27, 2020


I.
  Purpose
This SOP outlines the specific dress code and hygiene requirements for all LAR staff and animal users within the Skaggs Building (SKB) and Health Sciences Building (HSB) LAR facilities.

II.  Policy

It is LAR policy to meet or exceed all federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines and to comply with all institutional policies and procedures as they apply to the use of animals in research. Personnel must attend any applicable training in animal care and use, occupational health and safety, equipment operation, and Standard operating Procedures prior to performing activities outlined in this SOP or work under the direct supervision of a trained LAR staff member

II. Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all LAR staff and animal users who function within the animal to facilities to practice good personal hygiene and to dress appropriately for the specified animal area in which they are to be working.

III. Procedures

     A.  No eating, drinking, gum chewing, use of tobacco products or makeup application
           within animal housing areas, procedure room, or hallways.

           1.  Eating and drinking is allowed in HS 009 and SB 041.

           2.  No open-toed shoes are allowed in LAR for safety purposes.

           3.  LAR staff members are provided scrubs to wear while working.

           4.  Lab coats: Health Sciences Building animal facility

                a.  White lab coats (provided in each animal room) must be worn by all LAR staff
                      and animal users whenever entering an animal room

                      1).  White lab coats are not to be worn outside of each specific animal room. 

                      2).   Leave lab coats hanging from hooks in the animal room before you exit the
                              room.

                      3).  All white lab coats are washed weekly by LAR staff and clean lab coats are
                            restocked into each animal room.

                b.  Designated white lab coats (provided in HSB cage-wash room) must be worn by
                      LAR staff and animal users whenever entering the HSB cage-wash room

                      1).  These designated lab coats are not to be worn outside of the HSB cage-
                             wash room.

                      2).  All lab coats are washed weekly by LAR staff and clean lab coats are
                            restocked into the HSB cage-wash room.

                 c.  Absolutely NO lab coats from other laboratories are allowed in LAR

            5.  Lab coats: Skaggs Building animal facilities

                 a.  White lab coats (provided in each animal room) must be worn by all LAR staff
                       and animal users whenever entering or working in that animal room

                       1).  White lab coats are not to be worn outside of each specific animal room.

                       2).  Leave lab coats hanging from hooks in the animal room before you exit
                             room.

                       3).  All white lab coats are washed weekly by LAR staff and clean lab coats are
                             restocked into each animal room.

                  b.  Designated lab coats (provided in SB cage washrooms) must be worn by LAR 
                        staff and animal users while working in the SB cage-wash room

                        1).  Designated lab coats are not to be worn outside of the SB cage-wash
                              rooms. Leave designated lab coats hanging in the cage-wash rooms
                              before you exit.

                        2).  Designated lab coats are washed weekly by LAR staff and clean lab coats
                              are restocked into the SB cage-wash rooms.

                  c.  Absolutely NO lab coats from other laboratories are allowed in LAR


             6.  Gloves

                  a.  Gloves are provided by LAR and must be donned by LAR staff and animal users
                        for working with animals and animal
caging. Gloves are disposed of upon
                        leaving each animal room.

                  b.  Gloves must be worn in all dirty cagewash rooms and disposed of upon leaving
                        the dirty cagewash room.

             7.  Respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) 

                  a.  The Occupational Health and Safety policy for UM LAR provides risk assessment
                        and medical surveillance by an occupational health physician.

                  b.  Where advised by the occupational health physician, respirators will be
                        provided by UM to LAR staff or other animal users.

                  c.  Other protective equipment or clothing specific to a given research protocol
                       will be provided by the Principal Investigator of that protocol to his or her
                       animal research staff.