The ACUC Animal Protocol requires the identification and review of hazards that may be present when working with live animals. This animal protocol can be accessed via ARROW after you sign in using your Wisc Net ID. Within the animal protocol, the “Occupational Health” section is where various hazards are addressed. Below are the selections available as possible hazards and what qualifies as those hazards.
Biological Hazards – Zoonotic agents. Human or animal pathogens. Biological toxins. Human cells. Recombinant materials. Prions.
Always refer to your Biological Safety Protocol for details of filling out this section. Click here for animal research guidance documents for commonly used biological hazards.
Chemical Hazards – Carcinogens. Potential reproductive hazards. Irritants. Flammables. Highly reactive. Corrosives. Click here for animal research guidance documents for commonly used chemical hazards.
Physical Hazards – UV light. Magnetic fields. Noise. Electric shock. Temperature.
Radiation and/or radioactive materials – Please note: radioactive materials administered to animals require a permit – Form 99A. Administration of radionuclides. Does NOT include animals that are only being irradiated via the Irradiation Core Services or X-Rays.
Wildlife hazards – Addresses hazards of fieldwork with wildlife.
Other hazards – Zoonotic agents (ex. Herpes B in non-human primates). BSL1 agents that do not require a biosafety protocol. Farm work safety precautions. Other hazards not previously addressed.
Additional Helpful Protocol Tips
Below are some helpful tips sorted by settings and areas of research to assist in the completion of the ACUC Protocol via ARROW.
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Farm Setting
For research in farm settings, please select “Other Hazards” and answer the Farm Safety Precautions by selecting the appropriate PPE required.
Non-Human Primate Research
For Non-Human Primate research, please select “Other Hazards” and answer Zoonotic Agents question for Herpes B Virus.
Teaching Protocols
For Teaching protocols, the Occupational Health and Safety section may not be available. If it is not available, please address safety concerns (chemical hazards, etc) and add safety information to the “Experimental Narrative” section in ARROW.
Wildlife Protocols
Examples of PPE needed: nitrile/latex gloves, leather gloves (for species with bite risks), long-sleeved shirt, long pants, other – staff required to tuck pants into socks to prevent tick access to the skin
Examples of Field Safety Equipment: first aid kit, insect repellent, hand sanitizer. Other – may list chemical hazards here example: Chemical hazard: Testosterone. Risk: potential teratogen/carcinogen. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid exposure. Use nitrile/latex gloves when injecting.
Examples of Decontamination:
- Fish: Bags/nets will be washed and bleached between animal captures. Different dip nets will be used at each site to avoid spread of disease or contamination. Dip nets will be disinfected by immersion in dilute bleach solution followed by inactivation by sodium thiosulfate and rinsed in clean water.
- Birds: Bags/nets will be washed and bleached between animal captures. Traps will be soaked in isopropyl alcohol for 24 hrs or more after contact with birds showing obvious signs of disease
- Mammals: traps disinfected with bleach. Bags/nets will be washed and bleached between animal captures. Live traps cleaned with soap and water, air dried. Traps are cleaned after each trapping session with Lysol and rinsed with water.
Examples of Chemical Administration: Chemical hazard: Testosterone. Risk: potential teratogen/carcinogen. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid exposure. Use nitrile/latex gloves when injecting.