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I. SCOPE
Training is important for the appropriate care and use of laboratory
animals and is mandated by the Animal Welfare Act (9 CFR Chapter
1, Subchapter A, Subpart C, Section 2.32). Each facility is responsible
for providing training. New York University School of Medicine acknowledges
its responsibility to its employees and for regulatory compliance
by setting forth specific areas of company-provided training.
II. GENERAL
A. The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) coordinates
training programs that enhance, care for, and assure the humane
use of animals in accordance with established policies, procedures,
and regulatory requirements. Training is provided under the auspices
of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), DLAR,
Employee Health Services, Environmental Services, and reputable
outside consultants and companies with appropriate expertise.
B. Training records are maintained in dedicated areas and in accordance
with established training documentation procedures.
III. SPECIFIC
A. New York University School of Medicine animal care and use programs
will provide training and instruction in, but not be limited to,
the following areas at least annually or more frequently to fulfill
the needs of permanent and temporary employees whose jobs require
the information:
1. Humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation.
2. The basic needs of each species of laboratory animal within
the Bioresources facility.
3. Proper handling and care of each species within the Bioresources
facility.
4. Proper pre- and post-procedural care.
5. Aseptic surgical methods and procedures.
6. Concepts and the availability of methods that minimize the
use of animals and animal distress.
7. Recognition of procedures, conditions and states that may
cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals,
and the use of appropriate sedatives, analgesics, anesthetics
and / or non-pharmacologic approaches approved by the Attending
Veterinarian and / or IACUC to reduce or eliminate the pain or
distress.
8. Methods to use to report deficiencies in animal care and treatment
at the facility.
9. Use of database services (e.g., AWIC, NAL, Medline, Bios,
etc.) available to provide information on methods of animal care
and use, alternatives to the use of live animals and unnecessary
duplication of animal studies.
B. NYUSoM animal care and use program will provide training to
permanent and temporary employees within the following six categories
to fulfill the regulatory and programmatic needs at each site:
1. Animal Welfare Orientation
This session is given to new employees to highlight the importance
of the appropriate use of animals in research and the university's
commitment to humane animal care and use.
2. Animal Care and Use Training
All employees (permanent or temporary) who either work directly
with animals or direct animal work must have this training within
60 days of assuming these responsibilities. At a minimum, the
topics presented are:
• the animal care and use committee functions;
• protocol form and procedures;
• recognition of procedures, conditions and states that
may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the
animals;
• the use of appropriate sedatives, analgesics, anesthetics
and / or non-pharmacologic approaches approved by the Attending
Veterinarian and / or IACUC to reduce or eliminate the pain or
distress;
• how to report potential deficiencies in animal care and
treatment;
• methods to find information to provide alternatives to
painful and distressful procedures, to reduce the use of live
animals, and to eliminate unnecessary duplication resulting in
animal use; and
• euthanasia.
The training provided in the above areas should be commensurate
with the job responsibilities of each individual.
3. Species-Specific Training
All principal investigators and staff (permanent or temporary)
are required to be trained for the species they use in their research
or with which they work before direct animal contact is permitted.
Humane methods of animal care, basic handling and restraint techniques,
basic experimental techniques, common diseases, zoonotic diseases,
and requirements for personal protective equipment are presented.
The emphasis on each of these different topics should be commensurate
with work responsibilities of the individual. Individuals working
directly with animals are offered an opportunity to handle (restrain,
hold, dose, inject, etc.) the animal species as part of a training
exercise or are observed and coached during a study by persons
delegated by the site Animal Care and Use Committee or Attending
Veterinarian. Staff members who have documented training and/or
experience before working at NYUSoM may be evaluated by persons
delegated by the site Animal Care and Use Committee to verify
proficiency as opposed to attending this training course.
4. Surgery Training
All employees (permanent or temporary) who perform survival or
nonsurvival animal surgery as a part of their research are required
to receive training in aseptic technique, pre- and postoperative
care, physiologic support of anesthetized and recovering animals,
anesthesia and analgesia administration and monitoring, instrumentation,
and record keeping before beginning surgical experiments. Training
to perform specific operative procedures must be provided by DLAR
veterinarians or other qualified persons designated by the IACUC.
Staff members who have documented training and/or experience before
working at NYUSoM may be evaluated by persons delegated by the
Animal Care and Use Committee to verify proficiency as opposed
to attending this training course.
5. Occupational Health and Safety Training
All employees (permanent or temporary) are required to participate
in all training sessions that apply to their exposure to hazards
relating to their work at NYUSoM. (See Guidelines for Occupational
Health & Safety in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals).
a. Training and education in protective measures must be provided
to minimize the risk of exposure to the intrinsic (normal) and
extrinsic (experimental) hazards associated with working in the
Animal Facility and with laboratory animals.
b. Initial training will take place within a short period after
initial employment, or when job responsibilities change. The initial
training may be provided in seminar or written form. Additional
on-the-job training is required for DLAR personnel.
c. In addition to DLAR, Supervisors, Employee Health Services,
Environmental Services, and Radiation Safety provide training
in, but not limited to, the following:
• The concept of intrinsic and extrinsic hazards
• The Occupational Health and Safety Program for the Animal
Facility
• Risk Assessment Program
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Allergies
• Blood-borne pathogens
• Ergonomics
• Safety Precautions in the Animal Facility
• Personal Protective Equipment, Engineering Controls, and
Work Practice Controls
6. Continuing Education
Guest speakers, audiovisual materials, certification programs,
newsletters, and other sources providing current information on
topics in laboratory animal science and medicine and pertinent
research are made available to all employees who work with animals
to broaden their knowledge and enhance their skill sets.
C. Documentation of specific training sessions, whether singular
or group must be part of the training record for each employee who
performs work with animals. Previous training and/or experience
obtained prior to working at NYUSoM must be documented to the satisfaction
of the site IACUC for protocol approval and to DLAR management for
husbandry and veterinary care of animals.
IV. REFERENCES
Minimum Personal Protective Equipment for Use in NYUSoM Animal
Care and Use Program
Guidelines For Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use
of Laboratory Animals at NYUSoM
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