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A Word from OLAW

Lab Animal volume 51, page 229 (2022)Cite this article

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In this scenario, questions are asked about the role of the IACUC in ensuring compliance with safety procedures when animal activities involve hazards.

As stated in the Guide, the establishment of safety procedures requires 1) an assessment by knowledgeable persons of the particular hazards, 2) availability of necessary safety equipment, and 3) training of personnel to ensure safe conduct of the research1. It is the institution’s decision to determine how to coordinate the reviews by the IACUC and the relevant safety component(s). Many institutions have the IACUC and occupational health and safety program (OHSP) reviews conducted in parallel to expedite the review and approval process2. Animal activities may not begin until both IACUC and applicable safety approval(s) are given. The communication between the two entities and with the Principal Investigator must clearly state when animal activities may begin and how subsequent changes in procedures are reviewed and approved. To avoid potential missteps all approvals must be documented to the satisfaction of the IACUC and the OHSP.

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References

  1. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 8th edn. (National Academies Press, Washington DC, 2011). p. 21.

  2. Brown, P.A. and Gipson, C. Lab Animal 40, 297 (2011).

  3. Public Health Service. PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 2015). Available at: https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Director, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, OER, OD, NIH, HHS, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Patricia Brown

Authors
  1. Patricia Brown
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Correspondence to Patricia Brown.

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Brown, P. A Word from OLAW. Lab Anim 51, 229 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-022-01039-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-022-01039-3

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