Research Using Laboratory Animals FAQs

Workers should be aware that the use of animals for scientific research, teaching, training, testing, or experimentation is regulated by State legislation - The Animal Welfare Act 1985 (SA) and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013.

Workers will need to receive information, instruction and training – depending on the tasks and/or activities they need to undertake in the research laboratory.   Refer to Q3 (Table 1 for guidance) What information, instruction and training is required for workers conducting research using laboratory animals?

It’s important to note that supervisors of workers conducting research using animals, are responsible for:

• performing hazard identification and a risk assessment (RA) that is specific to the tasks and activities they are undertaking (this includes developing tasks specific Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) if used as a control);
• determining if a proficiency is required to undertake the task/activity safely;
• determining the level of supervision required for workers whilst becoming proficient; and
• determining when a proficiency has been attained.

For a definition of who is a supervisor please consult the HSW Handbook chapter on HSW Information, instruction and training.

Hazards associated with using and handling laboratory animals may arise from a variety of sources, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, ionising and non-ionising radiation, hazardous substances, toxins, carcinogens, allergens, recombinant DNA techniques, anaesthetic gases and physical injuries.  Some of the hazards may be controlled by the animal facility’s certification requirements i.e. PC1 or PC2 Laboratories.

However, the hazard management for tasks undertaken in the laboratory or animal facility and the determination of proficiency required to perform those tasks, is the responsibility of the supervisor.  Supervisors should identify if any of the following hazards may apply.

1. Physical injuries – A number of tasks in laboratories or animal facilities require moderate to heavy physical labour, and performing these tasks may expose workers to risks including those from moving heavy equipment (strains), slippery floors, hot surfaces-autoclaved equipment. Working with laboratory rodents has an associated risk of rodent bites and scratches. This also applies to other animals prone to biting and/or scratching. Working with larger animals (sheep, cows, horses etc) carries a much higher risk of injury due to the strength of the animal. Wherever possible engineering controls should be used.
2. Infection - To minimize the risks associated with infections arising from any penetrating wounds such as animal bites or needle sticks, all persons working with laboratory animals and/or in laboratory animal facilities or should maintain their tetanus vaccination status. This will require that the area, or School/Branch, collect and monitor records on each workers vaccination status. Each animal species harbours microorganisms, therefore each species should be evaluated for zoonotic disease risk.
3. Allergies – factors affecting animal allergen levels in a laboratory or animal room include animal species, ventilation, bedding, hygiene practices and tasks performed.
4. Chemical safety – Research with animals involves various chemicals such as detergents, disinfectants, anaesthetics, tissue preservatives, research compounds, animal analgestics, antibiotics, radiosotopies, tranquilisers and humane killing agents.
5. Venomous or toxic animals – Research sometimes involves working with venomous (e.g. poisonous snakes, spiders) or toxic (e.g. cane toads) animals. These animals introduce further specific hazards that must be considered.

Note: PPE and Safe Operating Procedures will reduce but not eliminate chemical, allergen and infection risks.

The supervisor must identify the level of information, instruction and training required, based on the nature of the risk involved when working with laboratory animals.  Refer to the HSW Handbook chapter HSW Training Plan (Appendix A) Levels of HSW information, instruction and training and records management and Table 1 below.

For example, in laboratories:

• Level 3 training and licencing is required if working with radiation;
• Level 2 instruction and demonstrated proficiency may be required, which enables the operator to complete a high risk activity safely and without supervision (e.g. working with hazardous chemicals);
• Level 1 information is required to ensure general safety and compliance with Animal Ethics and Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) requirements.

Records for Level 2 proficiencies and Level 3 training must appear on a Schools Training Plan or equivalent.

Table 1: Research Using Laboratory Animals - Information, instruction and training

In accordance with the Provision of information, instruction and training HSW Handbook chapter, it is the supervisor’s responsibility to determine what information, instruction or training is required.  The Head of School/Branch should take steps to ensure supervisors are providing adequate information, instruction and training to their staff and students in order to keep them safe in the workplace using, for example, workplace monitoring. This might be done through visiting facilities to review how animal handling safety is being managed or seeking to have the activities included on the Safety Review component of Workplace Monitoring HSW Handbook chapter.

A supervisor (or the facility manager where the activity takes place in a centrally managed facility) should AT ALL TIMES ensure compliance with laboratory rules, facility guidelines and Safe Operating Procedures.  Workers should be ordered to cease work where ever unsafe behaviour is observed.

Should an incident or near miss occur, the incident should be reported to allow the local HSW Team to review the incident or near miss and where appropriate investigate to identify any failures and improvements that will prevent a recurrence.

Where an investigation finds that information, instruction and training was not sufficient to prevent injury, changes should be made with greater supervision until there is greater confidence in their effectiveness.  The RA and SOP should be updated to reflect any corrective actions.

If you require further information, please contact a member of the local HSW Team.