Animal Welfare Plan EMU

8/13/2019 Animal Welfare Plan EMU

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Eastern Michigan Universitynimal Welfare Contingency Plan


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Eastern Michigan University Animal Welfare Contingency PlanRev.1.0 6/2013

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This plan has been developed in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act guidelines for Contingency (Emergency) Planning. Effective 30January, 2013, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations require alllicensed and registered facilities to develop a contingency plan foremergencies so they can better protect their animals in disastersituations. Under the rule, APHIS gives facilities the flexibility to developa plan that works best for them and their animals.

This plan was developed by the EMU Emergency Management Office incooperation with Dr. Kenneth Rusiniak, Chairperson, Institutional AnimalCare and Use Committee.


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I. PurposeThe purpose of this plan is to provide guidance to laboratory animal staff and animalusers on procedures during emergencies and to assist laboratory animal staff andanimal users in the avoidance and anticipation of dangerous situations.

II. ScopeEmergencies, accidents and injuries can occur at any time. Being prepared is essentialto minimizing the effects of emergency situations on the health and well-being of peopleand animals. All laboratory animal staff and animal users are strongly encouraged to befamiliar with this plan. All personnel should be aware of their facility floor plan andevacuation routes.

III. AssumptionsIn the event that such an emergency did occur, EMU is prepared to do the following:

1) While it is the intent of the University to protect the animals from adverse conditions,under no circumstances will personnel place themselves in personal danger at anytime. Personnel safety is the pr im ary concern in any emergency.

2) When an emergency occurs, key individuals will be contacted in the following order:Principal Investigator; Back-up to the Primary Investigator, Chair of the Institutional

Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Building Administrator. Individualanimal colony rooms are labeled with appropriate contact persons and their phonenumbers in case of an emergency.

3) To reduce the risk of disruptions, EMU animal care facilities are kept locked at all

times, and access is limited to authorized personnel only.

4) In case of power failure, the temperature of the animal colony rooms will bemaintained by portable devices, if possible, or the animals will be transferred to otherfacilities on campus.

5) In case of fire, structure damage or other emergency, surviving animals will betransferred to other campus facilities.

6) Weather-related events can lead to direct damage of the animal housing facilities orprevent access to them. In the case of the former, animals will be transferred to oneof the other campus facilities; in the case of the latter, individuals who live close to

the facility will be asked to check on the facility and provide appropriate care for theanimals, if possible.

7) If animals have been injured as a result of a disaster, the Principal Investigator willbe consulted to consider an appropriate course of action and will have the authorityto euthanize animals.

8) All animal care personnel, including students, will be informed of the individuals tonotify and temporary steps to take in the event of an emergency.


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IV. SituationIn all emergencies, human life and safety will take precedence over animal life. Thelaboratory animal staff or animal users must not put themselves or their colleagues indanger in order to evacuate animals. The lab animal staff will work together with theIACUC Chair to determine appropriate actions based on the individual emergencysituation.

In the event of a large scale disaster, euthanasia of animals may be necessary.Euthanasia will be a last resort and will be conducted under the direction of the principalinvestigator or the IACUC Chair. Animal care and research is conducted at the followinglocations:

Mark Jefferson Science Complex Animals utilized by the Department of Psychology are housed on the 6 th floor.

Terrestrial & Aquatic Ecology Research Facility (TAERF) Animals Utilized by the Department of Biology

The facilities house mice, rats, amphibians, reptiles and arachnids. The types of animalcolonies housed and the population of the colonies varies with research and teachingactivities.

Mark-Jefferson Science ComplexThe Mark Jefferson Science Complex contains 180,000 square feet of spacedivided among five stories plus a penthouse (6 th floor animal colonies) andbasement. It is constructed of poured-in-place concrete with exterior walls of facebrick with stone trim. The Mark Jefferson building is fully-sprinklered.

The animal holding rooms have dedicated supply and exhaust units. Air handlingequipment is located in the penthouse, and exhaust fans are located on the roof.The system maintains a negative pressure relationship with respect to adjacentnon-animal areas. Two exhaust fans, each sized for 100% of the load, providing100% redundancy, and two air handling units, each sized for the entire loadproviding 100% redundancy. Each air handling unit is sized for 12,000 CFM, andsupplies 100% outdoor air. Each unit includes 95% efficient filtration, heat pipeenergy recovery equipment to capture exhaust air energy to pre-condition theincoming outdoor air stream, hot water heating coils, chilled water cooling coils, aplenum supply fan, and a duct mounted clean steam humidifier.

Animal holding areas are provided with Phoenix type variable air volumelaboratory airflow controls. Each animal room has the ability of being maintainedat a negative or positive pressure with respect to adjacent areas, through a localpressurization switch.

Exhaust air from the animal holding or procedure rooms have exhaust grilles at alow level in the room, and include a filter frame and a particulate type air filter.

Animal holding and procedure rooms have a differential pressure gauge tovisually monitor the room pressure relationship. Each room has a separatetemperature control zone.


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Terrestrial & Aquatic Ecology Research FacilityThe Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Research Facility (TAERF) is a state-of-the-art 1,158 square foot laboratory/greenhouse building comprised of three separaterooms in which the climates can be controlled. The TAERF contains twolaboratories, one dedicated to terrestrial ecology research, and the other set upfor aquatic research. The aquatic room has three rows of aquariums in which thetemperature and aquatic environment can be individually controlled.. In additionto the laboratories is a greenhouse, which is used to grow plants for ecologyresearch projects.

V. Tasks & Responsibilities

Animal care and use at Eastern Michigan University is regulated by the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, and U.S. GovernmentPrinciples for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate animals Used in Testing, Research,

and Training.

An emergency is any adverse event such as a fire, tornado, chemical spill, civildisturbance, electrical or water outage, or equipment failure which causes or has thepotential to cause injury to the animals.

In the event of a major emergency, protective actions such as evacuation or sheltering inplace may be necessary. The type of emergency and its location will dictate whatactions will be undertaken. All staff who are involved with the emergency proceduresshould avoid panic and assist in implementing the protective actions ordered.

Appropriate steps will be taken to prevent the occurrence of emergency situations whenpossible. These steps include, but are not limited to:

maintaining building security and allowing access to authorized individuals only minimizing chemical hazards through proper storage and handling of chemicals minimizing fire hazards by maintaining compliance with safety procedures reporting equipment malfunctions and other safety concerns to responsible

individuals

In the event of an emergency or disaster that threatens the well-being of animals housedon the 6 th floor of the Mark-Jefferson Science Complex or in the Terrestrial and AquaticEcology Research Facility, the principal investigator and the IACUC Chair will be notifiedfirst to determine the necessary actions to be taken.

In the event that the principal investigator or IACUC Chair is unavailable, otherindividuals trained in the care and use of the animals will be contacted (e.g., otherpsychology and biology faculty/researchers). These latter individuals will be authorizedto take appropriate actions, including euthanasia, if the principal investigator and IACUCChair are unavailable.


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When possible, temporary measures will be taken to maintain the appropriatetemperature, humidity, ventilation, and lighting until normal operations are restored. Inthe event that such measures are impossible or impractical, then arrangements will bemade to transport the rats to another campus facility.

In the event that other campus facilities are unavailable and temporary measures cannotbe taken to maintain an adequate environment, then the animals will be euthanizedaccording to approved protocol procedures. Under no circumstances will animals beallowed to survive in conditions likely to produce severe or prolonged distress or pain.

Principal investigators will be responsible for implementing this plan with regard to theirprojects and courses, training personnel under their supervision, and notifying theIACUC Chair in the event an emergency occurs. All animal care personnel, includingstudents, will be informed of the individuals to notify and temporary steps to take in theevent of an emergency and will be responsible for implementing this plan as assigned.

All responsible personnel will receive a copy of this plan and training to assureunderstanding of the procedures to be employed in the event of an emergency. Allrelevant telephone numbers will be posted in the facility.

While it is the intent of this plan to protect the animals from adverse conditions, under nocircumstances should individuals place themselves in personal danger at any time.Human safety is the primary concern in any emergency.

1. Special situations Emergency during a surgical procedure - Personnel safety should be assured

first. If the procedure cannot be completed in a manner that assures patientrecovery, the animal should be humanely euthanized.

In the event that evacuation of the animals from the facility is necessary, this will

be done only to the extent that it does not endanger personnel and a suitablealternate location is available.

In the event that animals are injured, they will receive medical care under thedirection of trained personnel. If the emergency precludes adequate medical careof seriously injured animals, they should be humanely euthanized.

2. Mass euthanasia of research and/or teaching animalsIf it becomes necessary to euthanize colonies, trained personnel will accomplish this.CO2 or inhalant anesthetic euthanasia of rodents will be utilized if possible.


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Attachment 1 Emergency Contacts

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During any emergency, immediately dial 9-1-1 from any campus telephone or 734.487.1222 from acell phone.

Department Name Phone

EMU Institutional AnimalCare and Use Committee Kenneth Rusiniak 734-487-1155MJ Science Complex

Building Administrator Steve Pernecky 734-487-0106

TAERF BuildingAdministrator 734-487-

EMU Public Safety Dispatch 734-487-1222 or 911Environmental Health &

Safety Kathryn Wilhoff 734-487-7094

Emergency Management Mark Wesley 734-487-0799

Physical Plant Bilal Sarsour

Emergency Situations shouldbe communicated to the

Physical Plant at 734-487-3380during normal business hours

(8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday) or Public Safety for

after hours and weekend callsat 7-1222.

Lock Emergencies Kevin Abbasse 734-487-1000University Health Services Ellen Gold 734-487-1122

Closest Urgent Care Facility

St. Joseph MercyHospital

5301 McAuley Drive Ypsilanti, MI 48197

734-712-3456


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Attachment 2 Mark Jefferson Science Complex 6 th Floor Room Layout

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Attachment 3 Terrestrial & Aquatic Ecology Research Facility (TAERF) Layout

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Aquatic ResearchAquatic Research GreenhouseResearch

GreenhouseResearch

Plant Nursery


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Attachment 5 Emergency Response Procedures**

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Fire

University policy requires that all building occupants must evacuate the building in the event of afire. In the event a fire alarm or an actual fire occurs, the following actions should take place:

1. Staff that initially discovers the fire, explosion or smoke will activate the fire alarm and

notify nearby occupants of the possible danger. If unable to locate a pull station, theemployee will dial 911 from a campus phone or 734.487.1222 from a cell phone.

2. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire or clean up a chemical spill unless you have receivedproper training in these procedures.

3. When the emergency alarm is heard, personnel should not continue with any ongoing orplanned animal procedure.

4. Steps can be taken to secure the animal in a cage, box or locked area, IF THIS CAN BEACCOMPLISHED IN A MATTER OF 1-2 MINUTES . Personnel not needed for thesesteps should begin their evacuation procedures immediately.

5. Personnel attending to vital animal needs must do so expeditiously, and must secureany infectious agents being used, and either secure the animal by returning them to theirhome caging or into temporary housing for safe holding, or euthanize the animal ifsmoke or fire in the immediate area is confirmed.

6. Individuals shall exit quickly in a safe and orderly manner using appropriate evacuationroutes. Do not use elevators. Exit the building using the nearest marked exit.

7. If possible and safe, all laboratory gases should be turned off and doors and windowsclosed upon exiting

8. Contact program personnel to notify them of the situation.

9. Once outside, evacuees should proceed to the assembly area for the building so as notto impede the movements of emergency response personnel.

10. Do not return to the evacuated building unless directed by Campus Police or otheremergency response personnel.

11. Once authorized to return to a building, animal research personnel are to return to theiranimals and are to attend to their care.

** This plan reference emergency situations and steps related to the animal carefacilities for certain incidents. The full University Emergency ResponseProcedure is available at:http://www.emich.edu/publicsafety/emo/procedures/index.php
http://www.emich.edu/publicsafety/emo/procedures/index.phphttp://www.emich.edu/publicsafety/emo/procedures/index.phphttp://www.emich.edu/publicsafety/emo/procedures/index.php


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Evacuation

Evacuation means moving from a threatened area to a safer place. In cases requiring theevacuation of one building, occupants should proceed to a designated meeting area. Anyevacuation decision must take into consideration the hazards presented and other factors suchas traffic, health issues, and in the case of large facilities, it may prevent first responders fromreaching the scene. Evacuation may be accomplished in several ways: Total evacuation, partialevacuation (of affected areas), or a phased evacuation (for large or complex facilities). Whenorders are given to evacuate multiple buildings or large areas of the campus, occupants shouldproceed to the evacuation area as directed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Animals should only be evacuated or relocated if there is an immediate and significant threat totheir well-being. And doing so does not jeopardize the safety of individuals.

If the problem is confined to one room, animals may be moved to an adjacent animal housingroom or to another available room within the Science Complex if the incident is of short durationand the room is adequate for the animals short term needs.

If the problem involves more than one room or the entire animal colony floor of the ScienceComplex, the principal investigator and the IACUC Chair are to be notified of the situation aswell as the Emergency Management Director.

If the evacuation is for a long-term situation, an ad hoc emergency response team of Universityofficials representing the IACUC, Physical Plant, Public Safety, and Environmental Health &Safety will meet to plan for and to respond to the emergency situation. The team is convened bythe IACUC Chair and the Emergency Management Director.

Shelter-in-Place

Generally, shelter in place means simply staying indoors and in a safe place to await further instructions. During extreme circumstances, sheltering in place could also include additionalprecautions, such as turning off fans, air conditioning, and forced air heating systems, to reduceany potential for air contamination in the event of a chemical release.

During Shelter-in-Place, animals will remain in primary enclosures during an emergency andemployees will be assigned to provide animal care as needed. This care includes:

husbandry and care needs for the animals (e.g. food and water) environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, ventilation, lighting) records maintenance


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Hazardous Materials Spill

1. Chemical spills greater than one gallon, one pound or any quantity of highly toxicsubstance:

Evacuate the immediate area.

Close all doors leading into the spill area. Assist contaminated persons to a safety shower or eyewash station. Report the spill immediately to your supervisor and to Environmental Health and

Safety 734.487.0794 . Post signs (if possible) to keep others out.

2. Incidental spills in which there is no fire hazard, involves low to moderately toxicmaterials in small amounts which can be absorbed, neutralized, contained orotherwise controlled by employees in the immediate area:

Assess the hazard Wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment. At minimum, this requires

gloves, lab coat and safety glasses/goggles.

Neutralize strong acids and bases. Contain the spill with appropriate spill clean-up kit. Clean up spill with approved clean-up kit. Temporarily place contaminated clean-up materials in a fume hood or in a 5

gallon bucket. All chemical spill clean-up material must be disposed of a hazardous waste. The person responsible for the clean-up must write a brief report describing how

the spill occurred and the clean-up procedures used. A copy must be given to their supervisor and Environmental Health and Safety.


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Power Outages - Building Automation Systems and HVAC Failure

1. Verify all researchers, students and staff are trained on acceptable temperature ranges,reporting environmental fluctuations, and appropriate response procedures.

2. Maintain list or location map of breakers, emergency power outlet locations, andequipment and animal housing that may be impacted by power loss.

3. Determine number of portable chillers and heaters required to maintain animal roomtemperatures during an HVAC emergency event.

4. Identify critical rooms and ensure that they remain locked or unlocked (as appropriate) inthe event of a system failure. Ensure that facility staff has keys or other methods toaccess locked doors in the event of a system failure.

5. Contact the IACUC Chair and inform that animal lives are at risk due to abnormalenvironmental conditions.

6. Manually check room temperature and humidity.

7. Check to see if the failure/fluctuation may be due to a scheduled utility shutdown.

8. If animal room temperature is elevated to a critical temperature (i.e. animal lives are atrisk), use portable fans, use portable chillers, &/or open doors.

9. If animal room temperature falls to a critical temperature (i.e. animal lives are at risk),place portable space heaters in the room.

10. Once normal power is restored or emergency generators are functioning:

Make sure light switches and ventilated racks are on and operating. Check each animal room temperature and humidity. Re-establish all animal care programs.


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Animal Activism

Faculty, students and staff need to be alert to unauthorized persons attempting to gain accessto the animal facilities. Activists sometimes claim to have a delivery or an appointment, or to have left their access

card elsewhere, and may pretend to have the authority to gain access. Only authorizedpersonnel are allowed to enter. The animal facilities are secure areas.

1. Do not place yourself or others at risk. Contact EMU Public Safety at 734-487-1222immediately if the following situation occur:

If you learn of animal activists targeting the University If a break-in or other illegal activity is in progress If you notice suspicious activity If you arrive during a disturbance outside the building, leave the area at once.

2. Do not confront the individual(s).

3. EMU Public Safety will provide safety escorts on campus upon request: 734-487-1222.


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Attachment 6 Cage & Rack Washer Safety Features

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The cage and rack washer system utilizes 250 gallons of water per minute pumped into thewasher at 3 bar (45 PSI) pressure. Safety features include panic-proof self-deflating doorgaskets, large observation windows, safety switches on doors and self-cleaning filter, warninglights and acoustic alarms, chamber overpressure air vent, certified IP55 rating of the electricalbox and a Siemens microprocessor with a password protected touch-screen for operatorinterface. Safety features also include clearly marked external emergency stop buttons at bothload and unload sides as well as easy-to-grasp, wide red emergency bars on the inside.


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Attachment 7 References

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Animal Welfare Act Regulations (USDA)

Health Research Extension Act (NIH)

Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS)

US Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing,Research, and Training

Office of Laboratory Welfare (OLAW) website: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/olaw

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (ILAR/NAS)

Guidelines for the Care and Use of Fish in Research (ILAR)

Guidelines for the Care of Amphibians and Reptiles in Academic Institutions (ILAR)

Documents

Animal Welfare Plan EMU