To secure and maintain a safe working environment, a number of guidelines must be complied with when working with animals and animal experiments. The occupational health and safety group in The Animal Facility at the Department of Biomedicine must always be contacted before using biological agents or substances hazardous to health. The work environment group can always be contacted for other questions concerning the working environment and safety, including laboratory animal allergies.

Use of biological agents

In the animal facilities, there are several biosafety class 2 laboratories where experimental animals must be kept when treated with a class 2 biological agents. An agreement on the use of biological agents is made with the management and the working environment group, and a biological APB (workplace instruction) and risk assessment are prepared before the work can begin. All work with microorganisms in risk group 2, 3 or 4 must be reported to the Danish Working Environment Authority no later than 30 days before the work begins. The Danish Working Environment Authority does not have to approve the work, but will review and acknowledge the notification.

Use of substances hazardous to health

The use of substances hazardous to health such as carcinogens, toxic substances, cancer cells and other cell lines is agreed upon with the management and the work environment group in The Animal Facility before the work begins. A chemical APB (workplace instruction) and risk assessment must be prepared before the work with hazardous substances can start. For each study using substances hazardous to health, all measures to secure safe handling and maintain safe working environment must be described.

Labeling of substances

All substances used in The Animal Facility must be labeled with the name of the substance, name of the researcher and date of use. In addition, substances must be hazard-labelled, if this is relevant. After the end of the experiment, the reseachers themselves must remove and dispose of any remaining substance in an approved and responsible manner.

Prevention of allergies

Access to The Animal Facility is only possible via dedicated changing rooms and airshowers. Before entering, you must change your footwear, and put on a blue suit in the changing room. Gloves are always used when handling laboratory animals. In addition, a mask must always be used when working with experimental animals outside the fume hoods, LAF benches or changing stations. It is recommended that people with preexisting allergies or hypersensitivities wear an M3 mask. Hands should always be washed before leaving The Animal Facility.