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Laboratory Animal Program Safety Committee Charter

SCOPE:

The Laboratory Animal Program Safety Committee, under direction of the Vice Provost for Research, will implement University of Delaware Safety Policies as they relate to the care and use of animals in the Wolf Hall and Worrilow Hall animal facilities. The committee's actions and directives shall apply to all faculty, staff, and students in these areas who conduct research involving animals or are responsible for their care, as well as to guests visiting the facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Examine animal care policies and procedures, and make recommendations to management as necessary to ensure safe working conditions in the animal facilities and compliance with University Safety Policies.

Ensure that risks associated with the experimental use of animals are reduced to acceptable levels.

Ensure that all employees and students handling or caring for animals have received training in the safety measures applicable to their assignments.

Develop and implement written policies governing experimentation with hazardous biological, chemical, and physical agents including facility, engineering, and personnel protective equipment requirements.

Conduct quarterly safety surveys (more often if circumstances warrant) of the Wolf Hall and Worrilow Hall animal facilities to confirm that safe animal handling procedures are being followed and to identify areas needing improvement.

Review accident reports to identify trends or developing problems. Potential hazards such as animal bites, allergens, zoonosis, chemical cleaning agents that are inherent to or intrinsic to animal use should be identified and evaluated.

Review any animal protocols for which the Animal Care and Use Committee requests advice on safety issues.

Assist the administration with accident investigations.

Assist the administration with safety training and work to instill a positive safety attitude in employees and students.

Submit an annual report of committee activities by each July 31 to the Department of Occupational Health and Safety.

MEMBERSHIP:
The committee will consist of five members, including two faculty members, one veterinarian, and one safety specialist. The Chair of the Animal Care and Use Committee, the manager of the animal facility, the attending veterinarian, and the Director of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety shall serve as ex officio members.

The Vice Provost for Research will appoint the committee chair members to serve two-year terms, beginning on July 1. Three members will be appointed in odd-numbered years and two in even-numbered years. The chair and committee members may be reappointed.

MEETINGS:
Regular meetings will be held quarterly, closely following inspection of the animal facilities. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the Chair's discretion or by petition of three or more members.

A quorum of three is needed to conduct a meeting. Two or more members are needed to conduct an inspection of the facilities.

Each meeting agenda will include a review of the facilities survey and of all accidents reported since the previous meeting, as well as other items needed to carry out the responsibilities above.

The Chair shall arrange that minutes of each meeting be recorded and distributed to members.

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Questions regarding the University Biosafety Committee may be addressed to Krista Murray at klmurray@udel.edu or call 831-1433.