Education and Training for the humane care and use of animals in research, training and testing.

Transcription

1 Education and Training for the humane care and use of animals in research, training and testing. The intent of this policy is to describe the requirements for education and training for personnel involved in the care and use of animals for research and teaching at National University of Singapore (NUS). TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Policy & Training Requirements A. Training requirements B. Office of Safety, Health & Environment (OSHE) training C. Recertification D. Exemptions from training 2. Procedures and Documentation 3. Training Requirements for Animal users 4. References 1. Policy and Training Requirements All personnel utilizing and/or handling animals for research and teaching at NUS must be adequately trained, educated and qualified in the principles of laboratory animal science and lab safety, the specific procedures that they are expected to perform with the species of animals being used, their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the humane care and use of animals, and the ethical principles and University policies and procedures governing the use of animals in research, testing and teaching. Training requirements for personnel involved in animal care and use are determined by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IACUC is responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance with those requirements. Comparative Medicine (CM) is responsible for managing the training and education of the animal users. A. Training Requirements: The training requirements set by the IACUC are based on 1) the procedures the individual will perform, 2) the species that will be used and 3) special considerations related to the role of the person in the animal care and use program. All personnel working with animals must ordinarily complete the assigned mandatory training before they can begin work with animals. Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 1 of 7

2 i. Personnel named on IACUC protocols: All personnel named on an animal use protocol must complete the assigned training prior to protocol approval. RCULA [Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals] Part 1 Series (online) assigned as required: Introduction to the Care and Use of Research Animals is an online module which covers essential information related to animal care and use policies and procedures. Part 1 exists in three versions, i.e. Part 1A, 1B and 1C each of which is specific to the type of animal work that will be conducted. i. Part 1A- Biomedical Research and Teaching ii. Part 1B- Wildlife/Field Studies iii. Part 1C- Fish for Scientific Purposes (RCUF) RCULA/RCUF [Responsible Care and Use of Fish] Part 2 Species-specific training: is required by CM as appropriate (e.g. online Modules and/or hands-on training). See (3) Training requirements for animal users. RCULA Part 3 Customized hands-on training: (e.g. advance surgical techniques) is determined by the procedures listed on the IACUC protocol. See (3) Training requirements for animal users. RCULA Part 4 (Animal facility orientation training): is given by the animal facility supervisor or designate before giving access to the animal facility(ies) where the research will be conducted. ii. Undergraduate and post-graduate students: RCULA Part 1A or 1B in the class CM veterinarian or Training coordinator will conduct the online RCULA module for the undergraduate and post graduate students in classroom teaching protocols involving the use of euthanized animals, cadavers, animal tissues and/or live animals during their respective classes prior to their hands - on. iii. IACUC members: IACUC members must complete both RCULA Part 1 courses (1A & 1B) and the course on Animal Allergies. IACUC members are provided copies of or information on applicable AVA regulations, NACLAR guidelines and University and IACUC policies and procedures. The Guide for the care and Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 2 of 7

3 use of laboratory animals (8 th Edition) and Institutional AAALAC programme description are available too. All must be given a copy of the Guide. New IACUC members meet with the IACUC Chair, the Attending Veterinarian or designate and others if required, to learn about regulatory requirements, University and IACUC policies, role of the IACUC, responsibilities as IACUC members, and tactical information on how to perform the functions required of them as IACUC members electronically. Continuing education on relevant topics such as new or updated regulatory requirements and guidance, contemporary issues in animal care and use, etc. is provided at IACUC meetings or otherwise distributed to the members. Basic IACUC Training Course organized by Agrifood Technologies Pte Ltd (ATP) and Singapore Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SALAS) is available annually for new IACUC members and it is expected that IACUC members will attend. iv. Animal Care Staff (including undergraduate or graduate students performing animal care duties): are required to complete training requirements before they can start work with live animals. The facility supervisor or alternate is responsible for assigning, monitoring and documenting completion of training for animal care staff. RCULA Part 1 (the relevant module/s) must be completed, either on-line or in a presentation given by the Training Coordinator or designee. Online Animal Allergies course Additional relevant training as assigned by CM supervisor. v. Maintenance and Custodial Workers: The LSI building manager for CELS and/or facility supervisor for MD2, MD11, Pediatrics, DBS & TMSI are responsible for meeting with maintenance or custodial workers and providing them with necessary information on circulation of people and equipment, personal protective equipment, and any other issues of importance related to the facility. The building manager/ facility supervisor will liaise with CM training coordinator if additional training is required. Documentation of training is coordinated by training coordinator through facility supervisors. Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 3 of 7

4 Untrained workers must always be accompanied by an animal facility employee, research staff and/or departmental staff responsible for the management of that space. vi. All Visitors: The Principal Investigator (PI) or his/her designee must inform and receive approval from the supervisor of the animal facility before bringing visitors into the facility. The facility supervisor, in consultation with the Attending Veterinarian and the PI or designee, will determine the training required and communicate the requirements to the PI and the visitor. The PI is responsible for ensuring that the visitor completes the assigned training before the actual day of visit. Visitors must always be accompanied by an animal facility employee, research staff responsible for the management of the animal use in that space. B. Office of Safety, Health & Environment (OSHE) training: In addition to training related to the care and use of animals and animal allergies, training related to the use of hazardous agents such as Blood Borne Pathogens or ABSL2 (Animal BioSafety Level 2) training may be assigned if the animal work involves working in such conditions. NUS-specific safety training requirements and practices shall be assigned if required by OSHE. Additional training on the use and disposal of cytotoxic/unknown drugs in animal research shall be assigned if required by OSHE. The OSHE BioSafety Officer or his/her designee is responsible for assigning this training. C. Additional Training: In cases where there may be significant new or updated information that has an impact on the humane treatment of animals, regulatory requirements or University policies, or if the IACUC believes that an animal user needs additional training besides refresher training, the IACUC may require new, supplemental training as appropriate. D. Exemptions from training: For exemptions: PIs who only supervise the scientific aspects of the projects but do not handle animals may be exempted from the hands-on training. Trained qualified individuals with relevant documented training and significant experience with certain specific animal models or surgical biomethods (minimum 5 years and above) may be exempted from the hands-on training. Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 4 of 7

5 Individuals must complete the Training Registration/Exemption Form and submit it to the CM Training Coordinator. The following information must be included in the exemption request: The reason for requesting an exemption A list of relevant training previously completed by the individual A signature by the PI and/or the supervisor of the individual requesting the exemption The Training Coordinator recommends whether the exemption should be granted based on either 1) the assessment of prior training documentation OR 2) observation and written confirmation of proficiency in those techniques applicable to the exemption request. The IACUC makes the final decision on exemption requests for individuals listed on an animal use protocol. 2. Procedures & Documentation: A. All new animal users should complete the Training Registration/Exemption form located on the IACUC website ( or other designated website or database. B. Online Courses are offered through the AALAS Learning Library (ALL). NUS users can access the training at any time using their NUS Staff or Student ID. Other than the courses assigned by the IACUC, learners can take any of the courses offered at ALL. To access the training and for instructions and other information related to training, go to the IACUC website ( or other designated website or database. C. Training records will be maintained by the Training Coordinator in the designated database. 3. Training Requirements for Animal users A. Rodents: i. RCULA 1A On-line modules based on the species with which the individual is working Working with the Laboratory Mouse Introduction to Guinea Pigs Introduction to Rats Hands on training for mice, rats or guinea pigs taught by CM training personnel (Note: Attendance in this class requires the Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 5 of 7

6 participant to have prior Occupational Health Programme clearance). Animal Allergy course ii. Surgical: additional on-line courses assigned to rodent users performing surgery. Aseptic Technique for Rodent Survival Surgery Post Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research: Minimizing Pain and Distress Inhalation Anesthesia Systems for Rodents online module And hands - on sessions, as appropriate. iii. Breeding- assigned to mouse users involved with breeding protocols Mouse Breeding Colony Management (online) B. Large animals i. RCULA 1A ii. Pigs: Introduction to Swine (online) Animal Allergy course (online ) Hands- on workshop Surgery: Hands-on pre-, peri-, and post-operative swine monitoring procedures iii. Rabbits: Introduction to rabbit (online) Animal Allergy course (online ) Hands on workshop Surgery: Hands-on pre-, peri-, and post-operative rabbit monitoring procedures C. Fish and Frogs i. RCULA Part 1A or 1B- Online (Frog) ii. RCULA Part 1C- Fish For Scientific Purposes (RCUF)- Online Zebra fish & Medaka (excluding classroom teaching protocols): Working with the Laboratory Zebra Fish (online) All other fish: Aquatic Animal Husbandry and Management (online) Hands - on training for fish (RCUF). See(1Ai) Part 2 Speciesspecific training Frogs: working with Laboratory Xenopus (online) D. Biodiversity / wildlife researchers i. RCULA Part 1B- Wildlife/Field Studies Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 6 of 7

7 4. References: AVA Animals and Birds Act (Chapter 7) Animals and Birds (Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Rules 2004 National Advisory Committee on Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) duc%20and%20train.pdf %20Hands-on%20Session%20of%20RCULA%20RCUF%20Tranining.pdf Last Update: 18 March 2015 Page 7 of 7