AFDELING FOR EKSPERIMENTEL MEDICIN
DET SUNDHEDSVIDENSKABELIGE FAKULTET
KØBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET & RIGSHOSPITALET
Written by: CHKA
SOP
Topic: Udstyr, drift og
vedligeholdelse
Page: 1 of 5
Date: 24-11-2014
Approved by: CJB
Laboratory fittings and procedures for external laboratories
Contents
1. Purpose/Scope/Training ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Health and Safety risks and warnings and accident procedures ........................................................................................ 1
3. Procedure & equipment ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
3.1 Physical barriers ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
3.1.1. LAF-bench or fume hood ...................................................................................................................................... 2
3.1.2. The entire laboratory as the allergen zone........................................................................................................... 2
Figure 4. Laboratory where animal research is possible in the entire room (the yellow zone is the allergen zone),
with an intermediate PPE area. ...................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2. Behaviour and procedures........................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3. Transport ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.4. Housing of animals in external laboratories ................................................................................................................ 5
4. Appendices ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5. References .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Purpose/Scope/Training
Relevant for: All people planning terminal procedures of research animals in laboratories external to AEM facilities
Purpose: The purpose of these guidelines is to give information to laboratory managers, where animals are used for research
purposes, about rules which must be adhered to when housing animals. Exposure to animal allergens can be minimised to reduce
the risk of developing allergies. This is a complex problem and can be solved in different ways, both with physical barriers and
disseminating knowledge to researchers about external areas and transport of animals.
Does not require formal training ⊠ Requires training ☐
2. Health and Safety risks and warnings and accident procedures
Relevant ⊠
Not relevant ☐
Health and safety risk: Work with research animals often involves the risk of developing allergies. Dander and animal hair is normally
found in dust in laboratories where work with animals is undertaken. It is exposure dander and hair that can often result in allergies.
It is therefore important that laboratories where animals are to be housed (even for short periods of time) are set up in an
appropriate manner and have appropriate procedures in order to minimise the exposure to allergens.
AFDELING FOR EKSPERIMENTEL MEDICIN
DET SUNDHEDSVIDENSKABELIGE FAKULTET
KØBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET & RIGSHOSPITALET
Written by: CHKA
SOP
Topic: Udstyr, drift og
vedligeholdelse
Page: 2 of 5
Date: 24-11-2014
Approved by: CJB
Laboratory fittings and procedures for external laboratories
3. Procedure & equipment
3.1 Physical barriers
Physical barriers should be set up so that exposure to and spreading of allergens is minimised as much as possible.
There should be clear signs depicting the allergen zone and clear guidelines about what personal protective equipment
must be worn.
Figure 1. Allergen sign
Physical barrier scan be either a LAF-bench or fume hood or an entire laboratory:
3.1.1. LAF-bench or fume hood
If it is possible to work with animals in a LAF-bench or fume hood then this can function as the allergen zone. In this case
handling of ALL materials (including the cage) must be undertaken within the LAF-bench or fume hood. Short term
housing of animals may be in a cage in the LAF-bench or fume hood or in a scantainer (a specially ventilated cabinet).
Clear signs must be set up. Further measures are not required.
Figure 2. Lab where animal research is restricted to work within a LAF-bench or fume hood (the yellow allergen zone).
Laboratory
LAFbench/
fume
hood
3.1.2. The entire laboratory as the allergen zone
If the work must be undertaken within a room rather than a LAF-bench or fume hood (in the case of large scale
experiments or when there is no access to LAF-benches or fume hoods), the laboratory must be set up appropriately.
AFDELING FOR EKSPERIMENTEL MEDICIN
DET SUNDHEDSVIDENSKABELIGE FAKULTET
KØBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET & RIGSHOSPITALET
Written by: CHKA
SOP
Topic: Udstyr, drift og
vedligeholdelse
Page: 3 of 5
Date: 24-11-2014
Approved by: CJB
Laboratory fittings and procedures for external laboratories
The research area should be contained from the surrounding environment with an area for putting personal protective
equipment on. PPE must only be used in the research area, should consist of coveralls, shoe covers or changing into
special shoes and should be put on before entering the research area.
The laboratory should be furnished with a well-functioning ventilation system. To minimise the spread of allergens, a
pressure gradient should be established where the highest pressure is in the corridor (eg. 15), a lower pressure is in the
PPE area and the lowest pressure (eg. 30) should be in the research area as well as humidification of the ventilated air.
Figure 3. Laboratory where research is undertaken in the entire room (the yellow area is the allergen zone).
PPE
Laboratory
If it is not possible to furnish the room with a PPE area and an appropriate ventilation gradient, it is recommended that
the laboratory is set to negative pressure and that a clear area is marked on the floor where PPE can be put on before
stepping into the research area.
Figure 4. Laboratory where animal research is possible in the entire room (the yellow zone is the allergen zone), with an
intermediate PPE area.
PPE
Laboratory
AFDELING FOR EKSPERIMENTEL MEDICIN
DET SUNDHEDSVIDENSKABELIGE FAKULTET
KØBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET & RIGSHOSPITALET
Written by: CHKA
SOP
Topic: Udstyr, drift og
vedligeholdelse
Page: 4 of 5
Date: 24-11-2014
Approved by: CJB
Laboratory fittings and procedures for external laboratories
3.2. Behaviour and procedures
Personnel should be informed about the risk of allergens and should be trained in how to work in order to reduce the
exposure to themselves and others. Written SOPs should be made available and appropriate work procedures should be
implemented.
Recommended PPE:
 Coverall
 Over shoes / shoe change
 Hair net
 Gloves if in contact with animals
 Mask with the correct filter if necessary
An alternative to the above should at a minimum be a lab coat and shoe covers/Shoe change.
Used protective equipment may not leave the area where laboratory animals are used.
There should also be facilities to wash hands or use hand disinfection when leaving the allergen zone.
Figure 5. Recommended PPE
3.3. Transport
Transport of animals from AEM’s units to external laboratories must be undertaken in the following way:
Conventional cages: Put a filter-top on the cage and put it in a plastic bag. Tie the bag closed.
IVC-cages: Package in a plastic bag (two bags when taking animals from unit 16-2, which are also sprayed with Virkon S)
and close the bag.
It is recommended to transport the cage on a trolley to minimise the risk of dropping the cage.
When empty, dirty cages are transported to collection areas, it is just as important to package them in plastic bags and
to leave them like this in the collection area so that allergens are contained.
AFDELING FOR EKSPERIMENTEL MEDICIN
DET SUNDHEDSVIDENSKABELIGE FAKULTET
KØBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET & RIGSHOSPITALET
Written by: CHKA
SOP
Topic: Udstyr, drift og
vedligeholdelse
Page: 5 of 5
Date: 24-11-2014
Approved by: CJB
Laboratory fittings and procedures for external laboratories
3.4. Housing of animals in external laboratories
Animals may NOT be housed in external laboratories for more than one work day. Under special circumstances there
can be a requirement that animals may be housed overnight in external laboratories, however this must eb organised
with AEM veterinarians.
4. Appendices
5. References