Research Compliance

Subject:  Training Requirements for Visitors and Personnel Working with Animals

Revision Date: August 21, 2024

Guideline on Training Requirements for Visitors and Personnel Working with Animals The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with ensuring that personnel that care for or conduct procedures on living animals have appropriate qualification, experience, and training. The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for ensuring that all personnel (laboratory staff, instructors, teaching assistants, students) using live animals are appropriately listed or identified on the animal protocol. Additionally, the PI must ensure that all personnel are appropriately trained, informed of applicable regulatory requirements, and apprised of all hazards and risks prior to allowing personnel to engage in animal activities. 

• Visitors/Tour Attendees/Observers are defined as individuals entering an animal area for observational purposes only. 
• Short-term personnel are defined as individuals participating in a research or training activity for ten (10) or fewer consecutive days or twenty (20) or fewer total days over a one-year period. The intent is to permit an educational event, such as a visiting scientist sharing procedural knowledge or medical students participating in a teaching laboratory. The role of short-term personnel should not be used to fill employment gaps.
• Long-term personnel are defined as individuals participating in a research or training activity for more than ten (10) consecutive days or twenty (20) total days over a one-year period.

Visitors/Tour Attendees/Observers

• Not required to be listed on the animal protocol
• Must be approved in advance by the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) office
• Cannot touch or handle animals; observation only
• If touring a DLAR animal facility, visitors must sign in and out at the DLAR front office and must be accompanied by a member of the DLAR staff or research staff member on an approved protocol

Short-Term Personnel

• Not required to be listed on the animal protocol via a personnel amendment
• Not required to be enrolled in Medical Surveillance Program
• Must receive information on animal use policies and protections, whistle blower policies, and occupational health risks (e.g., zoonoses, PPE)
• Must work under the direct supervision of the PI, DLAR, or an experienced member of the PIs laboratory who is listed on the protocol 
• Cannot handle animals or perform procedures on the protocol unless the person is a visiting scientist/technical expert sharing procedural knowledge.

The PI must submit a Short-term Personnel Form to the IACUC Administrator prior to the class/activity start date. This email document signifies the assurance of the PI that they are responsible for training in lieu of the mandatory training requirements. The personnel’s participation in the protocol(s) will not commence until the PI has received a response from the IACUC regarding approval of the form.

Long-Term Personnel

• Required to be listed on the animal use protocol
• Required to be enrolled in the Medical Surveillance Program
• Must complete appropriate training as listed below

Training Requirements for Long-Term Personnel

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) requires that all personnel involved with the care and use of animals be adequately educated, trained, and/or qualified, and that training programs include continuing education. The Guide also requires documentation of training. This section of this guideline specifies the training requirements that are in place at The University of Toledo to meet applicable regulations and guidelines pertaining to animal use.

Initial Training Required Prior to Protocol/Amendment Approval

Prior to working with animals, individuals must complete basic training components as detailed below. Note, that additional training may also be required if an individual changes job/protocol responsibilities after initial approval to work with animals. Completion of the training below is required for new and renewal protocols, or personnel amendment approval.

Initial Training Required After Protocol/Amendment Approval

In order to gain access to Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) facilities, additional IACUC/DLAR training is required as detailed below. Some IACUC/DLAR training is dependent on specific job/protocol duties. 

Training Required Prior to Preforming Certain Procedures

Prior to performing these procedures, additional training is required as detailed below.

Recommended Training

References

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition. 2011. National Research Council Committee for the Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US).