ANSC Compliance Corner

For questions, comments and concerns, or if you need initial IACUC training, please contact our Compliance Coordinator Sharon Aborn at 860-486-4408 or sharon.aborn@uconn.edu.

Training and Documentation Requirements

Principal Investigators (PI)

  • IACUC Training (once every 3 years)

Student Employees (Barns)

  • IACUC Training (must renew annually; in person only if first time)
    •  Training Information
    • Hazard Communications (HuskySMS)
    • Voluntary use of a Respirator (HuskySMS)
    • PPE (HuskySMS)
    • Biological Safety Considerations in Farm Animal Research and Production (HuskySMS)
  • Compliance Coordinator/ Barn Manager will review with you in person:
    • The Workplace Hazards Assessment (WHA)- Barn Manager
    • Employee Safety Orientation Report of Required Training- Compliance Coordinator
  • Payroll Authorization Requirements
    • Email Tina Burnham (tina.burnham@uconn.edu): Please include your name, contact info, who has hired you, your job title, when you will be starting your new position, and if you have previously worked for UConn.

      Independent Study Students (Requirements when working with UConn Animals)

      *Forms are available in the main office and require signatures.

      Student Employees (Laboratories)

      Mandatory for ALL Laboratory Personnel

      • Laboratory Safety and Chemical Waste Management
      • Biosafety (General)

      Highly Recommended for ALL Laboratory Personnel

      • Shipping and Transportation of Biological Agents

      Dependent on Specific Laboratory and Individual Responsibilities

      • IACUC Training (mandatory annually - if expecting contact with live animals)
      • Biological Safety in Animal Research (mandatory if expecting contact with live animals)
      • Bloodborne Pathogens  (mandatory if in contact with potentially infectious agents e.g. salmonella, e.coli, etc.)
      • Voluntary Use of Respirator (contact laboratory manager)

      Register for EHS Trainings if working in Laboratories

      Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

      The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with responsibility for reviewing the University of Connecticut's program for the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching as described in its Assurance and University Policy. The IACUC is created by and subject to federal law: the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS 1986), the USDA Animal Welfare Act/Regulations (CFR 1985) and related Guides. Members include scientists and nonscientists, veterinarians and nonaffiliated individuals from the community. Members are appointed by the President on recommendation of the Vice President for Research (VPR).

      Initial IACUC Training is a requirement for everyone working with live vertebrate animals at the University of Connecticut in accordance with the policies and guidelines set forth in the "Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" (PHS 1986), the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" (ILAR 2011), the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (CFR 1985) and the "Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching."

      Retraining is required for faculty PIs on a triennial basis (once every three years). All other animal users (staff, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates) must complete IACUC retraining on an annual basis.

      IACUC Training Options and Schedule

      ONLINE - https://ovpr.uconn.edu/services/rics/animal/iacuc/iacuc-training/         

      Complete the Online IACUC Course

      **Please note: You must select “Working with the IACUC course” and NOT the “IACUC review course” to receive credit for the initial IACUC training requirement.  For individuals that are due for the annual retraining, both courses are acceptable.

      Division of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

      Mission

      To provide comprehensive environmental health and safety services for the University community by developing and administering effective policies and procedures that prevent personal injuries and maintain regulatory compliance in the areas of biological, chemical, occupational, and radiation safety, thereby supporting the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service. 

      Goals

      • Ensure that all written policies, procedures, and training materials for applicable regulatory standards are established, current, and delivered to appropriate campus groups
      • Maintain an up-to-date departmental web page to enhance access to health and safety policies, procedures, technical guidance documents, and compliance assistance information.
      • Improve communications with the University community, and stress the importance of adhering to health and safety standards on a campus-wide basis.
      • Promote the department's role as an environmental health and safety information resource ready to meet the needs of the campus community.

      EHS Training Module specific to ANSCI barn employees - online or in person

      • Review of Workplace Hazard Assessment
      • Employee Safety Orientation
      • Hazard Communication
      • Voluntary Use of Respirator
      • Personal Protective Equipment
      • Animal Handler Forms

      EHS Training Module Schedule for ANSCI barn employees

      Register for EHS Trainings

      Quick Tips and Helpful Hints Around the Barn and Lab!

      How often do you tie your shoe laces? How often do you buckle your seat belt? And have you ever put on shin guards for soccer, a helmet for baseball or even goggles for swimming?  For most of us, these preparations don’t take much forethought and only take a minute or so out of our busy day. This is what we are striving for in the Animal Science Department at UConn.

      Any tool or piece of equipment that you “don” or put on to protect yourself from injury or pain is considered personal protective equipment (PPE). Here are a few tips on the most common types of PPE that are used in our beloved department. *Caution* These tips will do more than protect you, they’ll impress your managers and help you keep your job!!

      Safety Glasses

      • If you are in a laboratory and within arms reach of chemicals and/or potentially infectious materials, put on safety glasses.  Otherwise, put on safety glasses!
      • Safety Glasses vs Goggles – Goggles provide a more complete seal around your eyes. Therefore, if you perceive a higher than normal risk of chemicals or infectious agents spilling or splashing, goggles are your best option.

      Laboratory Coats

      • If you are in a laboratory and working with chemicals and/or potentially infectious materials, put on a laboratory coat. Otherwise, your clothing may be carrying some interesting specimens from your lab to your very own home!

      Appropriate Clothing or Uniforms

      • Long pants are a MUST at all of the barn units and should also be considered when working in laboratories that contain chemicals or infections agents.

      Steel Toed Boots

      • If you are working at any of the livestock units, steel toed boots are a must! For individuals concerned about the risks of using steel toed boots, MythBusters Episode 42 has dispelled the myth that you can lose toes if something heavy actually lands on your reinforced boots. In any case, according to Federal Law it is still required.

      **One Last Tip...…**   

      It’s THE pet peeve of some professors in this department that students wear open toed shoes in laboratories. Closed toed shoes are required in all laboratories and at all livestock units even if you are “just visiting”. Let’s try to keep our professors and our toes happy!

      Preparing for Inspections of your Labs and Barns