1.0INTRODUCTION
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has a responsibility to ensure that effective control is exercised in the care and use of experimental animals. All animals (live, non-human vertebrates) are protected by the Animals for Research Act of Ontario and its associated regulations. In addition to this legislation, the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) require adherence to the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) as verified by receipt of a Good Animal Practice (GAP) certificate from the CCAC.
Any research or teaching activity involving live animals (vertebrates or cephalopods) as experimental subjects conducted by researchers, staff or students at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology fall under the purview of the Animal Care Committee as appointed by the Associate Provost, Research, representing the Senior Administration of the University.This includes research involving animals that is conducted at/with other institutions, regardless of whether approval has been already obtained from the other institutions(s).Researchers intending to use animals must obtain approval of their research protocol by the Committee before animals may be procured or funds may be released if a grant has been awarded.
This document outlines the requirements of the University for working with animals in accordance with the UOIT Policy on the Care and Use of Animals in Research and Teaching, and provides guidance to researchers in setting up protocols for the proper treatment of animals as well as providing for the health and safety of staff and students.
It should be noted that the requirements specified in this document for working with animals form only a part of the overall University health and safety program for faculty, staff and students. In any research or teaching activity it is important to identify any potential hazards during the planning of the work so that appropriate training and controls are put in place.
2.0RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1Associate Provost Research
The Associate Provost Research is the senior university administrator responsible for overseeing the Animal Care and Use Program. The Office of Research Services administers the program on his behalf.
2.2Animal Care Committee
Both the Ontario legislation Animals for Research Act and the CCAC require institutions where research is conducted using animals to establish and maintain an Animal Care Committee (ACC) and that this committee if responsible for the oversight and control of all research and teaching with animals.
Policy on the Care and Use of Animals in Research & TeachingThe University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) maintains a policy supporting the responsible use of animals in research and teaching.UOIT cooperates and complies with all agencies regulating the use of laboratory animals.
Essential Principles of Humane Animal Care and Use at UOIT
1.All projects involving the use of animals must be approved by the UOIT Animal Care Committee in accordance with the regulations of the Animals for Research Act, Province of Ontario and the Policies and Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
2.Animals will only be used when credible scientific merit for research use and pedagogical value for teaching has been established for the animals to be used.
3.Animals will only be used when alternative procedures are not feasible and the species selected will be carefully selected to ensure the most effective use of animals.
4.The least invasive techniques possible will be employed and alleviation/reduction of pain and distress will be of prime concern during and after all procedures.
5.The number of animals will be the minimum required to achieve the objectives of the research/teaching program.
6.All animals will be cared for according to current veterinary standards.
7.All persons caring for and using animals will be trained to a level of competence ensuring maximum benefit to the animals.
Approved by the UOIT Animal Care Committee and the UOIT Associate Provost Research.
Date:
The UOIT Animal Care Committee (ACC) has been established to meet these requirements. This committee (ACC) is appointed by and is responsible to the Associate Provost, Research according to the CCAC Policy Statement for: Senior Administrators Responsible for Animal Care & Use Programs, 2008. The ACC has the responsibility to ensure that all experimental animals are properly
cared for and that projects involving the use of animals are carried out according to the Animals for Research Act of Ontario and the CCAC policies & guidelines where applicable.
The ACC provides ethical review and approval for all proposed uses of animals in research (including field studies) and teaching and establishes internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the legislation and guidelines.
2.3Compliance Officer/Animal Care Coordinator
The Compliance Officer/Animal Care Coordinator in the Office of Research Services provides active, day-to-day support of the Committee’s activities and those of researchers, and is secretary to the Committee.The Compliance Officer is a member of the Post Approval Monitoring Sub-committee and will be responsible for scheduling monitoring visits of the animal care facilities.
The Compliance Officer/Animal Care Coordinator also provides a liaison with the Biosafety Officer, the Radiation Safety Officer and the University Safety Officer.
2.4Biosafety Officer
The Biosafety Officer provides advice and assistance in identifying and controlling biohazards and in the procurement of a Biosafety Certificate. The Biosafety Officer conducts and initial review of all protocols and conducts site inspections in relation to the requirements of the Biosafety Certificate.
2.5Radiation Safety Officer
The Radiation Safety Officer provides advice and assistance in identifying and controlling radiation hazards and in the procurements of a Radioisotope or other Radiation use Permit. The Radiation Safety Officer reviews any protocols requiring the use of radiation or radioactive materials and conducts site inspections in relation to the requirements of the Radiation Safety Permit.
2.6University Safety Officer
The University Safety Officer provides advice and assistance with respect identifying and controlling all other occupational hazards (with the exception of radiation and biohazards). The University Safety Officer conducts independent site inspections and reports the results in writing to the animal user and the Animal Care Committee.
2.7Animal Users
Faculty and staff using or proposing to use animals in the research and teaching programs of the University are responsible for complying with the University policy and procedures set out by the Animal Care Committee, the Biosafety Committee, the Radiation Safety Committee and other University safety programs and requirements. See the Health and Safety website at:
3.0LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES
3.1Criminal Code of Canada
The Criminal Code of Canada (sections 444 to 447) protects animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. The law covers all animals and does not exclude actions against animals used in research. In particular, it is an offence to “cause or willfully permit to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or bird”. In addition, failure to exercise reasonable care or supervision of an animal, thereby causing it pain, suffering or injury can be taken as proof that pain, suffering, or injury was caused willfully.
3.2Ontario Animals for Research Act
This Act covers all non-human vertebrates used in conjunction with studies, investigation and teaching in any field of knowledge. It is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
The Animals for Research Act requires that all animal care facilities be registered annually with the Ministry, and that a report on the total number of every species of animals used each year in each research, teaching, or testing facility be submitted. Facilities are also inspected by Ministry inspectors. These inspections are usually done annually and are unannounced.
An OMAFRA inspection is required prior to the initiation of any new animal research that involves a new room or facility, and new facilities must be registered with OMAFRA before animals may be procured. This requirement is in addition to receiving approval from the UOIT Animal Care Committee. Any new facilities and proposed plans should be discussed with the chief inspector before contracts are issued and construction begins.
3.3Canadian Council on Animal Care Guidelines
The Canadian Council on Animal Care is the national peer review agency responsible for setting and maintaining standards for the care and use of animals in research, teaching and testing throughout Canada.
CCAC programs are generally voluntary, however all Canadian institutions that receive funding from federal granting agencies are must adhere to CCAC guidelines and policies and are subject to mandatory oversight by the CCAC.The CCAC will conduct regular site visits and prepare formal assessments of the facilities.
In order the maintain funding from federal agencies, the University must maintain a “Certificate of Good Animal Practice” issued by the CCAC.
Any new facilities and proposed plans should be discussed with the CCAC before contracts are issued and construction begins.
4.0ANIMAL UTILIZATION PROTOCOL
All faculty or staff wishing to use animals (vertebrates or cephalopods) must submit an Animal Utilization Protocol form to the UOIT Animal Care Committee for approval. No animals may be procured or grant funds released without an approved protocol.
If involvement with animals occurs at a later stage of a research study, then application may be made for an early release of funds until such time as the animals will be involved. Please see “Request the Release Funds”.
Where research involves animals is conducted at/with another institution a copy of that institution’s approval letter must be forwarded to the Compliance Office and reviewed by the Animal Care Committee for acceptance.
The Animal Use Protocol focuses primarily on the type, numbers, care and use of animals. Those working with animals may also be at risk of exposure to physical, chemical and biological hazards either associated with the animal work or present in the workplace. These hazards are to be identified in the Protocol submission. Depending on the nature of the work, additional permits may be required (e.g. biosafety certificate or radioisotope permit). These additional requirements are detailed in Section 5.
Protocol forms are available at: (website URL needed here)
Protocols are reviewed and renewed annually with a maximum of three renewals. A new protocol must be submitted after the third renewal.
5.0BIOSAFETY CERTIFICATE
In addition to an Animal Utilization Protocol, all work with animals also requires a Biosafety Certificate issued by the UOIT Biosafety Committee.
Working with laboratory animals poses a variety of hazards including exposure to infectious agents, zoonotic disease, animal bites and scratches, allergies, chemicals, and physical agents such as noise and temperature.
The Biosafety certificate focuses on the identification of potentially hazardous biological organisms, zoonotic diseases, and the containment and procedural requirements to protect animal handlers and the environment.
Allergies to laboratory animals, as well as to latex gloves can be a significant occupational health concern for people regularly working with animals. These hazards will be dealt with in the Biosafety training program and in the Biosafety Certificate.
The UOIT Biosafety Program Manual describes the Biosafety Program requirements and the manual and application forms are available at:
Application for the Biosafety Certificate should be made at the same time as the submission of the Animal Utilization Protocol.
6.0RADIOISOTOPE PERMIT
Any work involving the use of radioisotopes or ionizing radiation requires a permit from the UOIT Radiation Safety Committee. If any work with animals involves ionizing radiation an application for a Radioisotope Permit should be made at the same time as the submission of the Animal Utilization Protocol.
The UOIT Radiation Safety Manual describes the Radiation Safety Program requirements and the manual and application forms are available at:
7.0OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
The health and safety of persons working in University facilities is governed by the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. Under that Act, the University has a general occupation health and safety policy and program to ensure that workers are informed of the hazards in the workplace and are given appropriate supervision, training and information to enable them to work safely.
Potential hazards are to be identified in the Animal Utilization Protocol. Reference should be made to the University Health and Safety Programs and Policies, particularly the Laboratory Safety Manual which can be found at:
The University Safety Officer can be contacted to assist in the identification and control of workplace hazards.
8.0TRAINING
All individuals working in laboratories at UOIT are required to take the following training before commencing work.
- General WHMIS training provided in the CD-ROM “WHMIS for Everyone” by the Education Safety Association of Ontario. This is available in the 3-day reserve section of the UOIT Library.
- Specific WHMIS training for laboratory workers – self study course with a written checkout. This is available through the supervisor.
Individuals working with animals require, in addition to this:
- Biosafety training for laboratory workers – self study course with a written checkout. This is available through the supervisor.
- Guelph University: Core A Module (Regulatory Training)
Other animal training would be specific to the animal species, for example:
- Guelph University: Fish Workshop (Animal Care User Training)
- Experimental Fish Module (online) UPEI (Animal Care User/Regulatory)
- University of Toronto (Animal Care User Training)
Contact the Compliance Officer for details.
Individuals working with ionizing radiation require, in addition:
- Radiation Safety Training approved by the UOIT Radiation Safety Committee
Additional hazard specific training may be specified by the University depending on the hazards identified in the work.
All training will normally be completed before a protocol is approved.
9.0REFERENCES
University Policies and Procedures
- UOIT Health and Safety Policy
- UOIT Health and Safety Programs
- UOIT Biosafety Manual
- UOIT Radiation Safety Manual
- UOIT Laboratory Safety Manual
Key CCAC Policies & Guidelines
- CCAC Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals
- CCASC Guidelines on the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing
- CCAC Guidelines for the procurement of animals used in science
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Policy on Compliance and Non-Compliance
- CCAC Policy Statement for: Senior Administrators Responsible for Animal Care & Use Programs, 2008
- CCAC policy statement on: terms of reference for animal care committees, 2006
- CCAC policy statement on: the importance of independent peer review of the scientific merit of animal based research projects, 2000
- CCAC guidelines on: institutional animal user training, 1999
- CCAC guidelines on: choosing an appropriate endpoint in experiments using animals for research, teaching and testing, 1998
- CCAC guidelines on: animal use protocol review, 1997
- CCAC policy statement on: ethics of animal investigation, 1989
Regulations under the Animals for Research Act
- Regulation 22 – General
- Regulation 23 – Pounds
- Regulation 24 – Research Facilities and Supply Facilities
- Regulation 25 - Transportation
Last Updated September 16th, 2009
Version 2.0