Staff

Highly qualified personnel with extensive experience in the field of animal experimentation and with a continuing programme of training that assures constant adaptation to scientific needs. The IRO Animal Facility hires personnel in each category defined by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (www.felasa.org) and all of them (including external cleaners) have been accredited by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia: Cleaners - external (2) Animal care (2) Experimenter (1) Researcher and vet (1) Animal wellbeing (1)

Facilities

The IRO Animal Facility unit has been designed following the advice of professionals from other centres with the aim of facilitating optimum performance.

In 2005 the work of adapting to AAALAC function and control requirements were begun. They have permitted improvements in the regulation of environmental conditions through a computer-controlled climate and light cycle, as well as an incident register and the achievement of the established protocols.

Health monitoring of animals and surfaces

In order to allow SPF conditions to be maintained, a health monitoring procedure has been drawn up that includes the health status of the animals: three-monthly health checks are conducted according to the recommendations of the FELASA (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Associations), as well as microbiological checks of the surfaces (immediate environment, walls, ceilings and air vents), checking for the absence, at problematic levels, of pathogenic microorganisms. Both controls are performed by external companies.

Standard Working Procedures

All the procedures carried out in the IRO Animal Facility are outlined in the corresponding PNT. The Operating Rules which define IRO-SE's activities, management structure and financial rules are available along with the Internal Regulations, where the rights, duties and guidelines for the users and personnel of the IRO Animal Facility are outlined.

This information is available to all users of the IRO Animal Facility on our webpage.

Health and safety of users and personnel

The IRO Animal Facility has developed, specifically for its sites, an Occupational Hazard Prevention Plan and an Emergency Plan. The Occupational Hazard Prevention Plan aims to guarantee the right of all personnel and users to effective protection with respect to health and safety, whilst the Emergency Plan aims to reduce to the minimum possible the human and/or economic consequences that might result from an emergency situation.

A seminar for all users and personnel of the IRO Animal Facility is held annually, with compulsory attendance. Its aims are to prevent occupational risks and promote health awareness.

Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments

In accordance with the application of Decree 214/1997, created by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, since 1998 the IRO has had an Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments (CEEA), which supervises and evaluates all the research methods that involve the use of animal experiments.