What are some safety guidelines to follow when working with small animals?

Answer 1

The following are some general guidelines to follow for safety in the workplace or school lab:
(a) Always wear protective clothing and equipment when the job requires it.
(b) Always wash protective clothing and equipment after use to prevent contamination.
(c) Wash hands and face after completing a job, to make sure all chemical residue is removed.
(d) If required, shower after completing a job so that chemical residue is completely removed from the body.
(e) Wash hands frequently while working with animals, especially if working with different species and in
different areas. This prevents contamination to other animals and also prevents self-contamination.
(f) Keep hands away from the mouth, eyes, and face when working with chemicals and animals, to prevent
self-contamination.
(g) Do not consume food or drinks in areas where contamination could occur, and do not store these items
in areas where contamination could occur.
(h) Remove uniforms, lab coats, and coveralls when leaving an area that could be contaminated.
(i) Never wash uniforms lab coats, or coveralls with regular clothing.
(j) Make sure all containers are correctly labeled to prevent misuse of chemicals.
(k) Dispose of all chemicals and their containers according to proper procedure or instructions on the labels.
(l) Students and small animal workers should be instructed in the proper methods of handling small
animals.
(m) First-aid kits should be kept in the work area or instructional area, and workers and students should be
made aware of the location of first-aid kits.