BRF Update November (2) 2020
We have a number of updates before the month is over, please read on.
Listing of UQBR technicians on AEC protocols to perform technical services
Please see attached correspondence from the Animal Welfare Unit advising that (subject to a number of conditions) individual UQBR technicians do not need to listed on AEC protocols if they are performing standard procedures (such as husbandry and common injection and sample collection procedures) and the relevant facility manager is listed on the protocol. This is a very positive change that will reduce the volume of paperwork/admin time spent currently managing keeping this up to date and I would like to thank the AWU and UQBR staff responsible for the ongoing work to implement this outcome.
Please bear in mind that technical services are still very much dependant on the availability of trained staff, so providing as much notice as possible, at least 1 month for new projects/procedures is strongly recommended. If the requested technique is not a standard procedure then the relevant UQBR staff will still need to be listed on the relevant AEC protocol.
Changes to work hours
Breeding coordinator – Kendall’s start and finish times are changing to 6:30am to 2:30pm temporarily due to operational requirements.
Senior Manager – my hours will be changing just for the next 3 weeks due to postgraduate study, I will be available briefly early in the mornings but otherwise unavailable most mornings until just after lunch.
If you encounter any issues at all in regards to these changes please let us know ASAP.
New team members
I would like to introduce the following people who have recently joined the TRI BRF:
Tash McGregor-Jones – Tash is currently primarily looking after the immunocompromised and clean colonies in 1002.
Sally Cameron – Sally is based in 1005, primarily looking after colonies that have been moved over from AIBN.
Gemma Smith – Gemma is also based in 1005, primarily looking after established colonies at TRI.
Sarah Speed – Sarah is working as a casual with the washup team.
Telischa Parfitt – Telischa is working with the gnotobiotics team 2 days per week whilst continuing her role at AIBN for the rest of the week.
These technicians along with the rest of the team have been doing a fantastic job in supporting the changes moving the colonies over to AIBN, adjusting to changes in work practices and workloads and taking the initiative to continuously work on improvements to our operations.
Inappropriate disposal of cytotoxic waste
The attached image is of a cytotoxic waste bag found in the hairnet bin in the main corridor near the airshowers on 13th Nov. If you happen to know anything further about how this may have occurred please let us know ASAP as this is a serious WHS issue – cytotoxic waste must be disposed of in the appropriate waste stream.
Training animals in Mosaic
Please note that excess healthy animals no longer required for breeding, requested for cull may be kept by the BRF team in case they are needed for training. There may often be a period where the animals are set aside waiting, and they may or may not be used for training. They will be kept on their original breeding ethics on Mosaic during this period, but can be identified in the ‘Allocated to’ field where it will say ‘Training, the strain and colony number’ – this notice is just so researchers are aware if they do see these animals still sitting on their breeding ethics after requesting a cull. If the animals do actually get used for training then their colony and ethics records will be updated to reflect this.
As always, please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or feedback.
