OHS026
Safe Work Procedure
Faculty/Division
Medicine
Document number
TBA
School/ Divisional Unit
Prince of Wales Clinical School
Initial Issue date
6.5.13
Current version
3
Current Version
Issue date
6.5.13
Next review date
6.5.16
The Writing Safe Work Procedures Guideline (OHS027) should be consulted to assist in the completion of this
form.
Safe Work Procedure Title and basic description
Title: Handling toxic compounds and treated animals: colchicine for treatment of rodents
Description:
Associated risk assessment title and location: 19_RA_colchicine
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Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 30.3.2011
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Describe the activity or process
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Colchicine is used therapeutically in man to treat gout at 0.5 to 1 mg per dose. Rats will receive
up to ~ 5 mg in total. The concentrated substance is toxic to blood, kidneys, lungs, the nervous
system, the reproductive system, liver, and mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged
exposure to the substance can produce target organ damage. Repeated exposure of the eyes
to a low level of dust can produce eye irritation. Repeated skin exposure can produce local skin
destruction, or dermatitis.
Wastes including faeces and urine from exposed animals must be handled with caution. The
experimental operator must wear personal protective equipment (impermeable disposable lab
gown or laboratory gowns with disposable sleeves, gloves (nitrile or double latex gloving)) when
handling these compounds, injecting/gavaging animals and handling wastes from animals
exposed to this substance.
It is rapidly metabolized and sequestered in tissues [it binds tubulin], so that concentrations in
urine and faeces in exposed animals are likely to be small.
Storage of colchicine
1. To be stored RT in designated locked room
2. MSDS to be available
preparation
1. Is to occur in fume hood.
2. PPE is to be worn, spill kits are to be available, waste and sharps containers must be available to contain waste.
3. Prepare labels for syringes for gavage Ensure volume to be drawn is appropriate for the animal/weight.
4. Transfer to the inside container and place within the transport container. Samples should be prepared for
immediate transport to and use within the animal handling facility.
gavage into animals.
1. PPE is to be worn.
2. Ensure waste and sharps container, spill kit, cages, restraining hoods, alcohol wipes, prepared syringes and
spare PPE, are within easy reach.
3. Work within dedicated area and limiting access to required personnel only.
4. Hold rats [1 person] and insert gavage tube [2nd person]
5. Any animals inadvertently contaminated should be washed, aiming to minimize aerosol
6. Replace rats into cages marked “Receiving toxic Drug Therapy”
7. Alternatively, train rats to drink from syringe barrels containing up to 1ml 10% sucrose in water for at least 3x
prior to allowing rats to drink from syringe barrels containing up to 1ml 10% sucrose in water containing an
appropriate amount of colchicine.
Handling animal wastes from exposed animals.
i)
Animal cages and door labels are to be marked “Receiving toxic Drug Therapy”.
ii)
MSDS should be available.
iii)
Standard and metabolic cages are to be kept in dedicated area, including during bedding
changes. During this period PPE should be worn and traffic into this area should be minimized.
iv)
Animal waste is to be treated as toxic for one week following colchicine. Bedding should be
discarded minimum one week following the date of injection.
v)
At all times urine faeces, vomitus and runoff from washing can be placed into standard sewerage. If this
is not feasible, waste generated in the first week following injection can be placed into biological waste
bags and marked for appropriate disposal. Exposed equipment should be washed immediately using
strong alkaline detergent with pH>10 and PPE worn.
vi)
Animals euthanased within one week of injection are to be double bagged (and placed in bunting
container for freezing. Review and caging of animals after hours and weekends poses dangers
from isolation. These relate to fire and other emergencies and provision of first aid in the event
of scratches or bites, etc. Investigators must not participate in unauthorised activities.
Cleaning of plastic metabolic cages
i)
PPE is to be worn. Standard washing gloves can be worn over nitrile or double latex gloves if
desired.
ii)
Cages should be washed before each subsequent experimental sample.
iii)
Deconstruct cages to allow each component to be cleaned effectively.
iv)
Wash in copious warm water, using dedicated nylon brush or scourer to remove stubborn debris
(eg faeces), then rinse in copious warm water debris. Note prolonged exposure to hot water will
warp plastics. Plastic components of metabolic cages should not be autoclaved.
v)
Allow metabolic cage components to completely air dry on dedicated and marked racks, in
dedicated area before next use.
vi)
Rinse sink in copious warm water.
vii)
When metabolic cages completely dry they can be reconstructed for use.
viii)
Before removing freezer cubes from dedicated area, experimenters should don new, clean PPE.
Freezer cubes should be then immediately wiped with new, clean disposable toweling to remove
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condensate before transfer to freezer.___________
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Collecting
samples
i)
standard PPE should be worn
Date Effective: 30.3.2011
Current Version: 1
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List all resources required including plant,
chemicals, personal protective clothing and
equipment, etc
Personal Protective Equiment (PPE)

i) impermeable disposable long sleeve gown or ii) long sleeve laboratory gowns with disposable sleeves to
prevent spill contamination (suitable if working in biological safety cabinet,

safety goggles

mask (P2 type), disposable

gloves (nitrile or double latex glove)

booties (in cytotoxic spill kit if unconstrained spill)
toxic spill kit
i)
for transport and handling
ii)
at animal handling facility
includes












gown
overboots (booties)
mask
eyewear
hairnet
gloves x 4
signs
pads/ cloths
alginate bag
water and neutral detergent
scoop/scraper
cytotoxic waste bags
Transport container (labeled outer container enclosing inner container)
toxic waste disposal bag
Reagents and equipment:
administration

prepared colchicine filled syringes (1mg/mL) and needles/lines for gavage

alcohol wipes

toxic waste bag and sharps container
Cleaning of animal facilities
Purpose dedicated equipment
Detergent: pH>10
Cleaning of Metabolic cages
Purpose dedicated washing gloves, brush, and drying racks
Spill management
Spillage of colchicine or wastes form exposed animals should be regarded as toxic spills. The toxic spill kit should be
employed using contained PPE. If a mop is required to complete clean-up a disposable head should be employed and
disposed into toxic waste bags.
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Date Effective: 30.3.2011
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List potential hazards and risk controls including
specific precautions required
Safe storage of colchicine.
Appropriate area and signage

Spill of colchicine or wastes from exposed animals
Eye contact: immediately flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
Skin contact: wash with soap and water. SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
Ingestion: do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel
This should go on door/wall
List emergency shutdown instructions
Chemical spill


During transport: or animal handling facility Employ toxic kit as above.
Within laboratory: inform laboratory supervisor and subsequently employ spill management
procedures
List clean up and waste disposal requirements



% ? Ethanol and wipe-down all used surfaces.
All disposables in contact with colchicine or waste products (i.e. pipette tips, pipettes, plates, eppendorfs,
kimwipes, etc.) must be disposed of in biological waste containment.
Animal Handling Facility Safe Work Practices apply. Wash hands before leaving the animal handling facility
facility.
List legislation, standards and codes of practice used
in the development of the SWP
(Input welcomed)
NSW OHS Act 2000
NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Australia Dangerous Goods Code
Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 1336:1997 Recommended Practices for Occupational Eye Protection
UNSW Laboratory Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure (OHS321)
Safe Work Procedure Form (OHS026)
Handling Cytotoxic Drugs and Related Waste: NSW Standard Operating Procedures: Draft December 2006
Additional Reference
(1) Cone NV et al; National Body-Burden Database Chemicals Identified in Human Biological Media, USEPA-560/584-003, Vol 7 Part 1 NTIS DE 86004687, Springfield, VA (1986)] **PEER REVIEWED**
Supervisory approval, training, and review
Supervisor: P Peake
Signature:
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Plant custodian:
Signature
List competency required – qualifications, certificates, licencing, training - eg course or instruction:
Training as per Training Needs Analysis, Induction to Lab, Training on this SWP
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Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 30.3.2011
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