Share thisMoving a work operation ranks very high most peoples’ lists of anxiety-producing activities. If your work takes place in a research lab, the requirements are even more exacting. And if the laboratory building houses research animals, well, we may just be talking about one of the most sensitive moves of all.
Ideally, workplace moves are transparent to the worker. They pack up one day, arrive the next day at their destination and unpack, then get back to work. If you are a lab animal facility researcher, three months into a six-month project that involves 2000 rats, your move becomes a bit more complex.
This article examines the special considerations that apply to moving a lab animal facility. At least three special challenges distinguish lab animal facility moves from a typical workplace move: movement of specialized equipment, regulatory requirements governing animal and public welfare, and the need to preserve the integrity of your research. For each of these challenges, advance planning and getting the right kind of help are the keys to success.
Moving Equipment
The modern lab animal facility is host to a vast array of equipment, tools, cages, and monitoring systems which often require highly specialized knowledge or qualifications to move. As an early step, make sure your equipment inventory is complete and up to date. If you do no have an inventory, create one. For the purposes of moving, each item should be characterized with the following information:
- Description
- Manufacturer
- Manufacturer’s Serial Number
- Description of any service contract or warranty
- Dimensions • Owner (i.e. the laboratory scientist or technician who is responsible for ensuring the equipment is operational)
- Requirements for closing calibration, powering down, disconnection, reconnection, powering up, and opening calibration at the new site.
- Special packing and moving requirements, including dimensions of the crated equipment
- Internal Identification Number