Work in grey and black zone

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Zone definitions at the department of Biomedicine (IBM)

Grey zone Laboratory areas where experiments involving individual animals are conducted.
Black zone Animal facility for housing laboratory animals, including laboratories for working with animal groups in long-term studies.
White Zone Laboratories without animal work, as well as office spaces.

Gray and Black Zones

Experiments in the animal facility and the gray zone are closely connected, and employees often work in both areas. Activities in the gray zone fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Biomedicine’s and require appropriate approvals (e.g., for GMO animals). However, the animal facility is managed by the Department of Clinical Medicine 1. Be aware of this transition between institutional jurisdiction and follow the respective protocols. Project leaders must register GMO projects for both locations if animal experiments are conducted also in the gray zone.

Access for IBM Employees

Access to the gray zone is controlled and requires authorization. Fellesavdelingen grants access as needed. Entry to both the gray and black zones is through the air shower on the 7th floor. Equipment may be transported through the door by an arrangement with Fellesavdelingen.

A separate authorization is required to work at the black zone. This can be obtained by contacting the animal facility (Joanna Stormark, ext. 86315) and Fellesvadelingen. The access process includes a tour and an introduction to the rules/responsibilities of the animal facility. For clothing and procedures in the black zone, refer to the animal facility’s HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) pages.

Sluice Room Procedures

Collect clean work clothes, shoes, and shoe covers for use in the gray and black zones from the sluice room.

  • The sluice has changing rooms and showers. Everyone is responsible for keeping these areas tidy. Lockers are available for storing clothes—label them with your name and year.
  • The sluice is not a cloakroom for outerwear, bags, etc. These should be stored in the changing rooms on the 1st floor.
  • Footwear must be hung on hooks, not placed on the floor.
  • Before and after entering in the gray or black zones, everyone must pass through the air shower and wash their hands with soap and water before entering the white zone.
  • Work clothes used with animals must be placed in designated laundry bins in the sluice.

Proper routines are essential not only to prevent allergens but also to avoid the spread of infections and unwanted microorganisms, which can compromise both health and research results. A stable microbial environment is crucial for minimizing variability in experimental outcomes.

Dress Code

Gray Zone:

  • White lab coats are not permitted.
  • Use yellow or blue back-buttoned gowns.
  • Wear dedicated work shoes or shoe covers.
  • Do not wear perfume.
  • Gowns should be laundered weekly or as needed.

Black Zone:

  • Full change into dedicated working clothes is required.
  • Clothes must be placed in the laundry basket daily.
  • Refer to the animal facility’s HSE manual for details.

Our shared goal is to minimize allergen transfer to the white zone and home. Poor hygiene and disorder can expose non-animal-handling staff to animal allergens, worsening conditions for those with allergies.

  • To prevent cross-contamination, wear a back-buttoned gown and dedicated shoes or covers in the gray zone.
  • For extended stays in the gray zone, a full change into scrubs is recommended.
  • If not changing fully, wear a gown or equivalent workwear at all times, including during technical maintenance.

All personnel must wear protective masks (minimum P2 filter), gloves, and gowns during animal experiments. It is especially important that new staff, students, and PhD candidates receive thorough training and adopt good routines from day one.

  • When leaving the gray zone, hang gowns on the labeled hooks near the lab door or sluice entrance.
  • Gowns used for animal work, radioactive materials, or other contaminated tasks must be sent to laundry or hung outside the lab.
  • Gowns for laundry should be turned inside out, rolled up, and placed in the laundry basket.
  • Change gowns weekly or more often as needed. All working clothes must be laundered at the end of the week.

Working with Experimental Animals

  • Anesthetized animals must never be left unattended.
  • All animal-contaminated waste must be disposed of in problematic waste bins.
  • Carcasses must be placed in yellow bins in the freezer in the black zone after experiments.
  • Do not wear perfume in the gray or black zones—it affects animal behavior.

Animal work must be conducted in the gray zone (Department of Biomedicine) or the black zone on the 7th floor (Department of Clinical Medicine 1). “Work with experimental animals” includes all direct handling and any activity in rooms where such work occurs.

All personnel involved in animal experiments must participate in UiB’s health monitoring program

In the event of an emergency (e.g. fire alarm) during surgery, animals should be euthanized if possible before evacuating. Animal cages must be kept in fume hoods or transport cages with exhaust systems. Laboratory doors in the gray zone must remain closed at all times, even when no experiments are ongoing. Workspaces must be cleaned thoroughly after each experiment, daily. All animal-contaminated materials must be disposed of in waste bags, sealed, and placed in problematic waste.

  • All biological waste goes into yellow bins in the black zone freezer.
  • Clothes used during animal work must be turned inside out, rolled up, and placed in the laundry basket.
  • Disposable items (e.g. shoe covers) must be discarded in the designated bin in the sluice.
  • Always wash thoroughly after working in the gray zone.

Health Hazards in Animal Experimentation

Allergies

Allergens from laboratory animals originate from their urine, saliva, and skin cells. To protect yourself, it is essential to use proper protective equipment, prevent the spread of allergens, and participate in UiB’s health monitoring program. To develope allergies to laboratory animals is a significant concern and must be prevented as much as possible. The goal is to minimize airborne allergens, which require good organization and cleanliness in the laboratories. Air showers, changing shoes and clothing are basic measures to prevent contamination of the "clean" zones. Preventing allergies is crucial. Protective gear such as gloves and particle-filter masks (minimum P2) must be used. Individuals with known allergies or asthma should not work with lab animals. The risk of allergy must be taken seriously, even for those who only occasionally visit the facility. All university employees working with animals must consult the Occupational Health Service (BHT) before starting. They are monitored through a specific program, which includes blood tests to detect antibodies against lab animals. Several measures are in place to prevent allergy symptoms. More about allergens on here

Gases

Gas anesthesia poses a health risk, requiring proper use of equipment, and knowledge is essential. more information

Animal Bites

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Animal bites often cause wounds and tissue damage and may lead to infections, which can appear up to a week later. Bites typically affect the hands. Treatment as follows:

  • Clean the wound with antiseptic or soap and water, then rinse thoroughly with saline.
  • If the injury is severe, consult a doctor to assess damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves.
  • A tetanus shot may be needed if the last dose was over five years ago or if the person is not fully vaccinated.
  • Preventive antibiotics are generally not recommended unless the injury is severe.
  • Contact a doctor if fever, malaise, or signs of local infection (redness, tenderness, swelling) occur within a week.

Report all animal bites as HSE incidents via UiBHjelp. For treatment or testing, refer to internal SOP: File:SOP EN-all.pdf .

Cleaning, Order, Washing, and Waste

To mantain the order in the gray zone, all personnel help to ensure that laboratories are clean and tidy:

  • Return empty cages to the black zone promptly.
  • Animal carcasses and biological waste must be bagged and placed in yellow bins in the black zone freezer.
  • Dead animals and radioactive biological waste must go into a black container with a corresponding form. Contact the radiation safety officer if bins are full. Radioactive waste is stored for decay in the cold room between zones and calculated by dose and weight.
  • All contaminated materials must be bagged and placed in yellow bins after experiments.
  • Used needles and scalpel blades go into special plastic containers, then into problematic waste bins.
  • All equipment must be cleaned and returned after use.
  • Keep cabinet doors closed and minimize open shelving. Benches must be cleaned thoroughly.
  • Gowns used during animal work must be turned inside out and placed in the laundry bin. Work clothes must be changed at least weekly or more often if needed.
  • Disposable shoe covers go in the designated waste bin.
  • Gray zone labs undergo deep cleaning once a year.

Violations of these rules may result in restricted lab access, enforced via keycard limitations.

Additional Information

Transport Between Gray and Black Zones (Animal Facility)

Animal transport to and from the black zone must be done in IVC cages or cages with filter tops. Experiments should be planned to minimize animal movement between zones.

Equipment such as anesthesia machines should not be moved between zones or departments. Exceptions include small hand-held tools that can be easily cleaned and disinfected.

Housing animals in the gray zone is not permitted.

Refer to the animal facility’s HSE manual for detailed transport procedures: Link

Use and Maintenance of Gas Anesthesia Equipment at UiB

All users must be trained by certified personnel. For questions, contact Fellesavdelingen. See more information: Link

All anesthesia machines must have a unique ID and be clearly labeled. All testing and maintenance must be logged.

Pre-Use Checks

Visual Inspection: Check for cracks, holes in hoses, connectors, and valves. Replace any damaged parts.

Leak Test: Follow manufacturer instructions for leak testing. Instructions and necessary tools are available near the equipment.

Maintenance

  • Maintenance and service logs must be kept for all machines.
  • Each machine must have a manual, leak test guide, owner information, and contact details for reporting issues.
  • Never borrow parts from other machines.
  • Spare parts (hoses, connectors) must be available. Hoses have a limited lifespan and should be included in the maintenance plan.

Responsible person ensures users are properly trained. Equipment owners must ensure manuals are available and training is provided.

Each user is responsible for testing equipment before use and reporting issues to Fellesavdelingen or via email: fellesavdelingen@biomed.uib.no

Additional Measures

  • Conduct real exposure measurements as part of internal controls.
  • Evaluate and improve training programs.
  • Maintain logbooks and clear labeling for each machine.
  • For periodic technical inspections, contact Fellesavdelingen.

Gas Anesthesia Policy

  • Pregnant individuals—or those planning pregnancy—must not work with gas anesthesia.
  • Be especially cautious when using nitrous oxide.
  • Always work under a fume hood or with local exhaust ventilation.

Gas Leak Detector

To detect leaks in equipment, hoses, and connectors, a gas leak detector (halogen "sniffer") is used. Two detectors are available on the 7th floor:

  • Gray Zone: Contact Trude to borrow the sniffer.
  • Black Zone: Located in the laboratory/climate room 7C111aY.

Additional information

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General Safety Information

  • Lighting: Be aware that lights are on a timer and may be turned off between 17:00 and 08:00.
  • Fire Alarm: Audible voice message + ringing sound. Read the fire safety section carefully. Emergency exits are marked on floor plans posted on each floor. Familiarize yourself with the nearest exit routes and the designated assembly point. Contact the area supervisor for a walkthrough of the evacuation routes.
  • Gas Alarm: Some rooms are equipped with gas detectors that emit a pulsing beep in case of an alarm. Report gas alarms to the Operations Department (BBB) at 55 58 62 50.
  • Access Control: All personnel receive a personal access code with their keycard. Do not allow unknown individuals to enter. Children and unauthorized colleagues are not permitted in the gray or black zones. Report any malfunctioning door mechanisms immediately via the LYDIA system.
  • Flammable Materials: Must be clearly labeled and stored in fire-safe containers. Do not bring flammable substances or gases into the building without prior approval from the fire safety officer. Emergency showers are located in the corridors.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Emergency 113
Leader for BB-building: 55 58 62 50
Supervisor, Haukeland Hospital: 55 97 20 04
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