Policy on Maintenance of Guillotines, Scissors and Shears

This policy is applicable to all vertebrate animal activities conducted under the auspices of the University of Michigan (U-M) and applies to all locations under the purview of the U-M IACUC.

Principal Investigators (PIs) are required to maintain blades (e.g., guillotines, scissors, or shears), used for euthanasia via decapitation, in clean and good working order to ensure a humane method of euthanasia in accordance with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.

PIs must have blades sharpened, replaced, or evaluated at least annually or more frequently as needed, based on use and condition, to ensure the following criteria are consistently met:

1. Blades must be free of rust, visible nicks, or other damage to the cutting edge and have no perceptible resistance that would prevent smooth operation, and
2. Blades must always be able to decapitate rapidly to ensure death with minimal pain and distress.

If the above criteria are not met, blades must not be used until serviced or replaced and confirmed to be in good working order.

PIs are required to establish a mechanism (e.g., a service log or “date of last service” tag) to document that the service/replacement/evaluation was conducted.

Blades not in current use must be clearly marked (e.g., “not in use” or “do not use”).

The provisions of this policy are under the direction and oversight of the U-M’s IACUC. The IACUC will, if necessary, suspend research or implement sanctions if policy infractions should occur.