Version 5

Flinders University
Safe Work Method Statement
Sheep – Injection Techniques
21/05/19

College of
Medicine and
Public Health
Animal Facility

SWMS Number RA Number RA Score

SWMS- 5.1 RA – 5.1 Medium
Contact Person SWMS prepared by AWC Approval Date Review Date
Roxanne Collingwood Roxanne Collingwood 21/05/2019 May 2021

Contents
The SWMS Sheep – Injection Techniques contains the following sections:
o Legislation
 University Policy
 Local Policy
 Safe Work Method Statement
 Personal Protective Equipment Required
 Hazards and Controls
 Before Work Commences
 General Information
o Recommended Needle Sizes IV, IM, SC
o Subcutaneous Injection
o Intradermal Injection
o Intramuscular Injection
o Jugular Intravenous Injection

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Legislation
• Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Ed.
• Animal Welfare Act 1985.
• Animal Welfare Regulations 2012
• Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act)
• Gene Technology Regulations 2001
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012

University Policy
• Work Health and Safety Policy 2013
• Responsible Conduct of Research Policy 2016
• NHMRC Guidelines

Local Policy
Use of the College of Medicine and Public Health Animal Facilities by all staff and researchers of the
College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, is subject to awareness of, and
adherence to the following:

Research Involving Animals:

 The University holds a permit for the use of animals for teaching and research purposes. To
satisfy the requirements of the permit, anyone wishing to undertake teaching and research using
animals must submit a proposal to the Animal Ethics Review Sub- Committee. No work with
animals may commence until written approval has been received from the Animal Welfare
Committee. Standardised application forms for Research and Teaching can be found on the
Flinders University website listed below. It is your responsibility to regularly check this site for
updates to guidelines, forms etc
[Link]

 All staff and students involved in animal research must complete Animal Ethics Online
Training (AEOT) and must also regularly attend Animal Researcher Information Sessions
(ARIS).

Safe Work Method Statements

Refer to Risk assessments, Safe Work Method Statements for chemicals, processes and
plant equipment where appropriate. All projects must have an accompanying Risk
Assessment signed by the Animal Facility Manager
SWMS 5.0-Sheep Catching, Handling and Restraint
RA 5.0-Sheep Catching, Handling and Restraint

Personal Protective Equipment Required

• Protective clothing
• Closed toe shoes

Hazards and Controls

 Animal kicks- training, demonstrate competency, adhere to SWMS
 Animal Scratches- training, demonstrate competency, adhere to SWMS
 Needle Stick- DO NOT recap needles, dispose of in sharps containers
 Chemical exposure- wear PPE and goggles if necessary

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Before Work Commences

Ensure that you are aware of the locations of the following:
o Spill Kit
o Fire Extinguisher
o Eye Wash
o Exits

Risk Assessment and SDS (Safety Data Sheet) - Ensure that you have read and
understood for all the substances being used.

Equipment
o Check for safety and electrical compliance
o Ensure that you have read and understood the Risk Assessment and Safe
Work Method Statement obtain training before using any equipment

General Information
***IMPORTANT – Ensure all doors in the facility MUST be closed to prevent escape***
 All procedures are to be performed by trained competent staff.
 Training is available from senior animal house staff or Animal Welfare Officer.
 Evidence of training is available in the “Staff Training Needs Analysis”.

Recommended Needle Sizes IV, IM, SC

• Lamb less than 10kg = 21 gauge needle
• Lamb greater than 10kg and less than 20kg = 20 gauge needle
• Sheep greater than 20kg and less than 40kg = 19 gauge needle
• Sheep greater than 40kg = 18 gauge needle

Subcutaneous Injection
NOTE: Recommended maximum volume for injection must not exceed that stated in
the data sheet, and only be administered by the stated route(s).
• Anesthesia is not required. This technique requires two technicians; one to restrain the
sheep, the other performs the injection.
1. Using an appropriate size needle (see recommended needle sizes) and
syringe, draw up the required dose and expel any air bubbles.
2. The injections are usually made under the skin of the back and sides, or under
the skin overlying the neck.
3. Restrain the sheep using one of the methods described in SWMS 5.0.
4. Injections can be performed using the loose skin of the back, neck, sides, or in
the leg skin fold. Tent the skin over the shoulders between your thumb and
forefinger.
5. Insert the needle through the skin in an anterior (as shown) or posterior
direction at a shallow angle to the skin surface.

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6. Gently draw back on the plunger. If blood is not observed in the hub of the
needle, inject the desired dose.
7. Withdraw the needle. Briefly apply pressure to the needle entry site.

Sheep Restraint Injection into leg flap

Intradermal Injection
NOTE: Recommended maximum volume for injection must not exceed that stated in
the data sheet, and only be administered by the stated route(s).
• Anesthesia is not required. This technique requires two technicians; one to restrain the
sheep, the other performs the injection.
1. Using an appropriate size syringe and a 25-30 gauge needle, draw up the required
dose (maximum volume 0.5ml per site) and expel any air bubbles.
2. The injections are usually made under the skin of the back and sides, or under the
skin overlying the neck.
3. Restrain the sheep using the method in SWMS 5.0.

4. Injections can be performed using the loose skin of the back, neck, sides, or in the leg
skin fold.

5. Shave the fleece, and decontaminate the skin with Chlorhexidine Surgical Scrub.

6. With the bevel up, insert the needle 2-3mm almost horizontally to the surface of the
skin. Gently draw back on the plunger, if blood is not observed in the hub of the
needle, inject the desired dose. (NOTE: When injecting the substance, there will be
some resistance and result in a “bleb”).

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Intramuscular Injection
NOTE: Recommended maximum volume for injection must not exceed that stated in
the data sheet, and only be administered by the stated route(s).
• Anesthesia is not required. This technique requires two technicians; one to restrain the
sheep, the other performs the injection.
1. Using an appropriate size needle (see recommended needle sizes) and syringe, draw
up the required dose and expel any air bubbles.
2. An intramuscular injection is given into the muscles of the hind limb, either the biceps
femoris, or the quadriceps.
3. Palpate the muscle prior to injection. Place the needle anterior to the femur halfway
between the hip and the knee, and parallel to the femur.
4. Insert the needle slightly downward to enter the group of muscles, then parallel to the
femur to maintain the depth.
5. Gently draw back on the plunger, if blood is not observed in the hub of the needle,
inject the desired dose. Withdraw needle, apply pressure, and massage the site.
6. Care must be taken with small lambs not to inject too deeply, as it is possible to inject
the sciatic nerve which runs down behind the femur.

Jugular Intravenous Injection

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NOTE: Recommended maximum volume for injection must not exceed that stated in
the data sheet, and only be administered by the stated route(s). Maximum volume for
bolus IV injection is 60ml; volumes in excess of 20mls should be administered via an
intravenous infusion line.
• Anesthesia is not required. This technique requires two technicians; one to restrain the
sheep, the other performs the injection.
1. Using an appropriate size needle (see recommended needle sizes) and syringe, draw
up the required dose and expel any air bubbles.
2. Restrain the sheep using the method in SWMS 5.0.
3. Clip fleece from the side of the sheep’s neck to allowing the jugular to be identified.
4. Once the jugular is identified, insert the needle or catheter at approximately a 10º-20º
angle to the animal’s neck. Blood will be seen in the hub of the needle.
5. Gently draw back on the plunger, blood should flow freely into the syringe, inject the
desired dose. Withdraw needle, apply pressure to the puncture site until bleeding
ceases.

SWMS Review
This SWMS currently applies to the animals housed in the College of Medicine and Public
Health Animal Facility. This SWMS will be reviewed 3 yearly, but also updated more
frequently as policies, techniques and animal care requirements change.

Position Name Contact Details

Manager Animal Facility Roxanne Collingwood 8204 4380
[Link]@[Link]
Animal Welfare Officer Lewis Vaughan 0450 424 143
awo@[Link]

Useful References
[Link]

[Link]

[Link]
ethics_home.cfm

Any questions regarding the above guidelines and any technical advice/ assistance required
can be directed to Animal Facility Manager.

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