Recordkeeping is an essential aspect of a training program. Training records should reflect the date of the training, the instructor’s name, names of attendees (documented with their initials), the location of the training, duration of training, broad topics, subtopics, learning objectives, course content, and a list of handout materials. Organizations such as AAALAC International and IACUCs may request review of training records during site visits and inspections. Some training records are required to be retained for specified durations to satisfy federal and state environmental health and safety regulations. Animals experimentally infected with HIV or HBV are included under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) in the category of “other potentially infectious materials.” For training that is conducted to satisfy compliance with this standard, OSHA requires training records to be retained for 3 years. State OHS offices and regional OSHA representatives have information on specific requirements that may affect a facility. The institutional official is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of training records.

The head of the environmental health and safety office will usually strive to establish a simple system that presents the smallest administrative burden. A computer-based system should facilitate such an approach (NRC 1997).