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SECTION
D4: ANIMAL WORKER OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM
Introduction
When research involves exposure to and handling of animals, there are
considerations that must be given to the potential allergens, zoonoses,
and physical hazards, e.g. bites and scratches, that may be encountered
by researchers and staff. Consensus guidelines recommend and the U.S.
Public Health Service policy requires that proper training and medical
surveillance be provided for those working with research animals. The
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
International (AAALAC) through which the University has received accreditation
also looks favorably upon having an effective program for health and
safety of animal workers. The Animal Worker Occupational Health and
Safety Program provides web-based training, medical review and follow-up
for health issues related to animal exposure.
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Scope and Application
Prior to beginning work with animals, all staff, faculty and students
who have direct contact with animals are enrolled in the Occupational
Health and Safety Program.
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Procedure
Enrollment in the Program is initiated by the worker completing the
web-based training, Health
and Safety for Animal Workers. Successful completion of the web
training will be automatically recorded in the training data base. The
training concludes by directing the worker to complete the necessary
forms and medical review. The web training and medical review must be
completed before the worker is provided access to the animal facility.
The medical review includes:
- Review of applicable medical history.
- Physical examination, if indicated, to include condition of skin
(rashes or psoriasis)
- Update of tetanus/diphtheria immunization, as needed.
- Discussion of risk factors associated with animal contact, including
potential zoonotic agents, allergens, wound care, and potential hazards
of field studies.
- Discussion of the health risk associated with compromised immune
system (i.e. cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, steroid use, immunosuppressive
drugs after organ transplant).
- TB screening (initially and annually) and proof of measles vaccine
or confirmed immunity for primate workers (substitute chest X-ray
for persons who have BCG vaccine or history of a positive PPD test).
Personnel also receive instruction by the Campus Veterinarian in biomethodology
and safe handling techniques for those animals with which they will
have contact.
For work with hazardous chemicals in animal research, refer to Section 7M of the Laboratory Safety Manual: Work with Hazardous Chemicals in Animal Protocols.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Principal Investigator
- Advise new animal workers of the Occupational Health and Safety
Program.
- Enroll in the Program by completing the web training and medical
review.
- Ensure that new animal workers in the lab complete Program enrollment
with web training and medical review.
Employee Health
- Provide medical review for animal workers including review of completed
Health History Form and Personnel Information Form.
- Initiate annual update questionnaire to continuing animal workers.
- Forward to EHS a copy of the completed Personnel Information Form.
EHS
- Maintain Personnel Information Form for each worker in the Program.
- Include the worker in the training data base for animal workers.
Individual
Prior to work with animals:
- Complete the web training and required forms for medical review.
- Make appointment with Employee Health for medical review and complete
visit with Employee Health.
- Return the signed Personnel Information Form to
the manager of Laboratory Animal Resources in Psychology, or in Molecular Biology,
or to Mary Guimond in EEB, as appropriate.
- Complete the orientation process with the animal laboratory manager.
After beginning work with research animals, you are required to
- Complete annually the update questionnaire provided from Employee
Health.
- Schedule annually an appointment with Employee Health if you are
an animal caretaker or handle non-human primates.
- Contact Employee Health at any time for medical review and consultation
if you become injured, feel you are developing an allergy, are planning
a pregnancy, or develop health concerns related to your research animal
exposure.
- Carefully follow procedures necessary for safe work with animals.
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For More Information
Contact EHS at 8-5294; Employee Health at 8-5035; Campus Veterinarian
at 8-6246.
An Animal Facility Self-Audit Checklist is available through EHS or may
be downloaded either as a PDF
or a customizable Word document.
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