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| Program of Occupational Health and Safety
for
Persons with Animal Exposure (Risk Assessed) |
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The occupational health and safety program for personnel who work in laboratory animal facilities or have frequent contact with animals is:
1. Occupational Health and Safety Program: Personnel in selected job categories are required to have a health review administered by Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) staff prior to beginning the activities of the job. In addition, Duke University requires that many of these job categories have periodic occupational health updates administered by EOHW. Personnel who handle animals as part of their work activities fall under these requirements. The EOHW program at Duke University is administered by George Jackson, M.D., Director, and managed and monitored by Carol Epling, M.D., and Teresa Weddle, R.N. Placement and surveillance activities are administered based on the specific risks of the job. All work related injuries/illnesses are cared for and managed by EOHW staff. Injuries occurring after hours or that are emergent are initially cared for by Duke University Emergency Department (ED) and followed up by EOHW staff. Occupational health physicians are on-call to the ED staff and DLAR management. Written protocols specific to certain animal handler injuries/illnesses, e.g., exposure to Herpesvirus Simiae, are managed by EOHW and provided to the Emergency Department Physicians.
2. Educational Programs: Information on personal hygiene, zoonosis, and occupational health are prepared jointly by EOHW and the DLAR veterinary staff. Official memoranda, seminars, supervisory instruction, and posted notices are used to impart this information to animal handlers.
3. Aspects that Apply to Personnel Potentially Exposed to Hazardous Agents: The procedure for the medical care of animal handlers inadvertently exposed to hazardous materials is determined by the EOHW. The primary responsibility for the detection and monitoring of hazardous agents is assigned to Duke University Occupational and Environmental Safety Office. This office reviews the use of such agents in animal care and use protocols and approves/requires specific safety measures for personnel working with this study.
4. Protective Equipment/Clothing Provided: Animal handlers are issued work clothes including pants, shirts, blouses, coveralls, and work shoes. Veterinary staff and technical staff are provided with scrub suits and lab coats. Goggles, safety glasses, and eye wash bottles are provided for eye protection. Disposable latex rubber exam gloves, surgical masks, lab coats, and disposable shoe covers are available as needed. Ear muffles are available in selective areas for ear protection.
5. Vaccinations or Tests Given to Personnel who are Animal Handlers
Required activities include:
-Tetanus/diphtheria immunity; update every 10 years
-IPPD:; yearly for primate handlers
-Rabies primary vaccine series and booster for selected high-risk personnel
-Initial/Periodic surveillance: Q Fever Questionnaire for those working with sheep, cows, goats,
or tissues of these animals
-Documentation of measles immunity for primate handlers |
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UNIVERSITY
AND MEDICAL CENTER
