Occupational Health and Safety Program for Animal Workers

In accordance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which requires awardee institutions to establish an Occupational Health and Safety Program for all personnel who work in laboratory animal facilities or have contact with animals, NIU has established the following policy with which all personnel who work around live vertebrate animals should be familiar.

This Occupational Health and Safety Program for Animal Workers is administered by the Office of Research Compliance, Integrity, and Safety (ORCIS) under the guidance of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Who Should Participate?

The program covers all personnel involved in live vertebrate animal care and use at Northern Illinois University. Participation in this program is mandatory. This includes, but is not limited to NIU students and employees, full or part-time.

How to Participate

Activities with live vertebrate animals have been divided into general categories of risk. However, a particular activity may change its risk category based on information provided. The Laboratory Safety Manager and Attending Veterinarian, in consultation with the IACUC, will make the final determination for each protocol’s hazard level. The chart below provides a general guide to activities likely to fall into each hazard level. See Appendix A: Process Flow Chart for more specific information on the process. Appendix B: Risk Assessment Form is an example of the information that is documented. The form information will be stored in the protocol record in InfoEd.

Hazard Levels

At the low hazard level:

• ORCIS will provide the PI with protocol specific information on potential hazards and protective measures available to participants.
• The PI is required to:
  • Distribute the information regarding hazards and protective measures to participants prior to contact with the animals, through recorded lecture and/or written documents.
  • Review the provided hazard-specific information with all participants.
  • Document that the information has been provided to all participants (with provided sign-in form) and submit this documentation to the Laboratory Safety Manager, ORCIS.

At the moderate hazard level, in addition to the actions listed above:

• Participants will complete a Health Questionnaire. See Appendix C for an example of the Health Questionnaire. If the participant chooses to go to Physicians Immediate Care, they must obtain a medical authorization from the Lab Safety Manager to cover the charges. Alternatively, the participant can go to their own preferred licensed health care provider. Costs will not be covered by NIU in this instance. The healthcare provider will perform a physical (if necessary) and review the information on the form with the participant. The healthcare provider will evaluate each participant and make a Health Assessment that will include one of the following:
  • The individual can work with no restrictions.
  • The individual can work with the specific restrictions.
  • The individual should not participate. Further follow-up requested.

At the high hazard level, in addition to the actions listed above:

• The healthcare provider will also receive the potential hazards and will have the opportunity to provide input.

Regardless of the risk level designated by the IACUC, any person involved with the care and use of animals through an NIU-associated teaching, research, or training activity may request consultation with Physicians Immediate Care or a preferred licensed health care provider at any time by contacting the Laboratory Safety Manager.

To ensure confidentiality and comply with all federal and state regulations, all medical information provided will be given directly to the health care provider without review by NIU .

Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are strongly suggested for all participants. Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) in the past 10 years, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and an annual flu shot.

Testing

Participants in all protocols involving nonhuman primates (regardless of hazard level) will be required to have an annual tuberculosis (TB) skin test. A waiver is given only after consultation with the Occupational Health Specialist.

Special Precautions for Pregnancy, Illness, Immune Suppression

Any condition which may put the worker at additional risk such as pregnancy, illness or compromised immunity should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Information about the type of work performed and the animals in use should be shared with the healthcare provider. Any suggested accommodations should be forwarded to the supervisor/principal investigator for implementation, or alternatively, participants may complete a Health Questionnaire form and submit it to the healthcare provider.

Hazard and Risk Identification and Assessment

Hazard and risk assessment will be conducted annually for the animal facility staff in Montgomery Hall and Psychology. Hazard and risk assessment for each protocol will be done in cooperation with the PI. All PIs are responsible for informing new personnel about the hazard/risk assessment level of a protocol to which they are assigned and providing them with the appropriate materials relevant to hazard/risk level. Please contact ORCIS for the most recent assessment information and Hazard Analysis Form.

Access by Housekeeping, Maintenance, or Other Non-Animal Care and Use Personnel

In situations where housekeeping, maintenance, or other non-animal care and use personnel must access the animal rooms, they are briefed on appropriate precautions, provided any appropriate PPE, and permitted in the area for a limited amount of time. A member of the animal care staff will be available for escort if needed. If there is extensive or prolonged work to be done, the animals will be removed prior to the individuals being allowed into the room.

Reporting and Treating Injuries

Accident/Incident Report

In the event of an illness or injury, supervisors and/or the principal investigator will complete the online NIU accident/incident report. It will be routed to Laboratory Safety (ORCIS). The report includes the name of the injured person, his/her contact information, status (student, faculty, staff, or visitor), a description of the accident/incident, the response and medical treatment, if any, and any follow up or corrective action. If the incident also involves a Workman’s Compensation issue, the Human Resource Services office should also be notified so the proper documentation is completed.

Obtaining Medical Treatment

In the event of bites, scratches, illness or injury, supervisors and/or the principal investigator should be notified. In the case of a minor injury, Physicians Immediate Care is available Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Emergency Room is available 24 hours daily. In the event of a serious injury, medical assistance should be sought immediately. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911. Depending on employment status, circumstances associated with the injury, and insurance coverage, employees may be responsible for costs of care. Patients should not be taken to University Health Services for medical emergencies.

References

• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, commission of Life Sciences, National Research Council, National Academy Press, 2011.
• Occupational Health and Safety in the care and Use of Research Animals, Committee on Occupational Safety and Health in Research Animal Facilities, National Research Council, National Academy Press, 1997.

Annual Review

The IACUC will review and revise this procedure on an annual basis to reflect operational and procedural changes internal to the University as well as changes to applicable rules, regulations, and consensus standards.