Health and Safety Policy

The occupational health and safety program for personnel who work in laboratory animal facilities or have frequent contact with animals is:

Scope

An occupational health program is mandatory for personnel who work in laboratory animal facilities. The following applies to all animal technical staff, PI's, students, research technicians, student assistants, and all other personnel who have substantial contact with animals.

Personal Hygiene

All personnel are required to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness. Clothing suitable for use in the animal facility and laboratories are supplied to and laundered for the animal care personnel. Personnel are instructed to wash their hands and change clothing as often as necessary to maintain personal hygiene. Outer garments worn in the animal facility are not to be worn outside of the animal facility. Personnel are not permitted to eat, drink, use tobacco products, or apply cosmetics in animal rooms.

Handling Hazardous Agents

The potential hazards, such as animal bites, chemical cleaning agents, allergens, and zoonotic diseases, that are associated in dealing with animal use, are identified and evaluated. Health and safety specialists with knowledge in the appropriate disciplines are involved in the assessment of risks in conjunction with the development of the appropriate procedures for the management of those risks.

Personnel Protection

The animal care personnel are required to wear the university supplied, appropriate personnel protection. This protective equipment includes items such as masks and face shields, gloves, shoes or shoe covers, and laboratory coats. Additional hearing protection is provided in specific high noise areas. Personnel are not to wear protective clothing and equipment outside the animal facility.

Reference: National Research Council, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, National Academy Press, Washington DC 1996