Occupational Health and Safety Program for Laboratory Animal Resources

All individuals on campus with substantial contact with live vertebrate animals used in teaching, training, testing or research must receive training involving a Health screening risk assessment by a qualified medical professional. This is in accordance with the AWR's, PHS Policy and the "Guide."

Purpose

The purpose of the Occupational Health and Safety Program is to provide:

• Relevant health and safety information related to the use and care of laboratory animals.

• Initial education and training of new faculty, staff and students regarding:

  • Potential hazards inherent to the animal laboratories and/or field-work research environments studying vertebrate animals.

  • Preventive work practices including the safe handling and care of vertebrate animals used in research.

  • An introduction to bloodborne pathogen training with referral to the Environment Health and Safety department for comprehensive training when indicated.

  • The safe handling and disposal of biohazardous substances and regulated medical waste.

  • Information regarding referral for training prior to use of radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment.

  • Procedure to enable individuals to obtain additional information regarding the safe use and handling of chemicals in the animal laboratories.

  • Zoonoses.

  • Common allergic reactions to laboratory animals.

Health Screening Risk Assessment for New Faculty, Staff and Students

• Baseline health screening form
• Allergy questionnaire ( if indicated)
• Respiratory Illness questionnaire( if indicated)
• Post-screening recommendations when indicated including:
  • Personal protective equipment to be used when working with animals in the labs or in the field
  • Referral for clinical evaluation and treatment
  • Referral for spirometry or pulmonary function testing
  • Referral for consult with an Allergist, Pulmonary Disease Specialist, Dermatologist, or ENT specialist if indicated for additional evaluation and or treatment
    
• Annual risk assessment update for any individuals continuing to work with vertebrate animals
• Provide information and recommendations regarding occupationally-indicated immunizations
• Surveillance program for:
  • The monitoring of individuals who have acquired or have exposed to a Zoonotic disease or illness.
  • The monitoring of those individuals determined to be, (after medical screening), at increased risk for the development of allergic disease (including Asthma), or for acquiring disease or illness.
    

Refer to the document "Program Policy and Overview"(password-protected) for the Occupational Health and Safety Program for Laboratory Animal Resources for more detailed information regarding the following components of this program:

• Program policies and procedures
• Process of enrollment in the Occupational Health and Safety Program
• Requirements for certification to obtain clearance for access into the Animal Laboratories and/or to work with vertebrate animals in field research
• Responsibility of the Principle Investigator in the OH&S Program:
  • Identification of potential workplace health hazards, and communicating these concerns for further investigation to the appropriate department, including the Attending Veterinarian, the Environmental Health and Safety Department, and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.
  • initiating the enrollment process for any new faculty, students, and staff working with or for the PI (Principle Investigator), including visitors.
  • Monitoring compliance with the completion of enrollment in the OH&S Program, which includes the wearing of ID badges at all times when in the animal laboratory facility.
• Compliance Monitoring
• Surveillance Program
• Routine Screening Requirements

OH&S Information Section

• OH&S Program Policy and Overview
• Dates, times, and location for Vertebrate Animal Educational Training sessions
  
• Handout for the Vertebrate Animal Educational In-service meetings for faculty, staff, and students

Health and Safety Information

• Educational information on a variety of topics relating to Occupational Health and Safety as it pertains to lab and field research involving the use and study of vertebrate animals.
• Contact Environmental health and Safety Department for additional information regarding:
  • Bloodborne Pathogen Training
  • Respiratory Protection Program 
  • Illness and Injury Reporting
  • Hazard Communication/NYS Right to Know
  • Hazardous Waste Management
  • Radioactive Waste Management
  • Biohazard (Medical/Research Waste)
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Biosafety Guidelines
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan ( Chemical Spills)
• Dates and hours of operation for Student Health Services * Information regarding making of appointments for clinical evaluation of injury, acute or chronic illness; vaccine clinic hours; referral for spirometry testing

For information regarding the required educational training to be completed prior to the use of Radioactive materials and/or Radiation-Producing Equipment contact: James Brownridge at 777-4370.

 

Refer to OH&S Form section for

For visitor enrollment packet of forms

• Health Screening Questionnaire for Visiting Faculty and Students (HTML)
• History of Prior Educational Training for Visiting Faculty and Visiting Students (HTML)
• Cover letter for Visiting Faculty and Students(HTML)
• Annual Health Screening Questionnaire(HTML)

For Questions regarding The OH&S-LAR Program, Please Contact:

Dr. Diane Paukett, D.O.
Phone: (607) 777-4610
Email: lpaukett@binghamton.edu
Occupational Health and Safety Binghamton University
P.O. Box 6000
Health Services IN-204
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

For copies of the Baseline Health Screening Questionnaire, Respiratory Illness Questionnaire or Allergy Questionnaire, contact:

Veterinary Services
Phone: (607) 777-6199