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Occupational Health and Safety requirements

A page within IACUC

PURPOSE:

The NRC reference titled: Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals states that ‘the goal of an occupational health and safety program is to prevent occupational injury and illness.’ The obligation of the institution is to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all individuals who participate in institutional programs.   In addition, The Guide and The PHS Policy places responsibility for ensuring a safe working environment for personnel involved in the animal care and use program with the institution.

REFERENCE: Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition, page 17

POLICY:

The Occupational Health and Safety Program is administered by the IACUC Office and the Campus Physician.  Failure to enroll and/or provide updates may result in suspension of your ability to work on an animal protocol or in an animal facility.

Occupational health and safety training is required for all personnel listed on a protocol application which is included in the CITI “Animal Welfare Training” module.

UWL faculty, staff and students with direct animal contact including contact with fresh (unfixed) animal tissue are required to complete the online risk assessment questionnaire found at https://www.uwlax.edu/iacuc/occupational-health-and-safety/ and must have a current (within ten year) tetanus booster before they begin work with the animals. This includes all personnel listed on protocol applications, three year renewals and amendments.  Upon completion of this questionnaire, the individual will either be cleared or instructed to contact the Student Health Center.   Protocol approval will not be granted until all personnel listed on the protocol have been cleared.  This risk assessment questionnaire must be completed at least every three years or whenever there is a change in health status, environmental risk conditions or species used.

Physical plant and maintenance personnel working in an animal facility are also strongly encouraged to complete the questionnaire.

All Gundersen Health System employees with direct animal contact including contact with fresh (unfixed) animal tissue are required to complete the risk assessment questionnaire through the Gundersen Health System Employee Health Services Department and have a current (within ten year) tetanus booster before they begin work with the animals. This includes all personnel listed on protocol applications, three year renewals and amendments.  Upon completion of this questionnaire, the individual will either be cleared or instructed to contact the Employee Health Services Department.   Protocol approval will not be granted until all personnel listed on the protocol have been cleared.  This risk assessment questionnaire must be completed at least every three years or whenever there is a change in health status, environmental risk conditions or species used.

Prepared by:  Amy Cooper

Adoption Date: 4/8/14
Amended: 4/13/17
Reference minutes: 4/8/14, 4/13/17