Back to
Occupational Health and Safety PolicyBack to
Occupational Health and Safety PolicyParticipants who work with vertebrates are assigned one of three categories based on categorical risks generally associated with the species of animals with which the participant will be working, the average amount of contact per week and the potential risks associated with that category. Contact means working in a room or field setting with animals present, handling animals, tissues, fluids, secretions, and/or excretions, handling caging and/or equipment contaminated by animal tissues, fluids, secretions, and/or excretions. Incidental contact refers to duties performed under circumstances or conditions that bear low opportunity for animal related illness or injury. The category assignment is finalized by Veterinary Services in conjunction with UAA EH&S with input from the Contract Health Care Provider. The categories are guidelines only and all persons involved must use good judgment to assure that all participants in the Occupational Health and Safety Program use all means possible to minimize their risks.
|
Risk category based on animal related health risks | |||
|
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Type of Animal Contact |
Contact by animal workers at UAA tends to be quite diverse with most individuals coming in contact with a variety of captive wildlife; therefore, we are unable to categorize risk level based on type of animal contact. UAA does not house primates, cats, dogs, or sheep but will re-evaluate risk analysis for any individual planning contact with these species during the course of their job. Special characteristics of the animal (i.e. rutting muskox bulls) will be considered under hazard exposure.
| ||
|
Amount of Animal Contact (if contact is below times indicated herein you need not enroll in the program) |
Greater than 1 hour/week but less than 10 hours/week and special customized programs |
10 hours/week or higher or 2 hours/week or higher if activity involves high risk activity (includes cleaning densely populated rodent rooms) |
Any amount of time involving hazardous activities. |
| Hazard Exposure | None to minimal exposure to minor hazards. | Moderate exposure to hazards that include but are not limited to: anesthetic gases, carcinogens, toxins, agents infectious to animals only, radiation other than tritium or x-rays. | Substantial exposure to hazards identified in category 2 or any exposure to zoonotic disease causing agents requiring biosafety level 3 containment. |
|
Fill out and submit medical questionnaire to health care provider |
No |
Yes | Yes |
|
Medical Exam |
No |
No (unless need is identified during review of medical questionnaire) |
Pre-assignment medical exam |
|
Tuberculin Skin Test |
No |
Only if animal related risk is identified.
| |
|
Hepatitis A and B immunization |
Vaccination offered for those employees with potential contact to human tissue or body fluids and routine contract with raw sewage. | ||
|
Tetanus immunization |
Primary immunization, booster and on injury protocol | ||
|
Rabies Immunization |
None |
None |
Pre-assignment and boosters as needed only if risk of rabies exposure. Annual titers only for high risk. |
|
Chest X-Ray |
None: Non-human primates are not used in UAA research.* | ||
|
Complete web-based training on humane animal care and use |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
* Research involving non-human primates, dogs, cats, or sheep is not conducted at UAA and there are no programs/procedures in place for these animals. Please contact the UAA Vice Provost for Research Office (908-786-4833) if you are planning work using any of these animals.
Back to
Occupational Health and Safety Policy