occupational health & safety /wsu animal contact program

Program Description

What is the Animal Contact Program??

The WSU Animal Contact Program provides information and training to individuals regarding the occupational health risks associated with animal contact (i.e. zoonotic diseases, allergens, animal bites, scratches, biological hazards, physical hazards, etc.) and invites all individuals with animal contact to participate in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program. All individuals at Washington State University who have contact with research and teaching animals (this includes handling, cleaning, feeding, exposure to unfixed tissues, exposure to animal waste or bodily fluids) must register in the WSU Animal Contact Program. Principal investigators and animal facility supervisors are responsible for ensuring ALL individuals (i.e. classified staff, faculty, AP, students, time-slip, work study, collaborators, and volunteers) exposed to animals are informed of this program and are registered in the WSU Animal Contact Program.

Why does WSU have an Animal Contact Program??

The WSU Animal Care and Use Program is accredited with the Association For Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care - International (AAALAC). One of the responsibilities of an accredited animal care and use program is for the institution to ensure individuals with animal contact are aware of the associated risks involved in working with animals and are provided training to ensure exposure to health hazards are minimized or eliminated. This program also provides a health risk assessment and medical surveillance & care by an occupational health physician for those individuals wishing to participate in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program. The WSU Animal Contact program is intended to comply with the recommendations made by the Committee on Occupational Safety and Health in Research Animal Facilities and the Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources. These recommendations have been published in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, (National Research Council; National Academy Press; Washington DC; 1996) and Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals (National Research Council; National Academy Press; Washington DC; 1997).

How Do I Register in the WSU Animal Contact Program??

• Read all the information pertaining to the WSU Animal Contact Program listed on this web site. If you would like hard copies of this information for yourself or to provide to individuals, please contact Mike Kluzik at 509-335-9553.

• Complete the Participation/Declination Form and return it to Mike Kluzik, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S); campus zip - 1172. Participation in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program is provided at no cost to the employee. An employee may decline participation in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program, however, it must be the employee's decision. A supervisor may not waive the employee's right to participate if the employee wishes to participate.

What Happens Once I Have Registered in the WSU Animal Contact Program??

• If an individual wishes to PARTICIPATE in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program, the individual will be sent a Medical Health and Risk Assessment form to complete and return in a sealed envelope. The envelope will be forwarded to WSU's Occupational Health Physician who will review it. Once reviewed, the Physician's office will contact the individual regarding any necessary immunizations, physical exams, diagnostic testing, etc. as determined by the Physician.

• If an individual wishes to DECLINE participation in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program, the only requirement is to sign and return the Participation/Declination Form. Please note that everyone must read the WSU Animal Contact Program posted on this web site and be aware of the occupational health risks associated with animal contact before they may choose to decline participation in the program.

Who Do I Contact If I Have Questions Regarding the WSU Animal Contact Program or Other Occupational Health Concerns??

• The WSU Animal Contact Program is coordinated and overseen by the the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Please direct all inquires regarding the Animal Contact Program to Mike Kluzik at (509)335-9553

• Questions pertaining to occupational health and safety at WSU can also be directed to the Environmental Health and Safety Office at (509)335-3041.

• Employees should be familiar with university safety policies and procedures listed in the WSU Safety Policy and Procedures Manual.

• Individuals must be knowledgeable of procedures to following in case of a work related accident associated with animal contact (i.e. bites, scratches, kicks, falls, illness, allergies, etc.). All individuals should review the WSU Accident Reporting and Follow-up Policy.

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Last updated on:  March 7, 2002
 

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