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XI. Occupational Health And Safety:
Working Safely With Animals
LAS Personnel / Research Personnel / Reporting Injuries / Working Safely
With Animals
Full time animal care staff supervised by LAS are required to participate in an occupational health program for animal workers. The occupational health program includes provision of work clothing and laundry service, provision of protective clothing including safety shoes, training in workplace hazards including zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans), a complete medical history and physical examination, and special testing, vaccination and monitoring procedures depending on species worked with.A. LAS Personnel
The occupational health program is administered by the University Health Service on each campus.
B. Research Personnel
Faculty and their research staff and students are encouraged to participate in the occupational health program for animal workers. The cost of the program must be covered by the department.
Contact the University Health Service at x8254 to inquire about participation.
C. Reporting Injuries
Injuries that occur while working in animal facilities are handled similarly to any other on-the-job injury. Anyone who sustains an animal bite or scratch or injury from an animal cage or animal paraphernalia should report the injury to their supervisor. They should wash the injured area with water and bland soap and should then report to the Occupational Health Unit or the Student Health Center for treatment.In cases where there is a bite from any animal of a species known to be a possible carrier of rabies, the animal shall be isolated (not killed). The individual or supervisor shall inform an LAS veterinarian who will examine the animal and then determine its ultimate disposition. The Occupational Health Physician or Student Health Center shall be notified immediately by the veterinarian of the results of the examination.
Whenever an employee is injured on the work site, his or her supervisor should complete an Occupational Health Treatment Form. The injured employee must take this form to the University Health Service. The supervisor should also complete and submit to the Risk Management Department an Employer's First Report of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease.
D. Working Safely With Animals
LAS put together a short document outlining how to work safely with animals and the risks posed to people working with the animals. Click Here to link to the Working Safely With Animals document.