OHSP APPENDIX I:

Training and Education of Animal Care Personnel
The OHSP, in consultation and/or in conjunction with OHS experts and the Attending Veterinarian, provides occupational health and safety training and education to university employees as listed in the “Training-Action Component” above, on an as needed basis. This training includes fully informing all at risk employees of the university OHSP and the benefits of participation in the program and the action procedures in the event of an animal-related incident.

The training and education formats include one-on-one and group session didactic training, the provision of relevant occupational health and safety information resources, and/or hands-on training as needed based on individual needs, experience and training, species used, potential hazards, risk assessment of each animal activity, and frequency and duration of exposure.

The OHSP tracks and documents receipt of training and education for each individual.

Other instructional mechanisms for training and education include the provision of established guidelines, relevant regulations and other self-instructional materials; provision of, or subscriptions to relevant journals or books (e.g. Occupational Heath and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals, National Academy Press, 1997; access to and review of relevant internet web sites including those that address OHSP training and education, allergy; asthma, hazards, etc. associated with the laboratory animal environment; as well as other relevant resources about animal care and use and occupational health and safety.

Training - Action Component
The training - action component of the university OHSP consists of the following:

• Training of personnel regarding their duties, hazards, and safeguards
• Training on safety practices and procedures during the conduct of animal activities and animal-support procedures.
• Instruction in personal hygiene, animal allergies, and zoonoses
• Instruction in chemical safety, microbiologic, radiological and physical hazards, when applicable
• Special precautions for individuals at greater risk (e.g. pregnant women, immunocompromised personnel, illness, allergic individuals and others at risk)
• Personnel protective clothing and equipment
• A no eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics policy in animal care and support facilities.
• Instruction in first aid procedures appropriate to potential hazards and the provision of first aide supplies.
• Action procedures in the event of scratches, cuts, bites or other animal-related injuries
• Action procedures in the event of abrasions by animal-contaminated equipment (e.g. cages, cleaning implements, etc.)
• Action procedures in the event of penetration by needles or scalpels or other "sharps"
• Procedures for obtaining timely medical attention for the treatment of animal bites, scratches, allergies and other job-related injuries or illnesses.
• Procedures for handling, removal and disposal of radioactive, infectious or otherwise contaminated excreta, bedding, and animals