Research Policies
University Policy Number 4004
Subject: Occupational Health and Safety Program for Animal Care and Use Personnel
Responsible Parties: Vice President for Research, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Assistant Vice President of Safety, Deans, Directors and Principal Investigators
Procedures: N/A
Related University Policies: University Policy Number 1405 “Written Hazard Communication Program”
I. SCOPE
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, volunteers, visitors,
guests and university contractors at all George Mason University owned
and leased locations.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
George Mason University is committed to providing a safe working environment
for all its employees. To support its commitment, the university has established
an Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP) for its employees including
its animal use personnel. Established laboratory safety procedures are
applied in the animal facility, with additional safety measures and training
provided for the specialized risks associated with the animal facility
environment. These safety measures and training are intended to prevent
or minimize the potential transmission of diseases and illnesses resulting
from working with animals, fluids or tissues from animals in the research
setting. This policy specifically addresses the unique requirements associated
with the care and use of animals.
III. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply to the OHSP:
A. “At Risk employee” means an individual working with laboratory animals.
B. The “Program Director” is the individual tasked with organizing, coordinating, implementing, reviewing and monitoring a sound Occupational Health and Safety program. The OHSP Director is also the University’s Occupational Health Manager.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The President of the University is ultimately responsible for the operation of an effective occupational health and safety program and the administrative structure to implement the program. By virtue of this policy, the President designates the Vice President for Research, the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, the Assistant Vice President for Safety and the Deans and Directors as responsible individuals tasked with ensuring strong program content; coordinating key actions to ensure an appropriate and effective program; securing consultative services from experts in the field of occupational health and safety to ensure a comprehensive and effective program; maintaining authoritative and timely communication with program participants to ensure timely and consistent enrollment and participation; and access to financial resources as needed to implement and maintain the program. Each identified individual has a role to play in making the program viable; however the day-to-day operation of the program resides with the OHSP Director.
In addition, the University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will review the OHSP at least semi-annually for its overall effectiveness including the established mechanisms to ensure timely participation and documentation. The IACUC will provide any comments regarding the program to the OHSP Director.
V. PROVISIONS FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION
The OHSP Director, in consultation with OHS experts and the Attending
Veterinarian, oversees the occupational health and safety training and
education provided to university employees. This training includes fully
informing all “at risk” employees of the university OHSP,
the benefits of participation in the program, and the procedures to follow
in the event of an animal-related incident.
Training will include one-on-one and group sessions, 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, frequency and duration of exposure.
The OHSP Director or designee tracks and documents receipt of training and education for each individual. Specific training guidelines are contained in Appendix I.
VI. PERSONAL HYGIENE
A specialized personal hygiene program is required for each individual involved in animal care. Guidelines are set forth in Appendix II. The Principal Investigator for the research involving animals is responsible for insuring a personal hygiene program is completed for every staff member. The Principal Investigator is also responsible for assuring that the OHSP Director, the IACUC and appropriate Dean or Director are informed of the procedures before instituting research involving animals.
VII. MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CARE
To insure the safety of all individuals, an animal exposure risk
assessment should be completed for all facility users.
While the University makes every effort to provide a safe and healthy
work environment, accidents do happen and when they do, quick and appropriate
actions need to be taken. As with the personal hygiene program, the Principal
Investigator needs to ensure that procedures are in place to respond to
injuries in the laboratory environment. Assistance may be obtained from
the OHSP Director and the Attending Veterinarian. An extensive discussion
of animal facility injury and treatment is contained in Appendices
III, IV and V.
VIII. INFORMATION RESOURCES
Additional resources for the development of an OHSP are listed at Appendix VI.
IX. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL
The policies herein are effective September 30, 2005. This policy shall
be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually to become effective at
the beginning of the University's fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.
Approved:
_______________________
Maurice W. Scherrens
Senior Vice President
________________________
Peter N. Stearns
Provost
Date approved: October 1, 2005
APPENDICES:
I
Training Guidelines
II Hygiene
Program Guidelines
III
Animal Facility Injuries and Treatment
IV
Preventing Asthma in Animal Handlers
V Zoonoses
VI
Additional Resources
VII Health
Surveillance Questionnaire
VIII
Medical Monitoring