Occupational Health and Safety Program
Animal Safety (IACUC)
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program is a required component of the university's Animal Care and Use Program, as is the IACUC. The primary function of OHS Program is to protect UM animal users, and others having contact with animals used for research or scholarship, by evaluating and mitigating potential risks to health and safety in:
- campus animal facilities
- labs
- classrooms
- campus property containing wildlife environments
- natural areas and wildlife environments
- satellie facilities used in animal research.
The 猎奇重口’s Animal Care and Use Program, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Occupational Health and Safety Program operate under an Assurance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). All activities follow the requirements of , standards set forth in the and the Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Biosafety (IBC)
All research projects involving biohazards (infectious agents, microorganisms, recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids, potentially infectious samples, biotoxins, human/non-human primate blood, fluid, tissues and cell lines must have a risk assessment performed at the time of protocol submission.
Occupational health and safety oversight is required for individuals who:
- Work with infectious agents (ABSL-2, BSL-2) or potentially infectious samples acquired in the field.
- Are exposed to human blood/fluid/tissues
- Are listed on an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) protocol
OHS Personel Requirements
| Risk Assessment | Annual Medical Review | Medical Surveillance | Recommended Vaccine and Vaccine Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Faculty, staff, and students listed on an AUP |
Required | Required | Required if requested by OHS Nurse | Required if requested by OHS Nurse |
|
Faculty, staff, and students listed on an IBC Registration |
Required | Required | Required if Requested by OHS Nurse | Required if Requested by OHS Nurse |
|
University staff needing occasional access to animal facilities but not working with animals |
Required | Required | Determined by Risk | Determined by Risk |
|
Frequency of Completion |
At the start of work and triennially thereafter | Annually or when a change in medical status occurs | When requested by OHS Nurse | At the start of work, if work exposure changes or if requested by OHS nurse |
Required Forms
-
The will help evaluate the possible health risks due to animal exposures and occupational hazards. A Risk Assessment Form is required before work on a project can begin and triennially there after.
-
The helps identify additional risks of an individual basis. For example, participants who are immunocompromised or are pregnant may have additional exposure risks. The questionnaire is confidentially reviewed by the Occupational Health Nurse. Annual Medical reviews are required if you have a change in your health status after you have completed an initial risk assessment and annually during the first two years there after.
-
The Medical Surveillance form is required for all animal care staff and if required/requested by OHS nurse following review of a complete risk assessment or annual medical review.
-
Personnel working in research laboratories and/or ABSL-2 facilities with certain biological agents or performing research on wild caught animals are at increased risk of exposure to those agents due to the nature of their work. Vaccine recommendations are done based on the agent, strain, exposure, transmission routes, procedural hazards and health risks to the individual and the community. Vaccinations are voluntary but if a vaccine recommendation is made, individuals are required to complete the Acceptance/Declination/Request for Additional Information Form.
OHS Program Contacts
Linda Hicks - IACUC Manager/Biosafety Officer
406-243-6395
Dionne Peterson, RN - Occupational Health Nurse
406-243-2122