Contents
Cal Poly Pomona

Safety while using Animals

Introduction

This web page is meant to provide an overview of some of the safety concerns associated with animals, in particular laboratory animals. This applies to both direct work and peripheral contact whether one is teaching, testing, researching, or simply present around animals.  The circumstances may be in places beyond a lab animal facility such as during a field study, in the classroom, in a research lab, pastures and barns, repairing equipment used with animals, maintenance or housekeeping, etc. The ACUC and EH&S at Cal Poly Pomona want you to be safe and protected in such situations. 

These are highlights.  More information is available from the office of EH&S, the ACUC in the Office of Research, the University veterinarian, and personnel at the Building 92 animal facility.  Provide suggestions for improvements, additions, and clarifications to us.

The Cal Poly Pomona occupational health program is designed to protect both personnel and laboratory animals.  All personnel who work or study in a laboratory animal facility (LAF) or who have substantial contact with animals or tissues (> 8 hours per week) should be familiar with this program.  This would include those involved with the direct care of or are within the living quarters of animals or have direct contact with live or dead animals, their viable tissues, body fluids, or wastes.

Enrollment in the program is mandatory for some (those with substantial contact) and highly encouraged for others (students in classroom animal labs for example).  To do so, complete the RASQ form (link provided below) and answer several questions that determine your risk and exposure. It's confidential and will take only a few minutes. Your answers will be evaluated by a health professional.  And if you want a medical opinion, you may request to be seen by a medical professional by completing the HHQ (link is below).

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From the ILAR Guide

In the 2011 Guide (http://oacu.od.nih.gov/regs/guide/guide.pdf)is this section (pp 18-19) on "Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment," which is reproduced below as a summary and a base to the Cal Poly Pomona safety with animals program.

The institutional OHSP (Occupational of Health and Safety Program) should identify potential hazards in the work environment and conduct a critical assessment of the associated risks. An effective OHSP ensures that the risks associated with the experimental use of animals are identified and reduced to minimal and acceptable levels. Hazard identification and risk assessment are ongoing processes that involve individuals qualified to assess dangers associated with the Program and implement commensurate safeguards. Health and safety specialists with knowledge in relevant disciplines should be involved in risk assessment and the development of procedures to manage such risks.

Potential hazards include experimental hazards such as biologic agents (e.g., infectious agents or toxins), chemical agents (e.g., carcinogens and mutagens), radiation (e.g., radionuclides, X-rays, lasers), and physical hazards (e.g., needles and syringes). The risks associated with unusual experimental conditions such as those encountered in field studies or wildlife research should also be addressed. Other potential hazards—such as animal bites, exposure to allergens, chemical cleaning agents, wet floors, cage washers and other equipment, lifting, ladder use, and zoonoses—that are inherent in or intrinsic to animal use should be identified and evaluated. Once potential hazards have been identified, a critical ongoing assessment of the associated risks should be conducted to determine appropriate strategies to minimize or manage the risks.

The extent and level of participation of personnel in the OHSP should be based on the hazards posed by the animals and materials used (the severity or seriousness of the hazard); the exposure intensity, duration, and frequency (prevalence of the hazard); to some extent, the susceptibility (e.g., immune status) of the personnel; and the history of occupational illness and injury in the particular workplace (Newcomer 2002; NRC 1997). Ongoing identification and evaluation of hazards call for periodic inspections and reporting of potential hazardous conditions or 'near miss' incidents."

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Various notes to summarize animals and safety

  • The occupational health physician at the Cal Poly Pomona student health center recommends tetanus vaccination for all animal users, given as Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough)).
  • Many classes at Cal Poly Pomona which involve animals will have the requirement to complete a risk assessment pertaining to the extent of exposure.  For some, that exposure may present a hazard.
  • Persons should periodically reassess their exposure and therefore their risk.  For example, when a woman becomes pregnant, when working with a different animal species, when there is a change in health including a chronic illness, and more.
  • Persons are responsible for their own health and well-being. While around animals or their areas, the following are good practices:  paying attention to how you feel, using PPE, avoiding exposures (e.g., don't rub your eyes or apply cosmetics), not eating or drinking, and hand washing.  Clean before and decontaminate areas
  • The protocol application to use animals in research, testing, and teaching will include questions pertaining to the hazards and risks associated with the work and the means to mitigate them with management practices, equipment and PPE.
  • Material safety data sheets (MSDSs):  Campus-wide ones are available from EH&S; those specific to Building 92 Animal Care Facility are kept there as well.  Individuals working with animals in other areas should familiarize themselves as appropriate.
  • The ACUC will include evaluations of safety practices during its inspections, which are conducted at least semi-annually.
  • Training on safety - animal-related and otherwise - is available from EH&S.
  • Substantial animal contact is defined as contact with animals or animal tissue more than eight (8) hours per week.
  • If you are pregnant (or plan to become pregnant), limit your work with hazardous material. In particular, avoid inhaling and skin contact with hazardous chemicals, especially in the first trimester.  Take sensible precautions.
  • If you work with birds, rabbits, or turtles, know that these species pose unique risks.  Birds have diseases such as psittacosis and avian tuberculosis.  Only inspected and properly quarantined birds should be used in research studies and teaching demonstrations.  When working with rabbits, use appropriate handling techniques (be trained) to prevent lacerations inflicted by the powerful hind limbs and be aware they sometimes bite. Turtles (and other reptiles and amphibia) can harbor salmonella.
  • Persons can have and can develop sensitivities and frank allergies to animal hair and dander and urinary proteins.  Simply wearing a mask, gloves, and lab coat can avoid what is known as LAA for laboratory animal allergies.
  • Wild rodents can carry, among many diseases, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and bubonic plague.
  • Engineering controls such as fume hoods and biological safety cabinets (BSCs) should be used as the first line of defense when working with hazardous agents.  PPE and other devices should be used when appropriate and all relevant safety practices consistent with current safety guidelines have been applied.
  • Anesthetic gases (e.g., isoflurane) may have adverse occupational health effects.  Chronic exposure may lead to deleterious effects on fetal development, an increased risk for certain types of cancer, and liver, kidney, and central nervous system diseases.  Various practices (respirators, detection devices, downdraft tables, etc.) can help to minimize and avoid exposures.

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Emergency and in case of an accident with animals assistance

  • If you experience a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 from any campus phone or 909.869.3070 from a mobile or other phone.
  • The Cal Poly Pomona student health center (SHC) is available to the campus community for treatment of bites, scratches, illness, or injury related to animal use. More info is at:  http://dsa.csupomona.edu/shs/default.asp and the after-hours nurse advice line is 855.868.4945.
  • Students may: 1) go to the SHC during school hours, 2) contact the nurse help line for minor and non-life threatening injuries after hours, or 3) call campus police at x3070 (909.869.3070) for questionable or major injury or life-threatening circumstances.
  • Faculty and staff and State paid students may be eligible for workman's compensation.  They should seek treatment off campus in non-life threatening circumstances. See: http://www.csupomona.edu/~rms/pdf/managers_first_24.pdf.  Risk Management (x4846) can be contacted to make a 3-steps report (notification, medical treatment, and reporting forms).
  • CPP Foundation employees should review this document: (http://www.foundation.csupomona.edu/content/es/d/wc/Supervisor's Guide to Report Workplace Injuries rev1.pdf)
  • Volunteers and guests of the lab or animal facility need to be told about risks and emergency procedures.
  • It is imperative to report accidents involving animals to supervisors, instructors, and other authorities.  Emergency contact information should be kept at the local point of animal use (e.g., lab, break room, by the phone, animal facility) and checked periodically to be updated.

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Forms with links

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Resources

BMBL - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) publish the "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories."  The 5th edition is available at http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/.  It provides detail about risk assessments, defines animal biosafety levels 1 to 4, and summarizes characteristics of various biological agents.

Cal Poly Pomona EH&S web site - Our university's resource for environmental health and safety for all of campus including faculty, staff, and students.  The web site http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehs/ provides links to resources and services beyond concerns related to the use of animals.

Lab Safety Supply - A company that provides safety products and equipment, http://www.labsafety.com/.

Management of Laboratory Animal Care and Use Programs, 2002, edited by MA Suckow, FA Douglas, and RH Weichbrod, specifically Chapter 13 "Hazard Identification and Control in the Research Animal Facility" by CE Newcomer, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

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Typical terms associated with laboratory animal science and safety:

(taken from the 2011 AALAS 'Lab Animal Reference Book' unless otherwise indicated)

ABSL 1 thru 4 - Animal Biosafety Level, sometimes simply BSL;  Only ABSL 1 and 2 work is conducted at Cal Poly Pomona LAFs, where 1 involves viable microorganisms not known to cause disease in healthy adult humans and 2 presents a greater risk which can be guarded by PPE and good lab practices.  Levels 3 and 4 involve agents with the potential to cause serious harm and can be life-threatening.

allergens - A substance that is recognized as foreign by the immune system and that causes an allergic reaction.

BSC - Biological Safety Cabinet; A type of cabinet that is used for working with harmful organisms to protect both the worker and the environment through the use of controlled and filtered (HEPA) air flow.

ergonomics - The science of designing the workplace to minimize physical fatigue, discomfort, and injuries to the worker while maximizing productivity.  Ergonomic designs often place the least amount of stress possible on the human body.

immuno-competent - Having the ability to develop an immune response (not susceptible to the harmful effects of a pathogen or antigen, to be able to resist invasion and infection by foreign organisms or substances).

immuno-suppressed, or -deficient, or -incompetent - Lacking one or more elements of a working immune system and thus unable to mount a normal immune response.  The term can apply to both humans and laboratory animals.

LAF or LAFs - Abbreviation for laboratory animal facility where animals are housed for approved purposes in research, teaching, or testing. A location such as a classroom or in the field may temporarily become a LAF. [not from the reference book]

PPE - Personal protective equipment; clothing and other work accessories designed to create a barrier against workplace hazards.

zoonosis - or zoonotic disease, plural is zoonoses; A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans or from humans to animals.  Zoonotic organisms may or may not be able to replicate in the human host.

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