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Occupational Health Program The occupational health and safety program for personnel involved in the care and use of laboratory animal is based on risk assessment and includes all personnel involved in the care and/or use of laboratory animals. The occupational health and safety program is supported by University Health Services (UHS) and Office of Environmental Safety and Health (OESH), who are responsible for implementing and overseeing the program. The most common risks present while working in the UMBC animal facilities include: 1. Animal bites and scratches 2. Animal allergens from saliva, urine, blood, dander or fur 3. Zoonotic diseases, i.e. Salmonellosis, Yersinia enterocolitica The minimum procedures required, as applicable, to minimize those risks include: 1. Training on proper animal handling techniques; 2. Following posted personal protective clothing and equipment requirements; 3. Washing hands after handling animals or related equipment 4. Using disposable supplies whenever possible; 5. Sanitizing lab work areas after animal work. The health program for personnel who work in the animal facilities is as follows: 1. All animal care employees of the University are required to undergo a complete physical examination at the time of employment, including history of any animal allergies, and a current tetanus inoculation with a booster every ten years. Animal care employees are required to receive a follow up physical examination by a physician on an annual basis. Animal care employees are encouraged to inform their personal physician that they work with animals. A copy of physical examination form shall be provided to UHS. 2. Laboratory supervisors shall provide all employees a copy of "Procedures for Serious and Life-Threatening Emergencies" (see the Appendices). Where applicable, investigators are expected to submit a statement to the OESH indicating their responsibilities of obtaining pertinent training and in adhering to correct procedures in handling biohazardous substances (e.g., radioisotopes, chemical agents, infectious agents). 3. Laboratory supervisors shall provide all employees with information regarding hazards to health, such as zoonoses and allergies that may be caused by contact with animals. The opportunity to obtain further information and training in how to control such allergies will also be provided through UHS and OESH. 4. Laboratory supervisors shall provide all employees with protective equipment, where appropriate, when working in the animal facilities at UMBC: Protective equipment may include cloth overalls, disposable coveralls, disposable gowns, plastic gowns, rubber gloves, heat insulated gloves, sterile gloves, rubber boots, foot covers, surgical masks, respirators, face shields, ear protectors, and hats, as appropriate to the circumstance. 5. Supervisors/Principal Investigators shall file annually a personnel risk assessment report to OESH. 6. Any injuries occurring on the job will be reported immediately to the next highest supervisor. When a faculty, staff or paid student employee has incurred a work-related injury, the injured person is to be referred directly to: University Health Services, Erickson Hall, Center Road, (410) 455-2542. When University Health Services is not open, employees should be referred to: Concentra Medical Center, 1419 Knecht Avenue, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227 (410) 247-9595 or Friends Medical Center, Inc., 5820 Southwestern Boulevard, Arbutus, Maryland 21227, (410) 247-1417. Both off-campus facilities specialize in work-related illnesses and injuries in addition to offering physicals, special testing and vaccinations. They are approximately a seven-minute drive from campus. During normal business hours an Authorization for Treatment form may be obtained from the OESH in the Physical Plant Building, room 105. When both facilities are closed (usually Saturday after noon, Sunday and some holidays), injured employees should be referred to: St. Agnes Hospital, 900 Caton Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21229. General (410-368-6000) and Emergency Room (410-368-2000) In cases of severe work-related injuries which necessitate the use of an ambulance to transport the injured person, the emergency room facilities at St. Agnes Hospital are to be utilized. When an employee is sent to St. Agnes, the OESH must be notified by the appropriate supervisor.. All work-related injuries must be reported to the OESH via the following OESH procedure: a. The employee-who is injured must complete an Employee's First Report of Injury form (available from the laboratory supervisor or on-line from the UMBC Safety website) and submit it to his/her immediate supervisor. The form must be submitted within 24 hours after the injury has occurred. b. The supervisor or designee must complete a Supervisor's First Resort of Injury form and submit it to the OESH within one business day following the injury. c. Once the forms have been submitted, they are reviewed by the OESH. The campus Safety Officer will investigate, if necessary, and notify the Injured Workers' Insurance Fund and the Human Resources Office. d .Failure to submit injury reports in a timely manner may result in the rejection of a claim by the Injured Workers' Insurance Fund. |
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Last updated 04/28/2008 |
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