Animal Research at Tulane University

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Animal Research at Tulane University
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Issues in Animal Research

• Physical Hazards (incl. animal bites scratches
  flammable materials noise lifting radiation
  pressure vessels)
• Chemical Hazards
• Protocol Related Hazards
• Biological Agents
• Allergens
• Zoonotic Diseases

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Animal Bites Scratches

• Policy in Biological Safety Plan of Office of
  Environmental Health and Safety Policies and
  Procedures Manual
• Wash wound for 15 min. w/ soap water
• Rinse w/ warm water.
• Dry w/ absorbent cotton.
• Swab w/ appropriate skin antiseptic, if
  available.
• Bandage wound with sterile gauze.

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Animal Bites and Scratches

• Seek medical attention promptly. If fever
  develops, report for medical aid. (Notify doctor
  of your work w/ animals.)
• Report employee wounds on TU First Report of
  Occupational Injury/Illness.

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Animal Bites Scratches

• Students report wounds to instructors and to
  Student Health Center.

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Chemical Hazards

• Disinfectants
• Pesticides
• Anesthetic Gases
• Tissue Preservatives

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Protocol Related Hazards

• Chemical Agents
• Toxicity
• Reactivity
• Flammability
• Explosivity

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Protocol Related Hazards

• Biological Agents
• Virulence
• Pathogenicity
• Communicability

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Allergens

• Animal proteins that can cause asthma and
  allergies.
• Sources animal dander, scales, body waste, and
  saliva.
• Can result in respiratory symptoms, itchy eyes,
  and rashes.

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Allergens

• At risk persons include
• researchers, lab animal techs, vet. techs,
  vets, workers who handle animal products or
  associated materials

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Allergens

• Preventing Asthma in Animal Handlers
• a NIOSH ALERT, January 1998, DHHS (NIOSH)
  Publication No. 97-116
• Provides recommendations for animal handlers to
  protect against exposure to animals and animal
  products.

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NIOSH Recommendations

• Use ventilated hoods or safety cabinets for
  animal manipulation.
• Dont wear street clothes
• Leave work clothes at work.
• Keep cages animal areas clean.

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NIOSH Recommendations

• Use gloves, lab coats, approved particulate
  respirators w/faceshields

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Zoonotic Diseases

• Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to
  humans.
• Employee should notify supervisors
• potential or known exposures
• Suspected health hazards and illnesses.

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Animal Handlers Medical Surveillance Program

• Protects health of persons with animal contact.
• Faculty members, grad. and undergrad. students,
  animal handlers, research technicians,
  non-technical staff, volunteers.
• Protocols submitted after Jan. 03
• Animal Handler Health Surveillance Program Risk
  Assessment and History Form