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Introduction

To ensure a safe and healthy work environment for the research community at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Campus, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research has established a mandatory Animal Care and Use Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program for all personnel having direct or indirect contact with research and teaching animals. The goal of the OHS Program is to eliminate or control hazards by identifying risks, implementing safety controls and providing training to prevent adverse health effects due to animal contact.

Many unique risks are associated with exposure to research and teaching animals including animal allergies, scratches, bites, zoonoses, as well as chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. Several health and safety professionals from across campus work together to provide participants with a comprehensive OHS program which address these risks. A variety of training modules and educational information is available at the different departmental websites. These departments can be contacted directly to answer your questions or concerns.

Program Requirements

To comply with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, all persons with direct or indirect exposure to research and teaching animals must be enrolled in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.
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Participants include:

• Principal Investigators
• Research Staff
• Animal Care Staff
• Veterinarians
• Maintenance and Service Workers
• Student Employees using or caring for animals
• Other UIUC Staff needing access into animal facilities

Program enrollment is done by completing the OHS Training Module and the Animal Care and Use Risk Assessment Form. The training module reviews basic health and safety information you need to be aware of while working in an animal facility. The training must be renewed every three years. The risk assessment form will help evaluate the possible health risks due to animal exposures and occupational hazards. Risk Assessments Forms must be updated if exposures have changed due to change in research and/or employment. An email will be sent annually to remind participants to review and revise the form if necessary. Persons whom have not completed these requirements will not be allowed to use or care for animals or perform work in animal facilities.

Completion of the Health Screening Questionnaire is strongly encouraged for all participants. By completing the health screening questionnaire, additional risks may be able to be identified on an individual basis. For example, participants who are immunocompromised or are pregnant may have additional exposure risks. This form is confidentially reviewed by the Animal Care and Use Program Medical Reviewer and any correspondence directed back to the participant is communicated directly through the Medical Reviewer.

Education and training of animal users and care staff play important roles in the success of the OHS Program. A variety of fact sheets as well as links to related training opportunities are found on this site.

If you have any questions concerning the Occupational Health and Safety Program for Animal Users and Care Staff, please contact the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.