Animal Health Surveillance
Employees who handle, maintain, and interact with research animals face several occupational health risks, including potential allergic reactions, animal bites, scratches or kicks, zoonoses (diseases that spread from animals to humans), and exposure to hazardous materials.
Information and procedures to protect the health of these employees and comply with guidelines of various agencies and associations is provided at USC by:
- Laboratory Safety;
- Animal Resources; and
- Family Medicine.
The Occupational Health Program for employees involved with animal use and care has three parts.
- Risk Assessment. Evaluation of the physical risks, work processes, and hazardous materials related to work tasks and the environment in which it is conducted. Each employee who has contact with research animals must complete the on-line Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Employees With Animal Contact to evaluate their job hazards and determine whether his or her medical status increases susceptiblity to possible illnesses. Access to the on-lien form is provided through Environmental Health and Safety; contact the Biosafety Officer for further information.
Based on questionnaire results, some employees will be required to receive a medical evaluation. Others may be strongly encouraged to consult an occupational health professional. Principal Investigators are responsible for assessing health and safety risks associated with their research projects and implementing appropriate practices, equipment and training to minimize risks.
Consult with Laboratory Safety, regarding:
- Facility design and maintenance;
- Research design and procedures;
- Hazardous materials involved; and
- Training
- Training. All employees who work with research animals must take species-specific training through the USC Animal Resources Department. Additional training may be required or recommended for specific risk factors or conditions.
- Medical Surveillance. Occupational medical monitoring is available to anyone who cares for or works with animals, and is required for some positions.
Medical monitoring is required for employees who:
- Perform animal husbandry as an essential function of their job; or
- Work with non-human primates, pregnant non-rodent mammals, wild birds, or wild mammals.
Medical monitoring is optional, but strongly recommended for employees who have a health condition that could increase the risk of acquiring or increase the severity of a disease associated with their animal contact. These include:
- Known or suspected allergies to animals;
- Chronic health problems such as diabetes;
- Serious renal or liver disease;
- Valvular heart disease;
- Immune system deficiencies or other limitations to one's ability to fight off disease;
- Current therapy with high-dose steroids, radiation, or cancer therapies;
- History of spleen problems or absence of spleen; or
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant.
Medical monitoring is optional but recommended for all others who work with with animals or on animal projects.
Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring that faculty, staff and students who work in their research space participate in medical surveillance as required.
323-442-2200 FAX: 323-442-2201