Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program
Background
Working with laboratory animals can present a risk to the health and well-being of research personnel, as well as other individuals that may have animal contact or exposure. Examples of health risks may include (a) zoonotic diseases (infectious agents shared by humans and animals); (b) allergies to laboratory animals, particularly rodents; (c) bites, scratches and other injuries and (d) manipulation of hazardous materials in animals. The purpose of the Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program (LAOHP) is to identify, evaluate, manage and reduce potential health risks associated with the care and use of animals. By assessing an individual’s risks, recommendations to prevent illness related to laboratory animal research can be made.
Enrollment in the Program
All personnel with contact or exposure to laboratory animals must enroll in the Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program by completing the online LAOHP questionnaire and submitting it to Environmental Health & Safety. The Occupational Health Coordinator, a registered nurse, reviews all LAOHP questionnaires. Based on this review, recommendations to prevent illness and/or referrals for additional medical care are provided, as well as referrals to medical care in the event of a research-related illness or injury. Personnel must enroll in the program, but may decline participation by completing only the first section of the questionnaire.
All individuals working with animals or listed on IACUC protocols must enroll in the Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program. This includes:
- Anyone that intends to work on an IACUC protocol;
- Anyone working with animals for research, testing or teaching purposes;
- Anyone having contact or exposure to laboratory animals; and
- Anyone entering Vivarium facilities
Enrollment consists of annual submission of the LAOHP questionnaire (See How to Enroll, below) . All personnel must complete a new form:
- Before their first contact with laboratory animals (i.e., before they are added to an IACUC protocol);
- Annually thereafter; and
- Whenever they experience a change in their health status (e.g., worsening allergies, pregnancy, immune disorder diagnosed, etc.); and/or
- Their exposure information changes (e.g., a new animal model is introduced in the lab)
How to Enroll
To enroll in the Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program, simply complete the form online and click the “Submit” button at the bottom:
Or go to http://apps.research.uci.edu/laohp
Additional Information
For more information about the risks associated with exposure to laboratory animals, contact the Occupational Health Coordinator at (949) 824-6200 or occhlth@uci.edu. Information related to laboratory hazards can be found by visiting the EH&S website
