Chapter 4

 Mandatory for all persons working with laboratory animals  Safety training is also required  Vaccination may be required at some facilities: tetanus, rabies and/or hepatitis  TB testing if using NHPs  Injuries and accidents must be reported

 Questionnaire  Allergies and medical conditions  10-44% develop animal allergies  Change assignment

 Follow facility’s established guidelines  Learn about hazards in the environment  Wear personal protective equipment  Maintain high cleanliness standards  Work areas should be neat and orderly  Know where eyewash stations are located

 Eat and drink only in designated areas  Do not apply cosmetics or chew gum outside locker room  Keep personal items in locker  Wash hands: when leaving animal room, cage wash, and facility. After using rest room. Avoid jewelry that interferes with hand washing

 Wash hands after removing dirty protective clothing and before applying make-up, smoking, or eating  Keep your hands away from your face  Some facilities require showering prior to working in some areas

 PPE - protects people and animals  Requirements depend on study safety guidelines

 Footwear  Rubber boots for wet areas  Disposable shoe covers  Work shoes only in facility  Ear Protection  Noisy areas  Dogs, cage wash  Eye and Face  Goggles, safety glasses, face shields  Eyewash stations  Bonnets/buffonts  Prevent exposure to allergens and transmission of infectious diseases

 Face Masks  Surgical masks  Respirator – filters  Uniforms  Uniform only in facility ▪ Reduces risk of contamination  Laundered on site  Change as needed  Gloves  While handling animals, cleaning solutions, harmful substances  Plastic or rubber  Leather – prevent bites and scratches

 Animal bites, scratches, kicks, and related injuries  Housekeeping hazards  Slips, falls  Burns  Mechanical injuries  Pressurized gas  Sharps  Noise  Lighting electricity  Chemical hazards  Radioactive materials

 Irritation upon contact  Fumes  MSDS  Store in special cabinets – original labels  Discard empty containers – do not refill  Emergency showers and eyewash stations  15 minutes

 Energy rays are emitted  Protection  Shielding – lead aprons  Time – minimized exposure time  Distance – energy becomes weaker the further it travels  Special training

 emit low levels of radiation  monitoring badges  Nuclear Regulatory Commission has guidelines

 Infectious agents transmitted between humans and animals  Examples - TB, rabies, measles and salmonellosis  Needle sticks, bites, and scratches should be cleaned and reported  Sick employees should notify their supervisor

 physical  chemical  biological (biohazard)  radiological

 infectious bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites which pose a threat to humans and animals  Center for Disease Control (CDC) has guidelines  Biosafety Levels  1 least hazardous  4 most hazardous

 substance that can cause changes in chromosomes  radiation, chemicals

 induce cancer  formaldehyde

 poisonous substances  gases, formaldehyde  chemicals or produced by cells  tetanus

 air pressure differences  filtration of exhaust air  airlocks/pass through autoclaves  ultraviolet light  change/ shower rooms  plumbing considerations  SOP’s  PPE  etc!