ALAT - Chapter 4. Occupational Health and Safety. Dr. Carrie Freed, DACLAM, DVM, MLAS

Transcription

1 ALAT - Chapter 4 Occupational Health and Safety Dr. Carrie Freed, DACLAM, DVM, MLAS Freed.36@osu.edu,

2 OSHA Every institution with an animal research program must have an occupational health and safety program Who is OSHA? Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration main federal agency that enforces rules or standards related to workplace safety Main areas of interest zoonotic disease allergen exposure accident and injury reporting ergonomics Also state and local standards apply

3 Other Safety Standards Radioactive materials NRC = Nuclear Regulatory Commission Infectious agents CDC = Center for Disease Control Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), published by the CDC Other references ILAR published Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Nonhuman Primates

4 Occupational Health Program is usually coordinated by:

5 Health Screening Detailed questionnaire and medical history You should disclose allergies or medical conditions % of workers develop allergies Allergies -> asthma Pregnancy - cats/toxoplasma gondi Risk Assessment Protecting the animals (NHP) Tuberculin skin test Ensure titer levels or be vaccinated for measles, mumps, and influenza Protecting you!! Vaccination recommendation: Hepatitis B, Rabies, study specific pathogens

6 Personal Hygiene Eating and drinking only in appropriate areas Proper storage of personal items Proper hand washing Entry and exit showers

7 Personal Protective Equipment Uniforms vs street clothes Appropriate footwear Bonnets Eye & Face protection splashes but not aerosols Masks & Respirators/PAPR Gloves Hearing protection (required in areas averaging over 85 Db in 8 hours) Always wear appropriate PPE and follow SOPs

8 Respiratory protection N-95 NIOSH respirator : -effectively limits 95% of agents 0.3 um in size Beyond your test info, just FYI

9 Occupational Health and Safety Program What are the risks? Physical Bite wounds, falls, equipment

10 Occupational Health and Safety Program What are the risks? Physical Chemical: cleaning, disinfectants, solvents, etc

11 Occupational Health and Safety Program What are the risks? Testing agents Sharps

12 Pressurized gas Noise Machinery, vocal animals Dim lighting Electricity Radioactive materials Time Distance Shielding Hazards

13 Hazard Prevention Material safety data sheets (MSDS) should be available for all chemicals used with the animal facility Store and label chemical properly Clean up spills immediately Clear exits and plans

14 Hazard Prevention Know where emergency showers and eye wash stations are located How long must a body part or eye be flushed to be considered effective? 15 minutes High pressure or low pressure? Water or Saline? This is determined by? ANSI (American National Standards Institute)?

15 Ergonomic Hazards Most common type of injury: sprains and strains aka musculo-skeletal Always use proper technique for lifting Repetitive motion injuries Take short frequent breaks to stretch Perform different tasks Allergens Symptoms include nasal discharge, itchy eyes, skin rashes What are the most common allergens? Mouse urine, dander, fur

16 Infectious Hazards What does zoonotic mean? Can be transmitted from animals to humans How can zoonotic diseases be prevented? PPE and properly following SOPs

17 Examples of Zoonotic Disease Rabies Caused by bites from mammals infected with virus especially bats, raccoons, skunks, dogs, cats, ruminants Causes death without medical treatment Tuberculosis Caused by inhalation of aerosols or contact with broken skin Transmitted by many species Toxoplasmosis Caused by ingestion or inhalation of infected cat feces or contaminated meat Causes flu-like symptoms, birth defects, miscarriages

18 Examples of Zoonotic Disease Q fever Cattle, sheep, and goats are primary host of infective organism. Highest concentration of organism found in female reproductive tissues and amniotic fluid of pregnant animals B virus Caused by virus present in any species of macaque monkey Monkeys show no sign of disease Potentially fatal to humans! Use appropriate precautions and PPE at all times when near macaques, caging, and wastes

19 Biohazardous Agents Agents that cause disease in humans. Animals may be experimentally infected with these microorganisms. These types of studies are conducted in designated areas designed for safe handling and containment of organisms. Require additional safety equipment and practices when handling animals and also their wastes and caging

20 Signs Signs are required for identification of each type of hazardous material. Placed on the doors and walls Provide additional contact information ALATs should recognize the following symbols FIG 4.2

21 What to do in case of an accident? First Aid : TOP PRIORITY Eye or mouth Splash Flush 15 minute Wound from bite or scratch Placed under running water for 15 minutes Scrub with Soap Reporting Evaluation of Person Investigate Accident

22 If you are present in the facility when a major disaster or accident occurs, what should be your first priority? Preserve human life

23 What type of injury can be prevented by taking frequent short breaks to rest and stretch the body? Repetitive motion Which animal is most likely to harbor the B virus? Macaque What is the minimum sound level that is considered a noise hazard? 85dB

24 THE END