Environmental Health and Safety Monitors All Safety Programs
http://uavp.fau.edu/ehs/?div=Animal%20Use

Please go to the above link for more informaton

Handout below

Florida Atlantic University

Occupational Health Program

Presented by Division of Research and Graduate Studies

Welcome to the Florida Atlantic University's Occupational Health Program for Personnel who have contact with animals. There are two areas that require your attention prior to starting work with animals. They are enrolling in the Occupational Health Program and training in animal care and use.

September 1, 2003

1. Everyone should be aware of the University's Occupational Health Program. It is designed to protect you. If you have contact with animals or animal products, you should consider enrolling in the program. Contact Veterinary Services for more details specific to you. (297-4233)

2. Emergency numbers:

Medical
     General emergency.......................................................................911
    
     Ambulance...........................................................911
     Poison Center....................................................................
Fire................................................................................................................911
University Veterinarian........................................................297-4233
Risk Management....................................................................
Police Services.........................................................................

3. Reporting Injuries
a. Any injury or hazardous exposure received while on the job should immediately be reported to your immediate supervisor. In the event of serious injury, medical assistance should be sought immediately.
b. Minor slips on wet floor, animal bites, mashed fingers, etc. should all be reported. This will help us evaluate the work place and try to make it safer. It is in your best interest because what may seem minor, may become major such as a bite or scratch from a cat which has lead to death because the person considered it minor and insignificant at the time of injury. By the next day it can be a bad infection with high fever and headache, so no matter how little, report it.
c. Once you report it to your immediate supervisor, he/she will fill out a Workers Compensation First Report of Injury form and may send you to the Occupational Health and Wellness Clinic or your primary care physician.

4. Personal Hygiene
a. Personal hygiene is something we all do daily, but when working in an animal area, the transfer of disease from you to the animals or the animals to you is very important. Here are a few good rules:
   i. Do not eat, drink, smoke (no smoking at the University), chew your finger nails, put pencils in your mouth or apply cosmetics in areas where animals are housed or used.
    ii. Protective clothing is recommended at all times when working in animal areas. You should only wear a work uniform (or in some cases a lab coat is sufficient) when handling animals, carts, cages, etc. This uniform should be removed when leaving the animal area. Other protective clothing should include a pair of steel-toed rubber boots (not in case you drop a mouse on your foot, but for easy cleaning and protection from cages and other equipment), and disposal gloves. In some cases, mask and eye protection are appropriate, especially with certain types of contact lens.
    iii. Handle all infected or contaminated materials in such a way as to minimize aerosols.
    iv. All work surfaces should be decontaminated daily and after any spill of animal related material.
    v. One of the most important actions you can take is to wash your hands after each time you handle animals or their equipment, before leaving the area, and most importantly, prior to eating or drinking.

5. Animal Bites and Scratches
    a. Animal bites and scratches have been mentioned before. It is most important for you to learn how to handle animals properly to avoid unnecessary exposure to these dangers. You will receive both formal and on-the-job (OJT) training in this area. Unfortunately, not all animals have heard the lecture and so occasionally workers get bitten or scratched. When this happens, notify your immediate supervisor. Wash the wound in running water while scrubbing with povidone-iodine. Scrub for 10 minutes and then see your doctor.

6. Animal Diseases
    a. Zoonoses (diseases transmitted from animal to man) will be discussed thoroughly in your training lecture. Most of the animals we purchase are specifically raised for biomedical laboratory research. These animals are less likely to have diseases since their environment and contact is controlled. However, occasionally animals come in contact with untrained personnel or other animals in shipment, etc. and thus may become infected with a disease. Some departments use wild animals of unknown disease status so all these should be considered infected. Finally, your own pets present a reservoir for infections that can be transmitted to the laboratory animals. The following are a few of diseases to be especially aware of:

1. Tetanus:
The Public Health Service Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends immunization against tetanus. It is suggested that you keep your tetanus vaccination up-to-date at all times. Any puncture wound may require a booster.

2. Leptospirosis:
The disease is usually transmitted through the urine of several different animals such as the dog, farm animals, and wild rats. Protection should include gloves and face mask.

3. Allergies:
If you have known allergies, they should be discussed with your physician. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, eye irritation, skin redness and itching, and asthma. The wearing of a face mask, gloves, long sleeves, etc. may help prevent contact with the agent causing the allergy. Tests can be conducted to determine which animal you are allergic to. Then the physician can determine the best course of action for you to take including possible reassignment to a different area.

4. Ringworm:
Cats and rabbits can be asymptomatic carriers of the fungus that causes ringworm. In humans, the disease usually consists of small, scaly, semi-bald, grayish patches with broken, lusterless hairs, with itching. However, other symptoms may appear. It is usually associated with the hair which in each of these animals can be floating around in the room. Prevention is to wear proper clothing and practice good personal hygiene.

5. Toxoplasmosis:
This disease is generally associated with the feces of cats. Normally, it takes over 24 hours for the eggs to hatch so by changing the litter pans daily, one should not be exposed to the disease. It is of most importance to pregnant women since it can cause miscarriages, still births or various congenital defects. For this reason, pregnant women should not work with cats. Approximately 1/3 of the United States population has had this disease at some time. Usually this disease is quite mild and may be mistaken for a simple cold or viral infection, however, it can be a lot worse.

6. "Q" Fever:
"Q" Fever infects many animals including humans, dogs, cats, sheep, goats, etc. In some areas, about 1/3 of the human population have been exposed to the disease. Sheep, goats and cows have the highest infection rate. All sheep and goats are considered infected and are tested for "Q" Fever when they arrive at the University. If you are going to be working with sheep or goats, you should discuss vaccination for yourself with your physician. The areas where these animals are kept are considered off-limits to visitors. The disease is spread through the feces and urine of these animals. It gets in the air and you can breath it into your system. The highest chance of getting the disease is when working with abdomen organs. There may be little or no symptoms, to a bad cold with fever and headache to becoming very sick and in a couple of instances, dying. You should wear all of your protective clothing (mask, gloves, clothes, boots, etc.) and shower afterwards.

7. Rabies:
Rabies is throughout the United States with most dogs and cats being vaccinated. It attacks all animals including humans. Most laboratory animals are protected through vaccinations and isolation, however, wild animals may bring it into the laboratory. Rodents generally do not spread the disease through bites but most of the other animals do. They do not have to act "rabid" but may just act sick. Personnel working with dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies. Any person receiving a bite wound should first wash the wound in running water for 10 minutes using povidone-iodine scrub and then secondly, see a doctor immediately.

8. Diseases of monkeys:
Monkeys are closely related to humans and therefore, readily can transmit diseases to humans. All protective clothing should always be worn and extreme caution taken at all times. Stay alert and do everything according to your training. Do not hesitate to ask your supervisor for assistance.

Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) in monkeys is a disease similar to a disease we get called herpes simplex which produce sores on our lips. The difference is that our disease will kill them and their disease will kill us. It is transmitted through bites. The wound should be thoroughly cleaned with lots of water and a chlorine bleach solution of 1 to 10 dilution. As with any bite, immediately let your supervisor know and see your physician.

Tuberculosis is another disease shared by humans and monkeys. Wear your protective clothing and face masks to prevent exposure to the disease in the air or on objects. The animals and you will be tested regularly for the disease.

9. Tularemia:
It is a disease found in rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, beavers, deer, cats, sheep, cattle, amphibians and fish. It can be transmitted by direct contact, bites, ticks, deer flies and mosquitoes. Breaks in the skin or getting the organism in the eye can lead to an infection. While it is rare to find this disease in "Laboratory Animals", certainly the wild animals that are used at the University could be carriers or other animals could become infected by wild animal exposure. Ensuring all holes and cracks are sealed to prevent wild animals and flying insects from entering the laboratory is one of the best methods of prevention. Personnel working with animals that are considered infected or have a high risk for infection can get vaccinated for the disease.

10. Salmonellosis:
Occurs in several animals including pigeons. It is transmitted through their feces. Animals may not show signs of the disease but can still infect other animals. Disease can be very mild to diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting.

11. Diseases of birds:
Personnel working with birds should be aware that there are several diseases that you should be concerned with.

Psittacosis is a disease that almost any bird can have including chickens, turkeys and pigeons. Birds may not show much signs of the disease but can still transmit it through their feathers, excreta, etc. Avoid contact with obviously infected birds. When working with birds, wear your protective clothing including a mask and gloves.

Newcastle Disease can be transmitted from birds to humans generally through the virus getting into your eye. Face masks and washing afterwards should help to prevent it.

12. Rat bite fever:
Asymptomatic in rodents and hard to culture. Infection comes from contaminated milk or food but other animals can carry it too such as the dog or cat.

13. Cat scratch fever:
It is a slow disease that can last for several months found primarily in cats. It can occur from bites or scratches. Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and see a physician.

14. Brucellosis:
Found in dogs and farm animals. All should be tested for the disease.

15. Pasteurellosis:
Rabbits and cats can be carriers of pasteurella disease and transmit it through bites and scratches. Extra precaution should be taken to prevent bites and scratches of these animals by using appropriate handling techniques and requesting assistance when required. Bites and scratches should be thoroughly cleaned and you see a physician.

It should be obvious now that there are quite a few diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people. It rarely happens in the laboratory because everyone is aware of it and take extreme cautions. Any bite or scratch should be immediately treated, notify your supervisor and go to the doctor. Any illness, especially fevers, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. should be reported to your supervisor. It may be related to your work. Pay attention in class, listen to your supervisor, and try to do the job as you been trained .

7. Some diseases that animals can carry are not transmitted to man but can be highly contagious to other animals. E.g. pinworms, mites, mouse hepatitis virus, etc. Please use all recommended procedures when working with the animals to prevent spread of diseases from one room to another. And again, if you have contact with animals outside the animals facility, make sure you wear appropriate clothing and use proper hygiene.

8. Other biohazards relate to experiments that use infectious agents. You should find out what is being used, what care should be taken to prevent exposure and know the signs and symptoms of exposure.
    a. Physical hazards
        i. Working in and around animals presents many physical hazards to the personnel.
        ii. Some of the possible injuries are:
            (1) Bites, scratches, kicks, crushing, etc. injuries caused by animals.
            (2) Back injuries from lifting, pushing, twisting, falling.
            (3) Hearing loss.
            (4) Eye injuries.
            (5) Electrical shock.
            (6) Puncture wounds from needles, animals or equipment.
            (7) Exposure to allergens, biohazards, chemicals, or radiation.
            (8) Burns from hot or cold.
            (9) Vehicle accidents
            (10) Stress
            (11) Other trauma from broken glass, compressed tanks of gas not stored properly, explosions from ether, etc.

   b. Chemical hazards
        i. There are many chemicals that can cause cancer, damage to tissues, birth defects, etc.
        ii. These effects may not be obvious until years later such as radiation exposure.
        iii. Some of the more potent drugs/chemicals commonly used that you should be aware of are: formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, ethyl alcohol, pesticides, hexachlorophene, etc. The list goes on and on. Over hundreds of thousands.
        iv. Chemicals you use routinely to clean with are all potentially dangerous either inhaled or in contact with the eyes or skin.
        v. One group of chemicals that are dangerous are the inhalant gases. Ether is the worse. It can cause a multitude of symptoms and it is highly explosive. It remains dangerous even in tissues of animals after euthanasia. Methoxyflurane is the next toxic being nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic. Halothane is next toxic and isoflurane is the least toxic. Besides liver and kidney damage, one can get immune suppression, bone marrow suppression, enzyme induction, abortion, birth defects, pruritus and CNS disturbances. If you wear contact lens, they can absorb the gases and do further damage.

The best reference for further information is the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 1996 edition. Chapter one has a section on Occupational Health with a reference list. At the end of the Guide, there is an extensive reference list. One of the references stated is the Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals.

Better to be safe than sorry!!!

Next page is a form to be filled out and brought with you to the physical examination.

Return to SOPA - General