Occupational Hazards Associated with the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals

All personnel working with animals must participate in this educational and risk assessment program. This program is designed to prevent unnecessary occupational hazards in the work environment, including the potential risks which are incurred due to contact with laboratory animals. The EHS is located in the Emory University Hospital (EUH) (404-686-7941)

Individuals who are employed by Emory in health or research related positions with potential occupational exposure to communicable and vaccine preventable diseases must provide documentation of previous immunization or be tested for immunity within 10 days of employment. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) law requires that new employees who are hired into positions in which they may have bloodborne pathogen exposure must be offered the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Immunization within ten business days of the date they start working. See Emory University's Immunization Policy for more information.

Exposure to animals may induce the development of allergies to animal dander or excretions. Individuals who develop allergies are at risk for the development of asthma and should immediately consult EHS. The development of allergies can be minimized by reducing ones exposure to dander and excretions by utilizing protective clothing and gloves when handling animals, using specified equipment as trained, and minimizing exposure to airborne dusts, dander, cautery fumes, etc..

Diseases transmitted from animals to man (i.e. zoonotic diseases) also represent a risk to personnel. Though not common, these diseases can have significant health consequences when contracted by personnel. There are numerous zoonotic diseases, however the potential for exposure has been decreased by the use of commercial animal vendors that have eliminated zoonotic diseases from their colonies. In general laboratory animals have the potential for harboring zoonotic diseases. Personnel wearing protective clothing/handwear and who wash their hands after exposure to animals will substantially reduce the potential for transmission. Other preventive measures are to not eat while in the animal facility, not applying makeup, or placing contact lenses. Eating in animal use areas is prohibited unless personnel are in the break room or in administrative areas. Proper sharps management practices should be followed. All personnel should discard used sharps (needles, scalpels) immediately after use. Recapping needles or the improper disposal of scalpels presents a hazard to the user and other personnel in the facility. Mouth pipetting of hazardous materials should be replaced with manually operated devices.

Staff who are immunocompromised (from any cause including: HIV, steroids, chemotherapy, post transplant, certain arthritis medications etc.) may be at increased risk of acquiring opportunistic zoonotic infection and are strongly encouraged to discuss that risk with their treating physician or can discuss with EHS.

The American Veterinary Medical Association provides a brochure on "What You Should Know About Toxoplasmosis". The Center for Disease Control also has brochures on "Toxoplasmosis: An Important Message for Women" and "Toxoplasmosis: An Important Message for Cat Owners".

Transmission of the organism to man usually occurs from contact with the fluids and products associated with the birth of lambs from infected ewes.

The following recommendations are made to minimize the possibility of transmission from potentially infected animals to humans. Protective measures are most important when handling a ewe and the birth products at the time of parturition.

Manifestations of laboratory animal allergy include dermaititis, urticaria, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and asthma. Risk factors for development of occupational allergy include family history of allergies, history of seasonal allergy, and smoking. Animal bites, airborne bedding dust, cautery fumes and other respiratory exposures are the major sources of symptoms. Exposures should be decreased through exhaust ventilation, work practices, protecting street clothes from contamination through the use of protective outerwear, and gloves. HEPA filter respirators or masks may be considered as means of preventing allergy in the work place.

The supervisor/lab director should be informed as soon as possible after cleansing the wound. The supervisor/lab director should:

If death of a rabies suspect occurs, identification should be confirmed, and the animal refrigerated in cold storage. A University Veterinarian should be contacted immediately for completion of paperwork and initiation of procedures to have the deceased animal checked for rabies.

In order to prevent Macaque bites/scratches chemical restraint is required before handling any primate. Physically active macaques should not be handled by investigative personnel at any time. It is also important to utilize protective clothing and wear hand protection when in primate housing areas.

Directions to EHS:
Wing H, Room HB53
Entering EUH from Asbury Circle, use the "H" elevators and go down to the Sub Basement (SB) level. Go to your right and follow the signs to HB53 - Employee Health Services.

Hours of operation - 7AM to 4PM.
If after hours, proceed immediately to the EUH Emergency Room (phone 2-7100).

Program may vary, depending on exposures or concerns of animal workers:

The individual receiving an on the job injury must complete a Emory Incident Report in order to be eligible for Workmen's Compensation. This includes animal bites or any other injury which occurs on the job.

For any employee to receive Workmen's Compensation in the form of payment for medical treatment and/or loss of time, a Emory Incident Report must be filled out and sent along with the employee for treatment. Any breakdown in this procedure could well cause an employee to lose Workmen's Compensation Benefits or be delayed in receiving them. This includes animal bites or any other injury occurring on the job.

If medical treatment is required the employee can receive treatment in the EUH Emergency Room, from EHS, or from his personal physician

Acute emergencies should be treated in the EUH Emergency Room by dialing "911" while on campus and asking for Emergency Service. The individual should only be moved by medical authorities unless a delay in movement may prove to be detrimental to the individual.

If accidents/injuries occur during non-regular working hours, treatment can be obtained from the EUH Emergency Room. A Emory Incident Report must be submitted on the first regular working day after the incident.

If the incident is due to an animal bite refer to General Animal Bite Management.

Eating and drinking are prohibited in animal quarters and other areas where laboratory animals or hazardous agents are utilized. Eating and drinking within the laboratory animal facility is only permitted in administrative office space and in employee break rooms. Smoking is prohibited in all University facilities.

Personnel working with non human primates are also required to wear surgical type face masks and goggles/glasses (or full face shields), and shoe covers which are available in all NHP facilities. Gloves (vinyl/latex) should always be worn when handling primates or equipment contaminated by primates.