Occupational Health and Safety

• Allergies
• Physical Hazards
• Biological, Chemical, Radiological
• Special Health Concerns

Identifying Hazards

The AUHSP Working Group holds monthly meetings to evaluate all Protocol Review and Amendment Forms submitted for IACUC approval to identify occupational health and safety concerns. Animal facility inspections are conducted by facility managers, EH&S, CARE, and IACUC members on an semi-annual basis. EH&S reviews incident reports submitted by individuals working with animals. The risk assessment form must be completed by all faculty, staff, students, visiting scholars, contractors, and volunteers who have direct or indirect exposure to Cornell-owned vertebrate research and training animals.

Allergies

Individuals with preexisting allergic conditions face a greater risk of developing allergies to animals. Most common symptoms include nasal discharge, itchy eyes, and skin rashes. If ignored, reactions can lead to more severe symptoms, such as asthma (cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath) and may persist beyond the period of animal exposure. In extreme cases, life-threatening anaphylactic reactions can occur. The Cornell AUHSP has a fact sheet on Allergy Prevention available in print by contacting Gannett Health Services, Cornell EH&S, CARE, or the Cornell IACUC.

Physical Hazards

Animal bites, kicks and scratches

Bites and scratches are the most common physical hazards encountered when working with animals, especially with dogs, cats, or rodents. Kicks and crushing injuries occur more frequently with larger species, such as horses or cows. In many cases, these physical hazards are preventable by following safe practices to ensure proper animal handling. Recommendations on how to proceed in the case of an animal-related injury are provided in CARE SOP 707 - Animal Related Injury.

Sharps

Sharps pose a risk for personnel working with animals. Special care is needed when using needles and scalpel blades to avoid injuries. Puncture-resistant, leakproof disposal containers need to be available wherever sharps are used. Special recommendations on the safe handling and disposal of sharps are posted in CARE SOP 711 - Sharps Precautions.

Biological, Chemical, Radiological

Biological hazards

Unless experimentally infected with a zoonotic agent, research animals generally carry a limited number of infectious microorganisms of concern to animal users. Specific zoonotic hazards are outlined on the CARE Zoonoses web page. General recommendations for identifying and preventing hazards during field studies are outlined in an AUHSP fact sheet on Field studies.

Chemical hazards

Chemical hazards such as disinfectants, fixatives, pesticides, anesthetic gases, as well as toxic chemicals, are commonly used for experimental purposes and require conscious handling. When using chemicals, personnel should wear appropriate protective equipment, and be familiar with the information summarized in the specific Material Safety Data Sheets.

Radiological hazards

Radiation is another hazard for those exposed to X rays, gamma rays, or radioactive isotopes. Appropriate training and the use of personnel protective equipment are required. The Office of Radiation Safety of the Department of EH&S at Cornell University should be contacted for assistance before using radioactive materials in animal facilities or if an accidental exposure occurs.

Special Health Concerns

Individuals with certain health problems/conditions may be at an increased risk if exposed to infectious agents. Some examples of these conditions include: immunosuppression, pregnancy, liver disease, respiratory or kidney disease, or heart problems.