LAM-relevant texts that “mandate” an OHS program:  All but the AWA

2.  Federal Occupational Health & Safety Requirements

•       Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970

o   Creation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- (nongovernment employers)

•       Establishes protective occupational standards & enforces them through inspection & monetary penalties

•       Most important federal standards governing OHS- OSHA standard 29 CFR Part 1910

•       29 CFR 1910.1030- blood borne pathogens

•       29 CFR 1910.1450- hazardous chemicals

•       29 CFR 1910.101- compressed gases

•       29 CFR 1910.132 - 1910.140- PPE

o   Creation of NIOSH

•       Conduct research on & make recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease & injuries

•       Publishes hazard specific guidance

o   Occupational Safety & Health Act section 19

•       Office of Federal Agency Programs (OFAP)- oversight of OHS

•       Revised OSHA 300 series forms

·       Occupational Health records:

·       Adverse-reaction reports:  each worksite determines its own threshold for reporting adverse reactions (such as accidents)

o   Maintained by the Environmental Health & Safety Office

o   Reviewed by the Occ Health Office to determine whether a medical evaluation is needed

·       First-Aid Log:

o   Maintained by supervisors at the worksite

o   Contains all non-recordable minor injuries

o   Those treated outside the internal Occ. Health unit

·       First report of injury or illness:

o   Acceptable alternative to the OSHA Form 301 that employers are required to maintain

o   Inform insurers of injury or illness

·       OSHA 300 Log:  a log of work-related injuries and illnesses

o   An injury is recordable if it results in:

§  Death of an employee

§  Loss of consciousness

§  Lost work time (does not have to be incurred for an event to be recordable)

§  Placement on restricted duty

§  Any treatment beyond first aid

§  All recognized occupational illnesses are recordable

o   Note: a Supplementary Record of Occupational Injury or Illness (OSHA Form 301) must be prepared and kept by employers for each OSHA 300 log entry; this record contains detailed information concerning the illness in question.

·       Occupational Health Log:  record of periodic and episodic visits to occ health clinic.

o   Periodic visits:  routine, scheduled visits for preventive care, such as immunizations.

o   Episodic visits:  visits needed due to work-related illness or injury.

3. Chapter 1:

·       Created by the Committee on Occupational Safety and Health in research Animal Facilities which is part of Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) of the National Research Council.

·       To promote occupational health and safety by recognizing and considering hazards and health risks associated with the care and use of research animals.

·       Serves as an introductory guide to hazards associated with the care and use of research animals.

4. Chapter 2:

·       OHSP Goal – To prevent occupational injury and illness.

·       An effective OHSP is based on seven basic concepts: Knowing the Hazards; Avoiding and controlling exposures; Training and Education; Rules and Guidelines; Consistency; Recordkeeping and Monitoring; Commitment and coordination

·       Accountability and responsibility

o   The institution- the senior official (or authorized body) has ultimate responsibility for providing a healthful/safe work environment and must:

o   Program managers- SMEs in health/safety issues- have authority to implement and enforce the program

o   Program implementers – training

o   Employees   safety is everyone’s concern

·       An institution that uses animals in research is responsible for 5 activities: Animal care & use; Research; Environmental health & safety; Occupational Health; Administration & Management

·       Creating an occ health program:

o   Priority list

§  1^O prevention – achieved by controlling or eliminating hazards, the quality/effectiveness of an occ health program depends on how well resources are distributed  to promote hazard control strategies

§  2^O prevention – premorbid case detection (less desirable) (you've been exposed, now we're treating you with anti-virals as a preventative (but we don't know if you are infected)

§  3^O prevention – case finding and disease management (less desirable). You've been exposed and are sick from infection, so we are treating you now.

5.  Chapter 3: Hazards – 4 categories of workplace hazards: Biological; Physical; Chemical; Work Place Related / Psychosocial

A. Physical Hazards

·       Bites, scratches, kicks, sharps, pressure valves, lighting, electricity, ergonomic hazards, machinery

·       Flammables - The national fire protection association (NFPA) has classified fires into 4 types:

·       Class A – combustible materials - animal bedding, paper gowns, lab wipes

·       Class B – flammable liquids and gases - such as cleaning solutions or anesthetic liquids

o   Flashpoint: temp at which a liquid produces enough vapors sufficient to propagate a flame

o   Combustible: a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 100°F but less than 200°F

o   Flammable:  a liquid with a flashpoint less than 100°F

·       Class C – electrical - electronic stuff like computers, lighting, etc

·       Class D – flammable metals - such as potassium or sodium

·       Ionizing Radiation:

·       To be classified, must have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms & create ions.

·       Can cause chemical changes harmful to living organisms

·       2 classifications:

o   Particulate

§  Alpha particles=2 neutrons/2 protons….can’t penetrate skin

§  Beta particles=electrons…can damage skin and eyes

o   Nonparticulate

§  X-rays=from electron dislocation

§  Gamma rays=from nuclear decay

·       Radiation is a hazard through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or proximity

·       Use of radionucleotide is strictly controlled by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commisssion (US Congress 1971)

·       Ultraviolet Radiation:

·       Window glass is effective at blocking UV light at wavelengths below 320nm (UV-B and UV-C), unless it is coming from a very intense source

·       UV-A:  (black light), 320-400nm, pigmentation of skin – comes from sunlight/black light   

·       UV-B:  (erythemal region), 280-320nm, photokeratitis, cataracts, erythema –  comes from sunlight

·       UV-C:  (germicidal region), 100-280nm, germicidal effects - comes from germicidal lamps

·       UV radiation reacts with vapors of chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, trichlorethane, and CFCs) to produce phosgene, a potent lung irritant.

·       Lasers  (ANSI classifications):

·       LASER: Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation

·       ANSI: The American National Standards Institute  (also does fume hoods and goggles)

·       Classifications:

o   Class I: no hazardous radiation

o   Class II: not enough power to injure someone accidentally, but can cause injury if viewed for extended period of time

o   Class IIIa: can cause injury if viewed with binoculars

o   Class IIIb: can cause injury if viewed directly

o   Class IV: can start fires

·       Noise and Hearing:

·       Chronic noise-induced hearing loss (reduced sensitivity to frequencies above 2 kHz)= a permanent condition and cannot be treated medically

·       85 dBA: Exposed employees need to participate in a hearing-conservation program that includes monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, training, and record-keeping

·       90 dBA:  OSHA limit for employee exposure to noise averaged over an 8-hour workshift (29 CFR)

·       Engineering controls:  should be applied first to control the hazard.  Quieter machines, shielding, etc.

·       Administrative controls:  PPE or limitation of the amount of time an employee can remain in that area

·       OSHA covers noise at all frequencies below 20kHz.  Even at >20kHz, there may be audible subharmonics

B. Chemical Hazards

·       Burns and irritation of the skin are the most common chemical injuries associated with animal care and use

·       See warning signs at end of summary

C. Protocol Related Hazards

·       Biological Agents:

·       Respiratory (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, influenza, hantaviruses, Q fever), dermal, ingestion (Shigella, Salmonell, Campy – all bacterial zoonotic agents)  

·       accidental self-innoculation exposures –sharps,bites,scratches - (Pasteurella, B. virus, Bartonella henselae)

·       Protocols involving infectious agents

·       BMBL

·       Animal Biosafety Levels:

·       ABSL 1:  well-characterized agents that are not known to cause disease in healthy humans

·       ABSL 2:  moderate-risk agents (indigenous) that cause human disease by percutaneous, mucous membrane or ingestion

·       ABSL 3:  risks of respiratory transmission and that can cause serious and potentially lethal infections (indigenous or exotic).  Aerosol transmission–high likelihood of morbidity and/or mortality unless treated (supportive, antibiotics, antivirals, etc) – vaccines available

·       ABSL 4: exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of life-threatening disease by aerosol route where no treatment is available

6.  Chapter 4:

·       Allergens:

·       Species that can provoke allergies (only noted if agent is route/agent confirmed):

o   Rat n 1:  Rat urinary protein.  Disturbance of litter aerosolizes little clouds that float for 15-25 min.

o   Mus m 1:  Mouse urinary protein.  100x more concentrated in urine than in serum.   Males secrete 4x as much in urine as females do.

o   Guinea pig allergen:  urine (major allergen), dander and saliva (both minor allergens).

o   Rabbit allergen: Glycoprotein in fur (major allergen), saliva and urine (both minor allergens).

o   Fel d 1:  Cats made in sebaceous glands, coats hair, also produced in saliva.  NOT in urine.  Very persistent in environment – requires 20 weeks to fade away.

o   Can f 1:  Dog protein present in saliva, hair, and skin.  NOT in urine.  (Dog albumin is also allergenic).

o   Birds allergen:  Allergen protein found in pigeon serum and droppings; hypersensitivity pneumonitis several hours after repeated exposure to bird antigens.  Mediated by IgG, not IgE.  Fever, chills. myalgia, coughing, etc.

·       Prevention of Allergies:

·       Methods to test for IgE

o   Skin test:  proteins in saline; look for wheal and flare response within 15 minutes.

o   Serologic: persons serum is incubated with the relevant allergenic protein bound to a support material, binding of IgE antibodies to substrate, anti-IgE antibody with reporter added.

o   RAST:  Radioallergosorbant Test.

o   ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

·       Facility design:

o   Airborne-allergen load in the animal room depends on the rate of production, which is a function of the numbers of animals present, & the rate of removal, which is a function of ventilation

o   Increase in relative humidity from 54% to 77%=lower airborne allergen exposure

o   Caging type; filter top, ventilated rack system, exhaust air through HEPA filter

·       Work practices:

o   Education & codes of practice

o   Use of noncontact absorbent pads, rather than such wood-based contact litter ie chips & sawdust will reduce airborne concentrations of rat urine allergens.

o   Selection of job assignments is the first step to minimize exposure of people who have become sensitized or have developed symptoms

§  Up to 10% of animal handlers will develop asthma due to allergens, dust, genetic susceptibility

o   Personal protective equipment:

§  Use of personal protective equipment & clothing can minimize the chance of sensitization. Surgical (cloth or paper) disposable masks are probably not effective.

§  At a minimum, symptomatic workers should use dust-mist respirator certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health should be required to control symptoms

§  Employees using effective respiratory protection (respirators) will need respiratory fit-testing & medical clearance

7. Chapter 5:

·       Zoonoses

o   Transmission of zoonotic disease in the laboratory-animal environment is uncommon - this is largely due to collaborating work at institutions between laboratory and animal industry

o   Personnel hygiene and PPE are critical barriers to the transmission of zoonoses and should be reinforced routinely

o   Most frequent zoonotic infectious dzs in lab animal workers:  dermatophytes (ringworm) dt dog/cat/rabbit/cattle exposure

8. Chapter 6:

·       Principal Elements of an Occupational Health and Safety Program

o   Administrative procedures

§  Hazard review part of IACUC processes

§  Consider EHOS professional on IACUC

o   Facility design & operation

o   Special consideration to HVAC, Space arrangement/layout, Support areas, Traffic pattern, Access to utility/mechanical space, Ergonomic hazards

o   Occ Health Care Providers

·       Certified industrial hygienists – academic training + 4y work experience + certification exam

·       Recertified q 5y

·       Infection Control Biosafety Officer: Appointed by institution to oversee biosafety risk mgmt. Required to have BSO if funded by NIH and conduct research w/ recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules designated for use in BSL 3 or BLS 4 or engage in research/production activities w/ >10L of this material

§  Elimination – Physically remove hazard – most effective control

§  Substitution – replace the hazard

§  Engineering controls- isolate workers from the hazard such as installing chemical fume hoods

·       Administrative controls – Change the way people work such as modifying work practices to minimize exposure potential- Most important element in controlling exposures

·       Personal protective equipment- barrier bw workers and hazards that can't otherwise be controlled- Final measure for controlling exposure and least effective control

·       Higher injury rates in vet residents and lab workers w/ <2y experience

o   Education and training

o   Equipment performance

§  Program for certifying and monitoring equipment should include:

o   chemical fume hoods

o   biological safety cabinets and HEPA filters

·       National Sanitation Foundation certification guidelines for BSC

§  Tested & certified after installation, movement, at least annually

o   Ultraviolet radiation of 254-nanometer wavelength to control airborne & surface microorganisms

·       Cleaned weekly, monitored at least annually

o   Information management

o   Emergency procedures

§  All institutions should have an emergency response plan

§  Emergency response plan defines

o   employee responsibilities

o   interactions between responders

o   sequence of response procedures

o   availability of emergency equipment

§  Procedures should be written and TESTED

§  Typical hierarchy for response will be to protect the personnel, then animals, then animal facility and surrounding buildings

§  Plan should include provisions for temporary housing at alternate buildings/facilities in the area

o   Program evaluation

§  Requested by the senior official

o   Based on objective data- injury and illness data, regulatory compliance performance, exposure monitoring data, training records

·       Federal requirements & guidelines for occupational health-care services

Time-Weighted Average (TWA) 8 hour period. TWA for formaldehyde 0.75ppm

Short-Term Exposure Level (STEL) allowed in 15minute period. STEL for formaldehyde 2.0ppm

·       Occupational Medicine Services

o   Preplacement evaluation

o   Medical exam done after offer employment to new worker (not exam 1^st and then job offer)

o   Purpose – determine if there are any medical conditions that will require accommodation in workplace for employee to work safely w/o danger to themselves or others

·       Baseline Testing

o   No reg requirements for baseline testing

·       Training and Evaluation

o   Review SDS (Safety Data Sheets) and access to professional advice for specific concerns

·       Monitoring and Surveillance

o   Screening for Animal Allergies – conduct in first 2-3 years of employment (when many cases develop)

o   Screening for Occupational Asthma – evaluation could include spirometry testing of lung fx, w/ bronchodilator response testing if the baseline spirometry shows a decrease of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), or methacholine challenge if spirometry appears normal