Program Overview
The UCR Animal Occupational Health Program (AOHP) is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of individuals involved in animal care and handling. The program’s primary objective is to identify, assess, manage, and mitigate potential health risks associated with laboratory animal research. Through comprehensive evaluations, the AOHP delivers customized recommendations to minimize the risk of illness and ensure the well-being of those working with laboratory animals.
Beginning in December 2024, UCR will adopt the Occupational Health Surveillance System (OHSS). This advanced, automated platform streamlines the process of conducting risk assessments and coordinating medical evaluations for employees and researchers exposed to animal biohazards and other workplace or laboratory hazards. The OHSS will replace the existing Medical History Questionnaire (MHQ) process, providing a more efficient, centralized, and effective approach to maintaining occupational health and safety.
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Enrollment Process
Enrollment Process
Participation in the UCR Animal Occupational Health Program (AOHP) is required for all individuals who have direct or incidental contact with laboratory animals. Enrollment begins with completing an online questionnaire through the Occupational Health Surveillance System (OHSS), which plays a vital role in identifying and addressing potential health risks.
Learn more about the Occupational Health Surveillance System (OHSS) (opens in a new tab)
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Enrollment Criteria
Enrollment Criteria:
Enrollment in the UCR Animal Occupational Health Program is mandatory for:
- Individuals listed on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols as research personnel.
- Personnel engaged in animal-related research, testing, or educational activities.
- Those with direct or incidental exposure to laboratory animals, including casual exposure.
- Individuals who directly handle laboratory animals, animal tissues, specimens, bedding, waste, or other animal-associated materials.
- Individuals whose work involves direct or reasonably anticipated exposure to animals or animal-related hazards.
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Enrollment Details for Short-Time Visitors
Enrollment Details for Short-Time Visitors:
Enrollment involves completing the AOHP questionnaire. Disclosure of personal health information is optional, and individuals may choose not to provide it if they wish.
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Health Risks Awareness
Health Risks Awareness:
Working with laboratory animals exposes personnel to various health risks, including but not limited to:
- Lab Animal Allergies and Occupational Asthma particularly to rodents or other animals are commonly in laboratory settings. Individuals with access to the vivarium should be familiar with the potential occupational health and safety risks associated with research animal exposure and UCR's Occupational Health Program. Please review the Occupational Health & Safety for Individuals with Research Animal Exposure resource for information on workplace hazards, preventive measures, and available occupational health resources.
- Post-Exposure Plans address incidents involving injuries such as bites, scratches, or other physical harm, as well as exposures resulting from handling hazardous materials associated with animal manipulation.
- UCR Animal Researchers Occupational Health Guidance for Researchers is an essential resource for Principal Investigators (PI), lab managers, and research personnel. The guidance provides mandatory lab safety and injury reporting requirements, isoflurane and hazardous gas safety resources, lab-specific safety training resources, bloodborne pathogens exposure control resources, and a summary of the PI responsibilities.
- Zoonotic Diseases Fact Sheet (link opens in a new tab) are infectious agents transmissible between humans and animals.
- Zoonotic Disease Information by Species provides information on potential zoonotic diseases and health risks associated with working with laboratory animal species and field-caught animals.
- Zoonotic Resources provides resources for healthy work practices in the vivarium, including proper hygiene, PPE, animal handling, and exposure prevention. This section also provides information on reproductive hazards that may be encountered during animal research and offers guidance on reducing exposure and accessing Occupational Health resources when concerns arise.
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UCR Animal Researchers Occupational Health Guidance for Researchers
- Information for Immunocompromised Researchers provides guidance for researchers with compromised immune systems who work with laboratory animals.
- Isoflurane and Hazardous Gas Safety provides safety guidance for researchers who work with anesthetic gases such as isoflurane.
- Lab-Specific Safety Training provides training requirements for personnel before beginning laboratory work.
- Laboratory Animal Allergies and Occupational Asthma provides guidance on preventing and managing allergies and asthma associated with laboratory animal exposure.
- Mandatory Lab Safety and Injury Reporting Requirements outlines requirements for safe work practices and reporting animal bites, injuries, and occupational exposures.
- Field Research Safety provides guidance on hazards, PPE, and exposure prevention for field research in Southern California and wildland environments.
- Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) provides information on training, exposure control, and Hepatitis B vaccination requirements for employees with BBP exposure risk.
Zoonotic Diseases Fact Sheet provides an overview of major zoonotic diseases, including transmission, symptoms, and prevention.
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Ongoing Compliance
Ongoing Compliance
Maintaining AOHP compliance is essential for a safe work environment. Participants must submit a new questionnaire under the following conditions:
- Prior to inclusion on an IACUC protocol.Before initial contact with laboratory animals.
- If there are changes in health status (e.g., worsening allergies, pregnancy).
- When exposure circumstances change (e.g., new animal models or hazards).
- Enrollment renewal is typically every three years, or sooner based on health status.
- For multiple IACUC protocols, renewal will be associated with a single Animal Use Protocol (AUP) if all hazards are listed.
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Program Oversight
Program Oversight
The UCR EH&S Occupational Health oversees the AOHP, managing the online Occupational Health Surveillance and Screening (OHSS) tool. They maintain agreements with local certified occupational health providers to offer a full range of medical surveillance services, including allergy assessments and respiratory clearances. Principal Investigators (PIs) are no longer responsible for program costs.
By following AOHP guidelines, UCR ensures a safe, healthy environment for all personnel involved in animal research. -
Immunization Requirement
Immunization Requirement: Recommendation for Tetanus
For information about the tetanus vaccine or questions, reach out to ehsocchealth@ucr.edu.
Recommendation for Rabies Vaccine
Digital Vaccine Record
Your DVR is an electronic immunization record from the California Immunization Registry (CAIR), California’s official immunization record.
For DVR requests or questions, contact ehsocchealth@ucr.edu.
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Reportable Diseases
Reportable Diseases
For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact us at ehsocchealth@ucr.edu.