Occupational Health Program

Purpose

The purpose of an occupational health program is to help to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Working with laboratory animals presents potential hazards or problems such as allergies, physical hazards, chemical hazards, and or zoonotic hazards.

About CSUEB Occupational Health Program

All animal users are required to participate in the CSUEB Occupational Health and Safety program (OH&S) by completing any required health screenings and clearances. This includes Principal Investigators (PIs), student researchers, and Animal Care employees. CSUEB is partnered with CCCMA at St. Rose Occupational Health Clinic to provide these services for PIs and the Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) for matriculated student researchers. Screenings and clearances may vary depending on the species of animals and the nature of work being done. For more information or specific requirements, contact Danika LeDuc at danika.leduc@csueastbay.edu.

Procedures

Initial Assessment Process

• The Principal Investigator will submit an Animal Care and Use Protocol in which they will include information on risks within their work environment including the following:
  • The functional demands and environmental factors associated with the work to be performed.
  • The potential for exposure to animals.
  • Other potential work-site health and safety hazards (i.e., biological, chemical agents, bloodborne pathogens).
  • General safety training.
• Following approval of the Animal Care and Use Protocol, the PI will be required to meet with a staff member in Environmental Health & Safety to complete a risk assessment and develop a detailed list of training requirements for all members specific to the PIs lab. Contact Lyanh Luu, lyanh.luu@csueastbay.edu with any questions about completing a risk assessment.

After the PI accepts the Risk Assessment, the PI and any person working in their lab completes the confidential OH&S Health Questionnaire and takes it with them to their appointment at either CCCMA Occupational Clinic or SHCS.

On-going Assessments

• The need for additional reviews, evaluations, and services will be determined by the Occupational Health medical professional based on risk and health history.
• The Principal Investigator is responsible for updating the risk assessment when there are changes in work assignments (i.e., change in species, contact levels) for participants.
• Individuals listed on Animal Care and Use Protocols are responsible for updating their personal health records.

Tracking

• The IACUC Office is responsible for verifying that individuals listed on a protocol have complied with the Occupational Health Program requirements. Completion dates are provided to the IACUC Office from EH&S.

Training

• Individuals listed on an Animal Care and Use Protocol will be provided access to information regarding the following:
  • The availability of medical evaluations and treatment
  • Information regarding allergic reactions and relevant zoonoses based on their particular animal exposures

Occupational Health Program Requirements

CITI Training

• The CITI trainings assist CSU East Bay in fulfilling and ensuring that we provide the necessary information and quality trainings to our research staff and student researchers. CITI trainings are to be completed by PIs, research staff, and student researchers prior to beginning research work with live vertebrates. The training requirements vary depending on the level of work being done and the type of vertebrate animals being used. Information on the specific training requirements required can be answered by the Animal Care Facility Coordinator.
• CITI trainings include, but are not limited to:
  • Working with the IACUC
  • Working with mice in research
  • Working with rats in research
• More information on CITI trainings can be found at the CITI Program Website

University Training

• Environmental Protection & Hazardous Waste Management
• Vivarium Safety Quiz