Occupational Health Program for Animal Handlers

The 麻豆社 occupational health program for personnel who handle or work with live vertebrate animals is a joint responsibility of the 麻豆社 Wellness Center (Health & Wellness), Research Integrity Services (RIS), and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS).

Each 麻豆社 employee (faculty, staff, or student) handling or working with live vertebrate animals as part of their position responsibilities or a research project must participate in the 麻豆社 Occupational Health Program for Animal Care Personnel. For students in courses, participation is the course instructor's decision.

Prior to handling or working with live vertebrate animals at 麻豆社, applicable individuals need to:

  • Complete the online  (provide ALL requested information) Note: Applicants need to have had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years.
  • If applicable, respond promptly to communication about providing missing information and/or obtaining medical services (e.g., tetanus immunization) necessary to receive occupational health program approval to handle and/or work with live vertebrate animals; and
  • Wait for notification from RIS to the applicable project investigator/instructor or animal facility manager of approval prior to handling or working with live vertebrate animals.

Medical treatment for employees with acute health concerns, illness, or injury is provided by the 麻豆社 Wellness Center (Health & Wellness) and/or the employee鈥檚 primary care provider. The occupational health program for animal handlers includes the following:

  1. Medical/work history
  2. Physical examinations (for students only at the 麻豆社 Wellness Center) and immunizations (at the discretion of the attending healthcare provider)
  3. Reporting of illnesses or injuries
  4. Maintenance of individual health records
  5. Surveillance program for zoonotic diseases
  6. Monitoring of hazardous substances
  7. Employee occupational health education program, and
  8. Personal health regulations

The 麻豆社 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee has developed guidelines for biological and personal safety when working with vertebrate animals at 麻豆社.

Contact Dean Elder, Director, Animal Resources Office at (603) 862-4629, Julie Simpson, Director, Research Integrity Services, or Susan Jalbert, Compliance Officer, Research Integrity Services with questions about the occupational health program for vertebate animal care personnel.

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Contact Information

Dean Elder, MS, DVM, Director
Animal Resources Office
Rudman Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-4629
Email: dean.elder@unh.edu

Julie Simpson, Director
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 117
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Email: julie.simpson@unh.edu

Susan Jalbert, Compliance Officer
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 117
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Email: susan.jalbert@unh.edu