The potential hazards associated with the care and use of research animals include:
- Zoonotic disease
- Animal allergens
- Physical hazards such as bites, scratches, and ergonomic hazards
- Biological, chemical, and/or radiological hazards depending on the research
The health screening program evaluates and addresses the potential personal risk of working with research animals including developing lab animal allergies. The screening must be offered to anyone who enters the animal care and use environment.
The health screening program evaluates and addresses the potential occupational health risks. Health screening is required for all faculty, staff, and students who work directly with animals. Based on the health screening, URI Health Services may recommend actions to minimize health risks (e.g., vaccine, respirator).
In addition to completing the health screening, faculty, staff, and students must complete Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) required Animal Care and Use training, and be listed on an approved IACUC Animal Protocol (for research studies).
When is completion of the health screening required?
If you plan to enter or work in an animal care and use environment, you must complete the online Health Form for Animal or Laboratory Facilities Use form:
- Prior to work in the animal care and use environment
- Every three years thereafter (Annual evaluations are completed for animal husbandry, veterinary and other designated research support staff)
- Any time a change in health status has occurred
- As otherwise directed by the occupational health nurse practitioner
The occupational health nurse practitioner provides the Office of Research Integrity with a list of people who are cleared for work.
Steps to Health Screening Program
For students:
- Login or register for the URI Patient Portal. You will find instructions on how to register/login to the patient portal on the portal home page. If you have any questions regarding portal access, feel free to contact Health Services at 401-874-2246.
- Save or print your URI Health Services immunization record from the portal (under the Immunization tab and click the ‘Print’ icon).
- Complete the Occupational Health Form located under Forms and titled Health Form for Animal or Laboratory Facilities Use.
An occupational health nurse practitioner will screen your Occupational Health Form and may contact you to discuss health issues, typically within one week of submission.
You will receive a clearance notification email from the Office of Research Integrity.
For faculty and staff:
- Complete the Occupational Health Faculty/Staff Enrollment Form (available on Internal Research Resources page) and submit to Health Services using information at bottom of form. Allow 24-48 hours for form to be processed.
- An email will be sent to you to advice to proceed to Step 3
- Login or register for the URI Patient Portal. You will find instructions on how to register/login to the patient portal on the portal home page. If you have any questions regarding portal access, feel free to contact Health Services at 401-874-2246.
- Complete the Occupational Health Form located under Forms and titled Health Form for Animal or Laboratory Facilities Use.
An occupational health nurse practitioner will screen your Occupational Health Form and may contact you to discuss health issues, typically within one week of submission.
You will receive a clearance notification email from the Office of Research Integrity.
What you need to know
If you plan to enter an animal care and use environment, you are required to submit a confidential Health Form for Animal or Laboratory Facility Use form. Renew your Form every three years or any time a change in your health status occurs. Contact the occupational health nurse practitioner with any questions or concerns at health@uri.edu or 401-874-2246 and ask for the occupational health nurse practitioner with any questions.
What you can do to stay safe
- Follow the recommendations from the occupational health nurse practitioner.
- Adhere to all workplace safety practices and procedures to help reduce exposure to animal allergens.
Lab animal allergies
Allergies are the body’s immune response from exposure to proteins called allergens. In animal settings, allergen sources include dander, fur, scales, body wastes and saliva from animals. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health estimates that about one-third of animal handlers have allergic symptoms and about 10 percent have animal-induced asthma. The goal of the health screening program is to identify and reduce individual risk of developing lab animal allergies and to help prevent existing allergies from worsening.
Reducing exposure to animal allergens involves a global approach of raising awareness and implementing workplace controls, work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). Workplace engineering controls include ventilation and biological safety cabinets. Work practice controls involve behaviors such as good hygiene and good housekeeping. PPE, such as a respirator, can help reduce inhalation of allergens.
As part of the health screening program process, an occupational health nurse practitioner can discuss your individual risk and methods for reducing exposure to animal allergens. If there is a need for a worksite evaluation or medical follow-up, we can refer you to the appropriate sources.
Contact the occupational health nurse practitioner at health@uri.edu or 401-874-2246 and ask for the occupational health nurse practitioner with any questions.