The
University of Missouri – Columbia (MU) is required by federal mandate to provide
an occupational health program for all faculty,
staff, students and others that have contact
with animals on this campus or at facilities
administrated by this campus. All personnel
must be enrolled in the program regardless
of employment status (part-time or full-time).
The extent of participation is determined
by the risks associated with animal contact
and not job title or the number of hours of
animal contact.
A
person is considered at risk if during the
course of their education, research or employment
they are exposed to live vertebrate animals
in a manner that exposes them to an increased
risk of an occupational illness, such as physical
injury, an animal allergy or exposure to a
zoonotic disease. A veterinary review panel
determines the risks associated with each
enrolled person. As a general rule, individuals
that work with animals as a component of their
employment should be enrolled in the program.
Students whose exposure to animals is associated
with a teaching exercise are not normally
required to enroll in the program but should
be provided with information on health and
injury associated issues relative to the species
to which they are exposed. Faculty are responsible
for providing this information in the classroom.
Upon
enrollment, all personnel will be asked to
see a health care professional that will tailor
a specific preventative health care from for
the individual. This program is based upon
the risks as determined by the veterinary
review panel and the individual’s medical
history. The individual health history is
not part of the veterinary review panel’s
risk assessment and is seen only by the health
care official and is considered confidential
and for that office’s use only.
Following
risk assessment, medical review and preventative
medical procedures (if required) the individual’s
supervisor will receive a summary of the person’s
risks and required training. It is the responsibility
of the supervisor to ensure the individual
is properly trained to reduce the risks associated
with working with animals.
Annual
review of risks and preventative measures
is required.
