MU provides an Occupational Health and Safety Program for faculty, staff, students and others that are at a greater health risk because of their contact with animals. This document outlines general precautions that all personnel working with animals must follow while working with animals, animal tissues and fluids and in and around the animals’ quarters.

Participate in the MU Occupational Health and Safety Program. All employees are required to enroll in the MU Occupational Health and Safety Program. Following enrollment, a member of the Veterinary Review Panel evaluates each person’s risks and specific procedures for risk reduction are recommended. Follow these recommendations and ask questions of your supervisor or the veterinary staff of the Office of Animal Resources (OAR) regarding any aspect of the procedures or risks you do not understand.

Prevent injury.

Working with and around animals can be dangerous. Animal facilities have a variety of equipment and chemicals in use that if used improperly may cause injury. All personnel should be ever vigilant for the possibility of personal injury. Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), hazard warning signs, labels and special instructions (written and verbal) while working with and around animals and animal related equipment.

Wear protective clothing.

One of the risks associated with working with and around animals and their tissues or excreta is the possibility of exposure to allergens and diseases. Wearing street clothes while performing this work increases your exposure, your family and possibly your pets. It is the responsibility of your department, research facility or college to provide and launder protective clothing or uniforms so that you do not take home allergens or potential animal disease. Never take or wear uniforms home or launder this clothing at your home. Employees that provide day-to-day husbandry care for animals should be provided uniforms and laundry service for these uniforms. Employees and students must wear these uniforms while performing husbandry and animal care duties. Personnel not performing husbandry and animal care duties but otherwise exposed to animals must wear laboratory coats while in animal quarters, laboratories or otherwise manipulating or using animals. Personnel performing livestock care duties, experimentation or animal manipulations should wear suitable clothing for their duties and change prior to leaving the farm to prevent disease and allergen spread. Uniforms are recommended. Institutional laundry service is required. Open toed shoes constitute and safety risk and are not to be worn in an animal facility or farm.

Use personal protective devices.

Often, specialized personal protective devices are required while working around some animals or while using animals with hazardous agents or irradiation. Specific animal studies may require the use of additional personal protection. Always know and follow additional safety precautions. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator, your supervisor or various compliance organizations on the MU campus to make you aware of additional safety precautions. Hearing protection is required while working with dogs in their holding rooms. Work with biohazards, radiation or non-human primates require additional protection and precautions. Use and wear personal protective devices as required by protocol, SOP or direct verbal or written instructions.

Wash your hands.

A variety of diseases transmitted from animals to man are done so via the hands. Bare hands also lead to direct allergen contact with animals. Therefore, any time you handle animals, their cages, tissues, fluids or wastes, it is advisable to were exam gloves whenever possible. If it is unfeasible to wear gloves while performing your animal related duties, never put your hands in or near you mouth and always wash your hands immediately after handling the animal or animal related tissue or equipment.

Dispose of sharps and needles properly.

Another very common method of injury, infection, allergy or disease in and around animals and animal facilities is accidental stick with a needle or other sharp. Recapping needles dramatically increases your risk of exposure. Following use of a syringe and needle or other sharp, dispose of the entire syringe and needle or other sharp device in a properly labeled sharps container without recapping or replacing the protective covering. Using the same needle multiple times in different animals increases the risk of spreading disease and infection among the animals in which the same needle was used. The use of multi-dose syringes are discouraged because of the animal and personnel risks associated with their use.

Do not work alone.

Because of the dangers and associated risks of working with and around some species of animals, you should never work alone while working with farm animals, dogs, cats, non-human primates and any other species that can cause great bodily harm. Equipment operated on farms and animal facilities such as cattle chutes, autoclaves and cage washers, can be dangerous and can cause serious injury. Never work alone around dangerous equipment or always inform someone of where you are.

Know the facts.

When your risk assessment is conducted by the Veterinary Review Panel, you and your supervisor will be provided with information on how to reduce your risks associated with the type of work you do and they species of animals with which you work. It is you and your supervisor’s responsibilities to know and understand your risks and to follow the recommendations by the Panel to reduce your risks. If you feel you do not have enough information or would like more information, contact the Office of Animal Resources at 882-3111.

Report all injuries and illnesses.

Any injury occurring while doing animal work or around animal equipment or facilities should be reported to your supervisor or physician. Minor cuts, scrapes or sticks may result in severe infection, disease transmission or allergic reaction if left unattended. All animal bites and scratches must be reported. Any injury that occurs while working with or around non-human primates, their cages, excreta, tissue or fluids must be reported immediately. Simple repetitive tasks that may cause chronic injury should be avoided and alternative procedures to reduce the repetitiveness should be instituted. Lifting and pushing heavy, awkward equipment or supplies should be avoided. Always lift using proper technique and no more than you can safely handle.

OHSP for Animal Care & Use Personnel | Animal Use Precautions | Common Laboratory Rodents | Non-Human Primates (Monkeys) | Allergies & Working With Animals