Risk Assessment
 The OUHSC has institutional policies and procedures to evaluate the dangers associated with the use of hazardous biologic, chemical or physical agents. Programmatic safeguards against these agents are in place and guide the enrollment of personnel in the occupational health and safety program. All protocols involving the use of chemical, biological or radioactive agents in animals housed at Comparative Medicine must include the Institutional Biohazard Committee (IBC) verification of approval for research involving recombinant DNA, gene therapy, microorganisms and biological toxins. Investigators using radioisotopes must first be licensed for their use through the Radiation Safety Office. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), whose membership includes the University’s Environmental Health and Safety Officer, evaluates investigators’ qualifications to use infectious organisms or toxic chemicals. If a study involves handling hazardous microorganisms, the principle investigator must submit a standard operating procedure describing the safety precautions in place to protect the animal care staff. For work at Biosafety Level 2 and above, the principal investigator must certify that exposure evaluation forms are completed and that laboratory and support personnel receive appropriate training in the potential hazards associated with their research work.
Risk assessment is a necessary step toward creating a safe working environment and requires the completion of the Animal Handler’s Questionnaire. The form is filled out by individuals who are responsible for the direct care of animals or their living quarters, and by those who have direct contact with live or dead research animals and their viable tissues, body fluids, or wastes. These categories include veterinary care and animal husbandry staff, faculty, students and staff listed on approved animal protocols, and all IACUC committee members. Other individuals who may be incidentally exposed to animals in the performance of their duties are advised to complete the forms during the mandatory new employee training. Yearly refresher courses, a requirement for all employees, include a review of information about animal behavior
and handling. Animal Handler’s forms are available online at:
http://www.ouhsc.edu/iacuc/documents/RiskAssess-001.doc, or may be picked up at the IACUC Office (BMSB rm. 207). The competed risk assessment form should be returned to a supervisor or directly to the IACUC Office. The form is forwarded to OUHSC Employee Health Services for review by the occupational health nurse or physician, who may include clinical comments on the form’s reverse side. The nurse then contacts the animal handler and the appropriate health service providers to arrange for the necessary immunizations and medical evaluations.
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