DEFINITION

For purposes of this memorandum "employees with substantial animal contact" is defined to include all full-time, part-time, and temporary faculty, administrative, professional, clerical and service staff, and students in employment status, who have contact with animals or by-products directly derived from animals used in research, teaching, or testing (including but not necessarily limited to tissues, blood, urine, or feces), for ten hours per week or more on an average annual basis, in the course of their employment. Further, such research, teaching, or testing is being performed as part of projects which are covered by one or more protocols approved by PACUC. It is the responsibility of the department head and the principal investigator to identify individuals who meet these criteria.

POLICY

In recognition of the recommendations of the Purdue Animal Care and Use Committee and the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources/National Research Council, as expressed in the U.S. DHHS Publication, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publication No. 86-23, Revised 1985), Purdue University has established an occupational health program for employees with substantial animal contact.

This program is mandatory for personnel in the course of their employment whether they are full-time, part-time, temporary, or students with employment status. The program includes pre-placement medical examinations, annual examinations, and special examinations, as needed.

This program shall supplement, not replace, existing department programs. Where this program is in conflict with a department program, the more stringent of the two shall apply. Department programs shall be approved by the Purdue University Animal Care and Use Committee.

The Vice President for Physical Facilities and the Vice President for Research shall be responsible for the overall implementation and maintenance of this program. Animal care facility supervisors, principal investigators, department heads, and the Laboratory Animal Veterinarian(s) are responsible for implementation and maintenance of the program at the departmental level. Individuals having concerns regarding the implementation of the occupational health program should first contact their supervisor, then either the Laboratory Animal Veterinarian(s) or the Head of Radiological and Environmental Management. The Purdue Animal Care and Use Committee shall review issues related to the program and, if necessary, shall make recommendations for its revision.

All personnel with animal contact shall receive regular information about zoonoses, personal hygiene, job safety, and other considerations. Employees with substantial animal contact are required to have pre-employment and annual physical examinations and medical tests, and are eligible for special examinations if a job-related illness is suspected. At termination of employment such employees' medical records shall be reviewed by the Occupational Health Physician to determine the need for any additional occupational health procedures.

PROCEDURES

1. For employees at the West Lafayette campus, pre-placement, annual, and special physical examinations, and procedures necessary at termination of employment, will take place at the office of the Occupational Health Physician. Contact the Physical Facilities Personnel office for the location for examinations and to obtain copies of Form 89. The employing department shall state on Form 89, "Request for Occupational Medical Services", that the examination is for an employee with substantial animal contact and whether the examination is pre-placement, annual, or special. For special examinations, Form 89 must be signed by a Laboratory Animal Veterinarian or the Head of Radiological and Environmental Management. Regional campuses will make appropriate arrangements for these procedures.

2. Expenses for pre-employment physical examinations shall be incurred by the employing department. Expenses associated with annual examinations and special examinations shall be incurred by the Vice President for Physical Facilities.

3. On-the job injuries will be treated at the Purdue University Student Hospital (PUSH). Individuals requesting services from PUSH should follow the procedures outlined in the Purdue University Business Procedures Manual.

QUESTIONS

1. Technical questions concerning this program should be addressed to the Occupational Health Physician or the Laboratory Animal Veterinarian(s).

2. Procedural or policy questions should be submitted in writing to the Purdue Animal Care and Use Committee.