HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identification Guideline

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identification Guideline"

Charlene Barnett
6 years ago
Views:

1 HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Plicy Hierarchy link Wrk Health and Safety Plicy HS323 Bisafety Prcedure Respnsible Officer Directr, UNSW Safety and Sustainability Manager, UNSW Wrk Health & Safety Cntact Officer Adam Janssen, Ph: Superseded Dcuments HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline, Versin 3.5 apprved 30 April 2014 File Number 2015/19789 Assciated Dcuments See sectin 5 Versin Authrised by Apprval Date Effective Date 3.6 Directr, UNSW Safety and Sustainability 5 August August Intrductin and Scpe Definitins Guidelines Health and safety hazards, risks f injury r illness assciated with animals and sme pssible risk cntrls Tetanus Allergens Hazardus manual tasks Bihazards Hazardus Chemicals Radiatin Other Hazards Health and safety risks during pregnancy Physical trauma Znses and Infectins Chemical cntaminatin Inising radiatin Additinal health and safety issues Other health and safety requirements HS clearances HS incident reprting requirements References, Histry and Appendices References Dcument histry Appendix 1: Examples f znses assciated with cmmn species Appendix 2: Treatment f bites and scratches frm labratry animals Superficial injury Deeper injury When t seek medical treatment Wunds at increased risk f becming infected include: Intrductin and Scpe There are varius health and safety risks assciated with and arising frm the use f animals fr research and teaching purpses. The aim f this guideline is t assist wrkers in the identificatin and cntrl f these risks. This guideline is applicable t all UNSW research and teaching activities that invlve the use f animals, including animal husbandry and husing. It is applicable t all supervisrs, staff, students and visitrs wh participate in r manage such activities. 2. Definitins Fr the purpses f this guideline there are n definitins. HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 1 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

2 3. Guidelines The infrmatin cntained in this guideline shuld be used as a resurce when dcumenting a risk assessment prir t cmmencing wrk with animals. This sectin cntains infrmatin n: the health and safety (HS) hazards and risks assciated with animals and sme pssible risk cntrls; particular risks t health and safety during pregnancy; and HS clearance r apprval requirements prir t cmmencing animal wrk. All wrk with animals must have current UNSW Animal Ethics apprval. Evidence must be maintained t shw that wrkers have been trained t perfrm their wrk and have demnstrated cmpetency in thse tasks. All wrk in UNSW Animal facilities and UNSW Physical Cntainment facilities must fllw the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2243 series fr minimum best practice as well as any legislated requirements. 3.1 Health and safety hazards, risks f injury r illness assciated with animals and sme pssible risk cntrls Tetanus The risk f expsure t tetanus fr wrkers in an animal facility, wrking with all types f animals, must be cnsidered in any risk assessment. Certain types f wunds are likely t favur the grwth f tetanus rganisms. These wunds may be the result f an animal bite r scratch, but culd als be pre-existing, nn-wrk related, wunds, and culd include: cmpund fractures; bites, scratches r deep penetrating wunds, (See Appendix 2); wunds cntaining freign bdies (especially wd splinters); wunds cmplicated by pygenic (pus prducing) infectins; wunds with extensive tissue damage (eg. cntusins r burns); r any superficial wund bviusly cntaminated with sil, dust r manure (especially hrse manure) if tpical disinfectin is delayed mre than 4 hurs. In previusly vaccinated peple, the administratin f mre than 1 dse f a tetanus-cntaining vaccine in a 5-year perid may prvke adverse events. Adults wh have sustained injuries deemed t be tetanus prne shuld receive a tetanus bster dse if mre than 5 years have elapsed since the last dse. Table 1: Hazard type/risk f injury r illness and pssible cntrls (Nte: the infrmatin in this table is nt exhaustive) HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 2 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

3 Hazard Type/ Risk f Injury r Illness Pssible Risk Cntrls Allergens Particularly animal prteins, urine and serum Hair/fur/dander Muld spres Dust (eg feed, wd prducts/bedding) Latex particles/glves (talc) Mites in animal feed Labratry Animal Allergy (LAA) Prevalence: - 7 t 44% f peple expsed t labratry animals, especially rats Smking and histry f allergies may increase prevalence f atpic/allergic disease Allergic rhinitis (hay-fever) accunts fr 90% f all symptms assciated with LAA Allergic reactin f lwer respiratry tract (eg asthma symptms, cughing, shrtness f breath) Allergic dermatitis r cntact urticaria (eg itchy rash, hives) Hazardus manual tasks Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling and related activities Handling f animals, gds (eg feed and bedding) and equipment such as cmpressed gas cylinders Risk factrs:- psture, design f wrk statin and activity, size/weight f bject, animate r inanimate, height, psitin, duratin, frequency, etc Risk f muscular stress especially back, shulders, arms, neck Risk f Occupatinal Overuse Syndrme frm repetitive activities such as scraping r washing cages, r sustained pstures (eg restraining animals) Crush injuries culd be caused by large animal (eg when crralling animals, r injecting r crutching activities), r arise frm ver-stacking f feed and bedding Bihazards Hazard/risk depends n the nature f emplyment and wrkplace setting. Fr example, the specific animal type, whether the clny is Specific Pathgen Free (SPF), whether animals are screened fr pathgens, tasks/activities, rute f transmissin r expsure, susceptibility f wrker Zntic diseases Znsis an infectius disease f animals that can be transmitted t humans (and humans t animals) See Appendix 1 fr examples f znses related t cmmn animal species. Increasing ventilatin can reduce allergen expsure fur-fld Air filtering Screen fd supplies fr mites High quality/lw dust bedding and feed dcumented Physical barriers t reduce expsure Safe Wrk Prcedures (SWPs) Training/awareness Pre-emplyment medical Smking reductin prgram Annual mnitring fr early detectin f Labratry Animal Allergy (LAA) - lung functin tests, and pssible bld antibdy testing Persnal Prtective Clthing and Equipment (PPE) - glves/gwns/ P2 mask fr rutine wrk higher risk activities Glve allergies reduce use f latex r use nn-latex glves, use nn-pwdered glves, use cttn liner Gd husekeeping Mdify bject, size, weight if pssible (eg rder in smaller animals r smaller bags f feed/bedding) Mechanically restrain large animals Mdify actins, mvements Specific training in animal handling and hazardus manual tasks prcedures Team lifting and mechanical aids Dcumented SWPs Care with stacking f heavy bags f feed and bedding Gd husekeeping Quarantine / segregate ptentially infectius animals Screen clny fr pathgens Reduce ptentially high risk expsure such as needle-stick injury, splash t face/mucus membranes, etc Vaccinatin f wrkers if apprpriate (see 5.1 fr The Australian Immunisatin Handbk) Use prperly maintained bisafety cabinets Crrect animal handling and restraint t avid being bitten Specific training: - including bisafety, animal handling, use f sharps Dcumented SWPs including waste dispsal, spill respnse and emergency prcedures Gd hygiene practice especially with unscreened human material r animals f unknwn infectius status HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 3 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

4 Nte: 1. Q fever especially ruminants (gats, sheep) sme native animals, rabbits, and especially in pregnant animals 2. Prtzal diseases especially rdents, cats, sheep and nn-human primates. Particular risk if pregnant r immuncmprmised 3. Sme znses may have several transfers eg Hendra Virus bats t hrses t humans Nn-zntic diseases Tuberculsis Hep B especially frm unscreened human material used in animal research Other infectins resulting frm handling animals and sharps Hazardus Chemicals Vlatile anaesthetic agents eg Isflurane and Halthane: Assciated with psychmtr, hepatic and renal dysfunctin Pssibly assciated with increased susceptibility t infectin r neplasm and Pssibly assciated with miscarriage r fetal abnrmalities Ether: highly flammable and explsive in air Must nt be used Euthanasiates eg Lethabarb: Lethal Frmaldehyde/frmalin: irritant f respiratry tract and eyes, allergen/ sensitiser, carcingen Carbn dixide: used fr euthanasia heavier than air, asphyxiant Cmpressed gas Oxygen: Oxidising gas, fire hazard Cmpressed gas Scheduled drugs: must nly be used accrding t instructins r n veterinary advice Cleaning chemicals and disinfectants: may be crrsive r irritant in cncentrated frm Other lab chemicals: cyttxic chemicals, hazardus substances r hazardus chemicals Radiatin Inising radiatin frm radiistpes and x-ray equipment Radiistpes cmmnly alpha, beta r gamma emitters Risk f internal expsure if radiistpe inhaled, ingested, injected r ther direct expsure Risk f external expsure frm radiistpes, irradiating apparatus, nn-inising radiatin surces Nn-inising radiatin including laser, UV, electrmagnetic Take care when cleaning up waste t avid skin and ral cntact Identify and use apprpriate PPE Gd husekeeping Cnsider duble-glving r using cutresistant glves Anaesthetic gas scavenger system Minimise dust, fumes and aersls using mechanical ventilatin, fume hd Regular servicing f equipment Apprpriate chemical strage facilities and segregatin f chemical types Specific training bisafety and hazardus substances Restraint f gas cylinders Use f apprpriate fittings fr all gas lines Gd husekeeping Access t Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) Prper labelling f all chemicals, mixtures and waste Prhibit smking and eating in facility Dcumented SWPs including waste dispsal, spill respnse and emergency prcedures Gd hygiene practice PPE including specific respiratry prtectin where identified Apprved area fr use f radiatin Perspex shielding fr beta radiatin Lead shielding fr gamma and x-ray Specific radiatin safety training Radiatin licence is required fr staff Radiatin mnitring, persnal dsimeter Similar t chemical cntrls eg SWPs, waste, spill and emergency prcedures, PPE HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 4 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

5 3.1.7 Other Hazards Strng magnetic field frm MRI equipment Bites and scratches frm labratry animals (See Appendix 2) Cuts r puncture wunds eg scalpels, surgical instruments and needles, brken glass Gas cylinders and regulatrs ptential leak r explsin, hazardus manual tasks Electrical shck eg faulty equipment r wrking in wet envirnment Thermal eg ht (autclave), cld (liquid nitrgen r freezer) Nise eg animals, equipment, activities Slips, trips and falls eg wet flrs, animal cage/barriers, unhused hses, pr husekeeping Bites, scratches, kicks and butts Expsure t weather - eg sunlight Offensive smells especially ammnia in urine Stress and grief arising frm emtinal attachment t animals, animal euthanasia, ethical cnsideratins Persns with metal implants/heart pacemakers nt t enter rms cntaining MRI magnets Facility and equipment maintenance prgram Adequate air exchange Electrical testing and tagging prgram, equipment inspectin & maintenance prgrams Restricted access Training in animal handling, use f equipment Stress cntrls cnsult with supervisr and clleagues, attend training, implement persnal cping strategies, seek cunselling Restrain animals t reduce risk f bites, scratches, kicks etc Knwledge f apprpriate first aid treatment and hw t seek medical advice. (See Appendix 2) Gd husekeeping Safety signs PPE - including hearing prtectin if apprpriate, hat/sunscreen/lng sleeves fr utdr activities Hazard and incident reprting, investigatin and crrective actin respnse 3.2 Health and safety risks during pregnancy The mst significant hazards t mther and unbrn child are: Physical trauma Physical changes assciated with late pregnancy make the pregnant wman mre susceptible t injury frm hazardus manual tasks Znses and Infectins The key zntic disease during pregnancy is txplasmsis (eg frm cats) hwever prtznal diseases may als be a risk fr pregnant r immuncmprmised peple. Listerisis (frm certain types f fd) is a significant risk during pregnancy. Intrauterine infectin may lead t cngenital abnrmality r death f the fetus. Fastidius persnal hygiene is required t minimise risk f infectin. Medical advice shuld be sught befre receiving any vaccinatin Chemical cntaminatin Risks assciated with use f frmaldehyde and anaesthetic gases, which are frequently used in the animal facility. Implementatin f apprpriate cntrls will ensure than there is n greater risk t a pregnant wrker than t thers in the wrkplace Inising radiatin The human embry and fetus is mre sensitive t radiatin than adults, especially the pre-implantatin embry (ie befre pregnancy is knwn r cnfirmed). There is the ptential fr mutatin and genetic/develpmental defects. 3.3 Additinal health and safety issues Animal technical staff must be made aware f any additinal hazards and risks arising frm research prtcls. Fr example: HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 5 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

6 Handling animals that are radiactive, cyttxic r that have been infected fr research purpses; r Handling animals that are sick, pst-perative r in pain. Wrkers shuld be well trained in animal handling techniques, infectin and cntaminatin cntrl, the administratin f drugs and anaesthetics, as well as surgical prcedures befre cmmencing such activities, in rder t reduce the risk f injury t themselves, thers, and the animals. Staff and students must be aware f the psychlgical effects f stress and grief that can arise when wrking with animals and when having t euthenase animals. Security fr animal facilities is imprtant t minimise risk f unauthrised access eg by Animal Activists. Animal facilities must remain lcked when unattended. Implement precautins t minimise the risk f animal escape frm the cntainment facility r during transprt. 4. Other health and safety requirements 4.1 HS clearances Apprval is required frm sme r all f the fllwing: Animal Care and Ethics Cmmittee (ACEC) apprval is mandatry Head f Schl r Research Centre fr the prject Supervisr must apprve the risk assessment that has dcumented all identified hazards, rated the risks and listed the effective cntrls (see Risk Assessment and Cntrl frm) UNSW Institutinal Bisafety Cmmittee (IBC), where the research invlves: genetically mdified rganisms (GMOs), including the use f geneknckut mice r transgenic animals, the infectin f animals with GMOs (See Gene Technlgy Prcedure) risk grup 3 r 4 rganisms (see Bisafety Prcedure) UNSW Radiatin Safety Cmmittee, fr the use f radiatin (see Radiatin Safety Prcedure) such as: Radiactive substances incrprated int the treatment r int the animal s feed Research prcesses utilizing Class 3 r 4 lasers UNSW HS Unit fr assistance with btaining apprvals fr: The certificatin f animal facilities fr dealings with GMOs using risk grup 3 r 4 rganisms, using Security Sensitive Bilgical Agents and registering the facility (see Bisafety page) btaining licences t use radiatin and registering the labratry fr the use f radiatin using knwn carcingens (see Carcingens Guideline) the purchase and use f Schedule 8 drugs (see Schedule 8 Drugs Prcedure) Australian Quarantine 4.2 HS incident reprting requirements 1. Any illness r injury sustained in assciatin with UNSW research activities must be reprted using the UNSW nline reprting system. 2. Any injury, r any suspected r actual labratry acquired illness (related t carrying ut wrk with a research-related bilgical agent) must be reprted t the Bisafety Crdinatr and als t the Facility Manager r Head f the research grup. 3. WrkCver reprtable incidents: With respect t bilgical research, the Head f Schl/ Research grup r the facility manager must ntify their HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 6 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

7 Faculty Crdinatr r the HS Unit Manager immediately n being ntified abut a WrkCver reprtable incident, which include: Death; Requiring immediate hspital admissin as an in-patient; Requiring medical treatment within 48 hurs f an expsure t a substance; An infectin attributed t wrk with a micrrgansism, human bld r bdy substances, animals, animal parts r animal waste prducts; r Cntracting any f the fllwing zntic disease while wrking with animals, animal parts r animal waste prducts: Q-fever; Anthrax; Leptspirsis; Brucellsis; Hendra Virus; Avian flu virus; r Psittacsis. Refer als t the WHS Act 2011 Part 3, Sectin 35, and WHS Regulatins 2011 Part 11.3, Clause 699 fr the full descriptin f Incident Ntificatin requirements 5. References, Histry and Appendices Australian and New Zealand Cuncil fr the Care f Animals in Research & Teaching (ANZCCART): website and fact sheets University f Queensland: Guideline fr animal cntainment facilities (2010) 5.1 References Legislatin Wrk Health and Safety Act 2011 and Wrk Health and Safety Regulatin 2011 Animals Research Act 1985 and Animal Research Regulatin 2010 Pisns & Therapeutic Gds Regulatin 2008 Radiatin Cntrl Regulatin 2013 Cmmnwealth Gene Technlgy Act 2000 and Regulatins 2001 Department f Health and Aging (Natinal Security legislatin) SSBA WrkCver Pregnancy and Wrk guide Department f Agriculture: Australian Quarantine Australian Standards: AS/NZS 2243 Safety in Labratries series, especially Parts 1 and 3. Centre fr Disease Cntrl: Study Labratry animal allergy study (Sweden, 2002) The Australian Immunisatin Handbk, 10 th editin, UNSW Animal Care and Ethics Cmmittee Wrk Health and Safety Plicy Gene Technlgy Research Prcedure Bisafety pages fr AQIS, Bisafety, Gene technlgy and SSBAs HS323 Bisafety Prcedure Radiatin Safety pages Carcingens infrmatin HS331 Schedule 4 and 8 Drugs Prcedure HS329 Risk Management Prcedure Envirnmental Risk Rating Prcedure HS017 Risk Management Frm HS435 Immunisatin Guideline: Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Q Fever 5.2 Dcument histry This Guideline will be reviewed in accrdance with the UNSW HS Management System Review Prcedure, t address changes in legislatin, changes t WrkCver HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 7 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

8 requirements r any changes within the University that impact n HS regulatry requirements. Versin Date Authr Apprval Sectins mdified /04/06 Phyllis Heggie Manager OHS & Envirnment /01/07 Phyllis Heggie Directr Human All Resurces Details f amendments New dcument Revise all cntent and refrmat dcument Versin Authrised by Apprval Date Effective Date Sectins mdified 3.0 Directr, Human Resurces Directr, Human Resurces Directr, UNSW Safety and Sustainability Directr, UNSW Safety and Sustainability 14 April April April April April April August August 2015 Entire dcument reviewed, transferred t UNSW Guideline template (KN) Updated Branding Lg in accrdance with UNSW Branding Guidelines. Mdified the dcument identifier frm OHS t HS in accrdance with WHS legislatin review Reviewed fr administrative updates Revise re: Natinal Audit Tl and update links t new HS website 5.3 Appendix 1: Examples f znses assciated with cmmn species Rdents and rabbits Salmnella Lymphcytic chrimeningitis virus (nte: never demnstrated in Australia, but believed t be here) Ringwrm Q fever Parainfluenza virus (sendai virus) Pseudtuberculsis Leptspirsis (Weil s disease) Giardia Encephalmycarditis virus Cryptspridia Sdksis Hantavirus (Krean Haemrrhagic fever) Bites e.g. rat bite fevers, mixed aerbic/anaerbic infectins Cats Txplasmsis (frm cat faeces) Cat scratch fever Ringwrm Txcara cati, Txascaris lenina (frm cat faeces) Chlamydia psittaci Bites due t ral anaerbic bacteria, pasteurella & thers Sprthrix schenckii Mites Assrted cryptspridia Pasteurella Birds (including pultry) Chlamydia psittaci (especially parrts) Salmnella Mites Bird flu HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 8 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

9 Sheep Q fever Salmnella Anthrax Orf Dermatphilus Brucellsis Cattle Leptspirsis Q fever Ringwrm Pseudcwpx (rf, milker s ndule, papular stmatitis) Ascarid allergy Cryptspridia Brucellsis CJD Dgs Hydatidsis Ringwrm Leptspirsis (Weil s disease) Txcara canis Ascarid allergy Rabies (if travelling verseas) Mites, assrted Pigs Erysipelid Ringwrm Salmnella Ascarid allergy Sarcptes Encephalmycarditis virus (ptential) Streptcccus suis Cryptspridia Balantidium cli Yersinia Swine flu Bats Hendra virus Lyssa virus In sme cuntries may be a reservir fr Ebla Primates (Including human) Herpes virus simiae (B virus) Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E HIV Yaba virus Cytmegalvirus Plimyelitis virus Tuberculsis (M. tuberculsis) Shigella Salmnella Giardia Balantidium cli Entameba histlytica Sarcptes HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 9 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

10 5.4 Appendix 2: Treatment f bites and scratches frm labratry animals Irrespective f where the animal was surced, any bite r scratch frm an animal needs immediate attentin. Rat bites in particular need clser attentin. Refer t paragraph 4.2 fr the requirements fr reprting such incidents Superficial injury If the bite r scratch des nt break the skin, r the wund is very shallw: wash the area with sap and running water apply an antiseptic cream (ptinal and nly if cream is within expiry date) Mnitr the injury. Seek medical treatment if: the area becmes bviusly infected, the area becmes red and/r swllen and/r painful Nte: if yu intend t cntinue wrking, the wund must be cvered with a waterprf dressing. Glves must be wrn while wrking Deeper injury Where a shallw bite r scratch has breaks the skin but there is little bleeding: wash the area with sap and running water apply an antiseptic cream (ptinal and nly if cream is within expiry date) Seek medical advice within 8 hurs. if intending t cntinue wrking, apply a dressing (as abve) if intending t immediately seek medical advice, d nt cver. Seek medical attentin as sn as pssible if: the area becmes bviusly infected, the rednesss, swelling and/r pain increases significantly yu suspect/knw a bne is brken tissue has been trn frm the wund-site When t seek medical treatment Wash the area, and seek medical treatment as sn as pssible fr any f the fllwing: Any puncture wund t the hand, particularly n a finger r near a jint Any wund t the face Any wund where the bleeding des nt stp after applying 15 minutes f pressure If a bne may be brken r if smething might be left in the wund eg part f a tth r claw if the wund site cntains sil r animal wastes, r is bviusly infected, the rednesss, swelling and/r pain increases significantly tissue has been trn frm the wund-site If the victim is pregnant r immuncmprmised (ie has a medical cnditin r receiving medicatin that culd affect immunity eg diabetic, receiving cancer treatment) Antibitics may be required and immunisatin may need t be cnsidered Wunds at increased risk f becming infected include: Crush injuries such as bites frm a dg r ther large animal Puncture wunds such as bites frm cats, rdents (especially rats), birds Bites and deep scratches t the hands, particularly fingers Kicks frm animals, especially where the skin is brken Injuries resulting in brken bnes where the skin is brken, particularly if the injury is near a jint if the wund site may cntain sil, animal wastes. HS066 Animal Research HS Risk Identificatin Guideline Page 10 f 10 Versin: 3.6 Effective 5 August 2015

Prepared By: Lisa McAvoy 31/Oct/17 dd/mmm/yy. Approved By: Veronica Harris-McAllister 17/Nov/17 dd/mmm/yy

Prepared By: Lisa McAvoy 31/Oct/17 dd/mmm/yy. Approved By: Veronica Harris-McAllister 17/Nov/17 dd/mmm/yy Rutine Precautins SOP-RP-01 Standard Operating Prcedure Rutine Precautins SOP Number: SOP-RP-01 Categry: Lab Prcess Supersedes: N/A Effective Date: December 1, 2017 Pages 5 Subject: Rutine Precautins Prepared