The Occupational Health Program for Animal Related Activities

1. The Occupational Health Program for Animal Related Activities Kathryn Wiens – Interim Occupational Health Program Administrator

2. Agenda • Brief Overview of the Occupational Health Program • 3 different programs • Focus on the Program for Animal Related Activities • Program delivery for students and staff • Medical surveillance: • for animals • for Non-Human Primates (NHP) • Exposure • What is an exposure? • What to do for: • an Animal vs. an NHP exposure • during regular hours vs. off hours • Questions

3. what is the Occupational Health Program?

4. The Occupational Health Program (OHP) • In the Environmental Health and Safety Office • Occupational Health Clinic – 3610 McTavish, 4th floor • Occupational Health Team • Doctor, Nurse, Program Administrator • Developed to protect faculty, staff and students from certain occupational or work-related health risks • 3 programs: • Laser Eye Safety • Bloodborne Pathogens • Animals

5. Laser Eye Safety • For faculty, staff and students working with Class 3b and Class 4 lasers • Bi-annual baseline eye testing clinics • Detect possible risks • Establish a comparative baseline in the event of ocular damage • Testing done by OH Nurse in the Occupational Health Clinic

6. Bloodborne Pathogens New program as of summer 2012 For faculty, staff and students working with human bloods: • Assume and treat as if human bloods are infected with bloodborne pathogens (ex. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV) Hepatitis B Immunization strongly recommended

7. Ohp for animals main objectives • Protection of individuals from hazards associated with animal care and use • Protection of animals from diseases they may contract from humans • Provide preventative medical services and delivery of prompt and adequate medical care and advice

8. Animal Related Activities program • For faculty, staff and students working in Research and/or animal-related care activities • Recommendedfor those working with animals • Mandatory for those working with Non-Human Primates • Benefit = Ensures that you are protected through medical surveillance and medical support services in the event of an exposure

9. Medical Surveillance • Routine in accordance with the animal being handled: • Meeting with the OH Nurse • Medical questionnaire • Vaccinations • Annual or one-time appointment depending on type of animal working with: • Animals • Non-human primates

10. Medical surveillance for animals • Includes dogs, cats, mice, rats, etc. • Medical Surveillance includes: • Medical Questionnaire and meeting with OH Nurse • Tetanus immunization and booster every 10 years • Participation in the Occupational Health Program is voluntary

11. Medical surveillance for Non-Human Primates (NHP) • Increased medical surveillance due to more risks for both you and the NHP including: • Medical Questionnaire and meeting with the OH Nurse • Tetanus immunization and booster every 10 years • Hepatitis A vaccination and booster • Yearly Tuberculosis testing (PPD test) • Participation in the Occupational Health Program is mandatory

12. Annual PPD Clinic • Annual clinic for staff and students working with NHP’s held in the Occupational Health Clinic • PPD = Tuberculosis (TB) skin test • Small injection in the forearm • Two visits 48 hours apart • No appointment necessary • ~ 50 participants January 2013 • Next clinic in January 2014

13. Occupational health program for staff • OH Clinic provides all necessary vaccinations and medical surveillance on an appointment basis • Initial appointment with nurse • Yearly tuberculosis screening clinics (PPD tests) for those working with non-human primates • Vaccinations • Medical support services in the event of an animal related exposure • Consultation with the OHP physician, as required

14. Occupational health program for Students • Includes casual workers who are full-time students • Student Health Services provides initial appointments and vaccinations • Occupational Health Program provides: • Yearly tuberculosis screening clinics (PPD tests) for those working with non-human primates • Medical support services in the event of an animal related exposure

15. What to do in the event of an animal related exposure

16. What is considered an Exposure? Indirect Exposure • Needle-stick • Cage scratch Direct Exposure • Bites • Scratches • Mucosal contact

17. What to do in the event of an animal Exposure? First aid should be administered immediately and for a duration of 15 minutes • Wash skin thoroughly • Flush mucous membranes for at least 15 minutes Report the exposure to your Supervisor or PI • During regular hours contact the OHP Administrator who will arrange appropriate medical care and follow-up • Outside of regular hours contact Security Services Within 24 hours fill out an Accident and Incident Report

18. Non-human primate exposures Immediate first aid for a duration of 15 minutes is very important • Wash skin thoroughly with a detergent soap • Flush eyes with water Slightly different steps to follow depending if the exposure happens during or outside of regular hours

19. NHP exposure during regular hours For exposure Monday - Friday from 8h-16h00 After First Aid, report the incident to your Supervisor or PI and fill out the Post-Exposure NHP Risk Identification Matrix form Contact OHP Administrator on directives on how to proceed Medical care and follow-up will be done at the Montreal General Hospital • Tropical Diseases Centre • Same-day appointment or the next day

21. Nhp exposure outside of regular hours For exposure after 16h00 on weekdays or on weekends Report the incident to your Supervisor or PI and fill out the Post-Exposure NHP Risk Identification Matrix form Your supervisor or PI will contact the OHP physician who will authorize Dr. Jim Gourdon to release a prescription for Valtrex • An anti-viral drug to deter a possible Herpes B infection • Should be started ASAP or within 24-48 hours • Can be obtained at no charge from Proxim David Freeman on Stanley

22. Non-human primate exposures • Poster and detailed information can be found online at: • www.mcgill.ca/ehs/laboratory/ohs/animals/exposure Forms & reference information Montreal General Hospital Information regarding medical follow-up

23. Summary • OHP protects faculty, staff and students from certain health risks • Program for Animal Related Activities • Services provided by both Student Health Services and the Occupational Health Clinic • Medical surveillance when working with animals and NHP’s • What to do in the event of an Exposure • Animals / NHP • What to do during regular hours • What to do outside of regular hours • Where to find more information: www.mcgill.ca/ehs/laboratory/ohs

24. Questions? KATHRYN.WIENS@MCGILL.CA