I: Background and Purpose:

This policy ensures the health and safety of all personnel working with animals at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) by requiring participation in the Animal Occupational Health Program (AOHP). The program is designed to identify and mitigate health risks associated with animal-related research and teaching activities and is required by the NIH PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

II. Related Policies and Guidance:

·       529-251 Policy on the Training of Animal Users

·       529-255 Visiting Researchers

·       529-220 Animal Bites - Treatment and Reporting

III: Policy

A. Enrollment

       i.          Enrollment in the Animal Occupational Health Program (AOHP) to identify and mitigate workplace health risks identified in section III.B. is a requirement for all individuals working with animals at UCR. Individuals must be enrolled in the AOHP prior to working with animals or accessing animal housing locations.

      ii.        The AOHP consists of three steps: (1) Health Questionnaire, (2) project-specific Risk Assessment, and (3) medical clearance by an Occupational Health Physician.

a.     Principal Investigators (PIs) are required to submit a project-specific Risk Assessment Form through the UCOP Risk and Safety Solutions (RSS) platform, OHSS  https://ehs.ucop.edu/ohss 

b.     Any individual who will work with animals is required to submit a Health Questionnaire and review/confirm the Risk Assessment for the AUPs they are listed on.

c.      An Occupational Health Physician from the UCI Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) will review the Health Questionnaire for each individual and provide a medical clearance for that individual.

B. Workplace health risks

Health risks are based on exposures related to:

·       Animal contact

·       Biological agents

·       Chemical agents

·       Physical agents

·       Bloodborne Pathogens

·       Exposure control

·       Animal-related Risks

·       General safety and training guidelines

C. Renewal Requirements

  Health Questionnaires must be renewed:

·        As defined in the associated AUP (e.g., annually or every third year), OR

·        based on the Occupational Health Physician's assessment of the participant’s health status and risk level (typically every 1–3 years).

IV: Compliance:

·       Environmental Health & Safety and the IACUC are responsible for program oversight and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and UC regulations regarding hazardous biological, chemical, and physical agents.

·       Non-compliance may result in the IACUC revoking access to animals and reporting compliance issues to funding agencies, which can lead to suspension of research activities.

For more information, see the Occupational Health Program SOP https://ehs.ucr.edu/occupational-health-surveillance-system-ohss

Originally approved: 12/8/2000; Updated: 12/9/04, 6/4/12, Reviewed: 03/11/2024, Revised: 08/11/2025