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Guidelines for animal containment facilities

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Guidelines for Animal Containment Facilities

Introduction
These Guidelines apply to staff and students whose work or study takes them into animal
houses. For the purpose of these guidelines, animal house refers to any facility for
housing animals. Where current facilities or equipment being used for animal houses do
not comply with these guidelines, it will be necessary for heads of schools and
organisational units to consult with the Occupational Health & Safety Unit so that the
priority of any required work can be assessed for future minor works programs. For the
most part, this document relates to animals such as rats, mice, cats, monkeys, rabbits,
guinea pigs, birds, dogs, sheep, goats, bats, and small native animals. It does not apply to
aquatic animals and reptiles.

These guidelines complement relevant Australian standards and NHMRC guidelines.
They are intended to assist University departments and faculties to meet their duty of
care to provide a healthy and safe workplace so far as is practicable, under the
Workplace Health & Safety Act.

(NOTE: An assessment of practicability should take into account the nature of the work,
the severity of the potential harm to health and the degree of risk that exists, the
availability and suitability of ways to prevent or mitigate the risk, and whether the cost of
preventing or mitigating the risk is prohibitive under the circumstances.)

2. Human health risks associated with animal work

2.1 Allergies

Workers in contact with laboratory animals may have frequent exposures to allergens in
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the form of dusts, fibres and animal products (hair, fur, dander, urinary proteins, faeces,
and parasites). In susceptible individuals this can lead to various degrees of laboratory
animal allergy (LAA). Signs of allergy include red, sore, watery or itchy eyes, running
nose, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and skin rash.

LAA may lead to Occupational Asthma (OA) if the primary symptoms are ignored. This
type of asthma is work-caused. Once established, it will continue to be exacerbated by
exposure to the trigger allergens.

The development of OA is related primarily to the length of exposure. However, it has
been observed that those who have intermittent exposure for short periods of time can
develop severe symptoms quite rapidly. An asthma attack will not necessarily occur at
work. Frequently, shortness of breath will develop several hours after the exposure, e.g.
at night.

In addition to those who develop work-caused asthma, existing asthmatics who begin
employment in animal related work have a high risk of developing work-aggravated
asthma. Aggravation may also apply to other forms of respiratory illness.

Workers with O.A. who continue to work in an allergenic or aggravating environment
without adequate protection are at risk of their condition deteriorating over time. In such
cases, they may continue to suffer with asthma even after their exposure is terminated.

2.2 Bites, scratches and kicks

Persons working with animals are at risk of being bitten, scratched, kicked, butted,
horned and stung by animals during handling. Such behaviour is commonly associated
with competition (mating or feeding) or stress. The risk of this is dramatically reduced if
staff are well trained in animal handling techniques. When handling primates, where
possible no individual should work alone.

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2.3 Infections associated with zoonotic diseases

Animals may carry infection without obvious signs of illness. This puts their handlers at
risk of acquiring zoonotic diseases (diseases that are transmitted between animals or their
products, and humans).

A disease may be spread by inhalation of infective dust or droplets, by ingestion, by
contaminated food or water, or by direct contact with skin (through bites, scratches, etc.)
or mucous membranes.

Working with primates is a considerable risk, as their similarity to humans means that
many of the diseases carried are transmissible to us. Simian Herpes B virus in particular
can be very serious.

In the case of laboratory rodents, any contact with wild rodents increases the risk of them
carrying disease.

Some zoonotic diseases are life threatening, or are rendered so in immunologically
compromised individuals (e.g. those suffering AIDS, receiving chemotherapy, or
undergoing steroid treatment). With certain infections, e.g. toxoplasmosis, the developing
foetus can be deleteriously affected if the mother becomes infected during pregnancy.

Some zoonotic infections produce symptoms that are indistinguishable clinically from
other human diseases, with the development of flu-like symptoms or signs of intestinal
upsets or skin disease. Workers should ensure that their doctor is made aware of their
occupation so that this can be taken into account in differential diagnosis.
Approximately 50 zoonoses have been reported in Australia.

The most common species-associated zoonoses are included in Appendix 1.

2.4 Manual handling
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Animal house work involves considerable manual handling (lifting and carrying cages,
animals, and feed; pushing and pulling trolleys, bending and reaching to clean cages, etc.)
Such handling is associated with a significant risk of muscular sprain/strain injury
(especially back pain), fractures and hernias.

Risk assessment for manual tasks should be done in accordance with the Manual Tasks
Advisory Standard 2000. The Advisory Standard does not specify weight limits for
workers, and instead requires assessment of a range of factors that determine whether a
task can be safely performed by an individual.

Manual task risk factors that require assessment include:

Direct stressors: forceful exertions, working posture, repetition, duration and vibration.

Contributing risk factors: work area design, hand tool use, nature of loads and load
handling.

Modifying risk factors: individual factors and work organisation.

Having completed a risk assessment, the next step is to determine controls that will
eliminate or minimise exposure to risk factors. Control measures for manual tasks fall
into two major categories:

Design controls: Design of work area, objects and tools, and movements and positions
carried out by the body. Provision of mechanical aids.

Administrative controls: Work organisation, task specific training, preventive
maintenance programs and personal protective equipment.

Guidance and checklists for risk assessment and control are in the Manual Tasks
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Advisory Standard. Following preliminary assessment, the University Ergonomics
Adviser can be contacted for further advice.

2.5 Hazardous substances

The chemical hazards associated with experimental protocols should be determined prior
to commencing an experiment. A risk assessment should be conducted to identify any
potential chemical hazards, and manage the risk associated with these research
experiments. The complexity and type of an experimental operation have a direct impact
on the extent of potential exposure that an employee receives while carrying out or
participating in an experimental protocol. For example, during incorporation of a test
chemical into feed for ingestion studies, a contaminated dust created during milking and
mixing during transfer of the diet could result in respiratory and dermal exposures. Test
material applied to the skin of experimental animals might be disseminated by handling
of animals, clipping hair, changing of bedding, and sweeping of the animal room floor.

Hazardous substances used in animal surgery or experimentation include anaesthetic
gases, therapeutic and other chemicals, cytotoxic drugs, and radiation. Unless used in the
appropriate manner such substances may impose risks to persons handling, managing and
caring for the animals. Use of local exhaust ventilation, e.g. fume cupboards, and
appropriate PPE can significantly reduce these risks. Anaesthetic gases may be
flammable (e.g. diethyl ether) and toxic (e.g. chloroform) and some are a special risk to
pregnant women.

Some disinfecting agents (e.g. formaldehyde, paracetic acid) are also toxic. Most skin
disinfectants are capable of causing irritant or allergic dermatitis.

For information about how to work safely with cytotoxic drugs, refer to guideling for
handling cytotoxic drugs and related waste at
http://www.whs.qld.gov.au/guide/gde17.pdf

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2.6 Other

Other risks associated with animal houses include slips and falls (especially in wet
houses), burns from autoclaves, contact injuries from needles and sharps, and electrical
accidents. In addition staff may experience stress and grief following the suffering and
death of animals in their care.

3. Strategies to prevent health problems

3.1 Physical facilities and environment

(For specific details relating to this section it is recommended that the Property &
Facilities Design Standards be consulted.)

Where work is done with infectious substances, then AS2243.3 should be consulted. If
work involves genetic modification, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
(OGTR) requirements will also need to be met.

3.1.1 Location

The facility should be lockable and separated from laboratories, teaching facilities, and
administration areas.

3.1.2 Construction & facilities

There should be separate rooms for each of the following:
staff offices, staff tea room, staff showers and toilets, animal housing,
manipulative procedures (injection, bleeding, surgery, testing, and
euthanasia), food storage rooms and quarantine. Separate areas should also be
provided for cage cleaning/washing and garbage handling/storage. There
should be separate delivery access and lifts to avoid mixing human and animal
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traffic. All restricted areas should be clearly signposted. Doors should have
vision panels.

All surfaces should be impervious, including wall/ floor/ceiling surfaces. Rodents and
wild birds should not have access. False ceilings are not recommended as they create a
haven for cockroaches. Walls should be smooth or rendered to facilitate cleaning.

Hand basins should be provided in a convenient location.

Drainage should be adequate and in accordance with Council requirements. Unless
designated as dry rooms, drains should be fitted to enable floors and walls to be washed.

If microbiological containment is required, a contamination barrier should be provided
at the entrance/exit to the animal house. This area should include shower and laundry
(footbaths are not considered sufficiently effective) and clothing storage space.

3.1.3 Ventilation

All enclosed animal houses must have air-conditioning capable of providing 100%
outdoor air with no recirculation, at a rate of 10 - 15 air changes per hour. Air movement
should be evenly distributed through-out each room without drafts or dead spots.

All aspects of the air conditioning system (inlet, ducting, and outlet) should be bird and
rodent-proofed.

The pressure gradient at which animal rooms are ventilated has implications for human
and animal health. Where possible, non-animal areas (e.g. corridors) should not receive
contaminated air from animal areas. A negative pressure gradient inside animal rooms
will minimise this but may compromise animal health. On the other hand, specific
pathogen free rooms and operating theatres should have positive pressure to avoid
contaminants entering these rooms. Users of animal houses should be consulted to
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determine the pressure gradients required for each area.

Staff offices and tea rooms should have a separate ventilation system to the animal areas.
If they share the same system, the former should be permanently and securely placed at a
positive pressure gradient with respect to the latter. Tea rooms are best located in separate
buildings where practicable.

Where practicable, exhaust ducts should be close to floor level where the concentration of
animal residue is highest. The exhaust air should be rough filtered before it is discharged
into the environment. Where rooms have a specific pathogen-free status or a significant
risk of discharging zoonotic pathogens, the exhaust air should be pre-filtered, then
subjected to HEPA (high efficiency particle arresting) filtration, before being discharged.
Rooms which do not have HEPA filtration should not be used for potentially infected
animals until filtration has been upgraded.

Exhaust ducts for effluent air should have removable grills so that they can be maintained
free of fur and other particulates. Exhaust ducts (especially if effluent air is only rough
filtered) should not be placed in populated or enclosed areas, such as a frequently used
footpath or courtyard. Effluent ducts should discharge air well above the roof line in
accordance with AS 1668.2.

Noise levels from ventilation should be no more than 55 dB (A).

For most species, a temperature of 22+/- l
0
c is optimum. Humidity control is not
considered necessary in Brisbane.

Local exhaust ventilation must be provided in operating theatres to exhaust anaesthetic
gases at the source of generation. Local exhaust ventilation should also be provided in
areas where there is a high production of dusts, aerosols, etc. (e.g. emptying feed bags,
cleaning cages, handling sawdust). Where this is not practicable a charcoal filter mask or
airstream helmet should be used. In some cases, e.g. handling sawdust, both exhaust
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ventilation and respiratory equipment may be required.

Work with animals involving volatile anaesthetics, particularly in an open system, should
be done in a fume cupboard, or using local exhaust ventilation. Where practicable,
vapouriser-style anaesthetic apparatus should be used or anaesthetic machines should be
fitted with scavenging units. Beakers of soaked cotton wool are not appropriate.

A reduction in stock density also reduces levels of airborne allergens and exposure to
animal by-products e.g. ammonia levels.

3.2 Animals

Ideally, incoming stock should be isolated from existing stock when first introduced.
All animal sickness should be reported and all animals which die unexpectedly should be
autopsied by trained and experienced personnel.

Primates should be handled with extreme caution. No individual should work alone when
working with primates. A regular program of serological testing for primates should be
established.

3.3 Personnel

3.3.1 Selection

The University has a responsibility to protect persons with established medical conditions
from work which may aggravate their condition.

Prior to appointing a person with an established history of asthma and/or significant
allergies to a position which requires contact with animals or their by-products, the head
of department should seek medical opinion from the Director, University Health Service.
In high risk cases the head of department may be advised against such an appointment. If
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medical advice permits the appointment to proceed, the head of department must ensure
adequate measures are taken to protect the health of the individual. The individual should
be advised of the risks associated with the position.

Pregnant women should not be associated with the maintenance of strains of toxoplasma
in rodents or in vitro, and should not work with cats as these can be carriers of
toxoplasma which can produce serious disease in a developing foetus. For staff positions
where these tasks are required to be performed, women of child bearing age should be
instructed at the time of their appointment about the life cycle and transmission of
toxoplasmosis, and the risks to the foetus. Before working with any anaesthetic gases,
pregnant women should consult MSDS to determine whether it has any reproductive or
teratogenic effects associated with its use.

Other zoonosis affecting pregnant women may also be encountered (e.g. Q Fever, ovine
psittacosis).

Women who become pregnant during the course of employment in such facilities should
seek advice from the University Health Service and should report the matter to the senior
manager of the animal house (dean of faculty or head of department as applicable).

3.3.2 Health monitoring

Individuals who suffer any of the symptoms or injuries mentioned in section 2, or who
are concerned about the effects of work on their health should report the problem (see
section 3.5.6) and should seek advice, preferably from the Occupational Health Nurse
Adviser (OHNA). Before placement, all new staff should be referred to the OHNA who
will assess their respiratory function and enrol them in a health surveillance program.
Respiratory symptoms in particular should be followed up as early as possible to avoid
the development of occupational asthma. The Health Service is preferable to external
medical agencies as it offers regular health monitoring, including respiratory testing.

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If health monitoring confirms a diagnosis of laboratory animal allergy or occupational
asthma, the head of department should ensure that all practicable steps are taken to
minimise exposure to allergens. Respiratory protective equipment (see section 3.5.3)
should be provided by the department on the advice of the OH&S Unit and worn by the
person concerned during all high exposure tasks. Other strategies which should be
employed include task rotation, and close attention to personal hygiene.

In the case of asthmatics, the University recognises that continuation in an environment
which aggravates an allergic condition may result in worsening of the condition. Where
the individual is unable to tolerate continued animal-related work or medical advice
indicates that their condition is deteriorating because of their continued exposure, the
University will, where practicable, redeploy the individual to a more suitable position.
Redeployment procedures will comply with the Universitys Work Rehabilitation Policy
and Procedures.

3.3.3 Immunisation

Whether or not individuals should be immunised depends on the proximity of contact
between themselves and the animals. Those whose work takes them into an animal house
environment only very occasionally may not require immunisation but may wear
protective equipment, e.g. mask, for the short period of time involved.

Those whose work involves daily care and/or close handling of primates (e.g animal
house workers and researchers) must be immunised against Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis,
and must have baseline serums and chest X-rays prior to contact.

Tetanus immunisation is essential for all individuals working with animals.

Those who come in contact with goats, cattle and sheep should be immunised against Q
fever.

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The cost of immunising staff shall be met by the faculty or school. In the case of students,
decisions regarding funding shall be determined by the head of department.

3.3.4 Information and training

Systems should be in place to ensure that persons working in animal houses (including
cleaners, maintenance staff and contractors) are informed of potential hazards. This
includes infectious diseases, chemicals, radiation hazards, drugs used, and particular
hazards associated with each species, and those relating to any genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) as per the OGTR requirements.

Research staff are required to inform animal workers of the nature of the research being
conducted if this research is considered hazardous to staff. Where animals are known to
be infected, workers must be informed about the nature of the diseases carried, the risks
associated with those diseases, and the procedures necessary to minimise the risk of
infection. They must be given this information prior to exposure, and in a manner which
they can understand.

Women of child bearing age who are exposed to cats, cat litter, faeces or muscle tissue
must be informed of the risks to their foetus should they become pregnant. Other
zoonoses which may affect the pregnant woman should be discussed, e.g. QFever,
Chlamydia psittaci.

Appropriate signs should be erected in the facility to indicate clearly the nature of hazards
therein. All cages containing animals which are contaminated with known pathogens
must be labelled.

It is desirable that all persons coming in contact with animals (animal attendants,
students, and research staff) receive training appropriate to the extent and nature of their
involvement, and their level of responsibility. Formal technical training in laboratory
animal care is currently offered through T.A.F.E. colleges. Workshops for postgraduates
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and research staff are run on a regular basis (contact the Animal Welfare Officer at the
Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies).

Training must cover instruction in appropriate work practices and procedures, including
(where applicable):
correct animal handling techniques
correct manual handling techniques
infection control procedures
correct use of protective equipment
accident/injury/illness reporting procedures
fire and emergency procedures

3.3.5 Supervision

The degree of supervision should be commensurate with a persons skill, experience and
training. Where possible an experienced animal handler should assist an inexperienced
handler in all procedures involving animals, until the latter demonstrates ability to work
with animals without damage or stress to the animal or self.

3.4 Equipment

Cages for larger animals such as rabbits should be made of lightweight material (e.g.
plastic), have removable tops, rounded corners and must be easily cleaned and
autoclaved. Cages with solid bottoms and sides are better than wire cages for infected
animals. Stainless steel cages for large shed animals are heavy and increase the risk of
musculoskeletal disorder that is associated with repetitive handling.

Feed bags, cages and items that are either in excess of 16kg or require repetitive handling
should be stored 40-50cms above the floor, to minimise effort.

Mechanical manual handling devices should be used in preference to human lifting and
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handling wherever possible (e.g. hand trucks, height adjustable trolleys, binson wheels,
conveyors, adjustable height work platforms, etc.) Gravity feed hoppers for sawdust and
feed should be used in preference to bags.

Unloading of autoclaves by hand increases the risk of burns. Autoclaves should be
equipped with stackable trolleys to eliminate reaching into the hot chamber and to
minimise awkward handling of extremely hot pieces of equipment.

There should be separate fridges/freezers for staff food and drink, and for animal
carcasses, food, or medications.

The use of filter-top cages and non-contact absorbent pads as cage bedding (instead of
sawdust or woodchips) are recommended to reduce levels of airborne allergens.

3.5 Work practices and procedures

3.5.1 Infection control

Outbreaks of infection in animal houses which are likely to impact on human health
should be reported to the Occupational Health & Safety Unit (see section 3.5.6) and all
staff and students should be informed of the risks.

Staff and students should limit their time in the immediate vicinity of animals, wherever
possible. All tasks that do not require direct contact with animals should be performed in
separate areas.

All animal handlers must wash their hands after each task.

Surgical gloves should be worn when handling blood, tissues, and dead animals.

All cuts and wounds which could permit the entry of foreign material must be covered.
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This is especially important when working with primates.

Animal handlers should never bring their hands to their face. If the face must be
scratched, the forearm should be used. Smoking, eating, drinking and applying make-up
are prohibited in animal-designated areas of animal houses.

Where a contamination barrier with shower and laundry is necessary to contain
contaminated animals, staff should shower on their way out of the animal house. Personal
shoes and other items should be left on one side and protective clothing and equipment
on the other. Protective clothing should be laundered at the end of each day. If worn in
contaminated areas, it should be autoclaved prior to washing.

Any procedure involving infected animals must be done in a fume cupboard or biohazard
cabinet with full protective equipment worn.

Any work with primates must be treated as high risk for infection, and special care should
be taken. Workers should never use bare hands. Full protective clothing and equipment
should be worn. Hands should be washed immediately following any contact. All cuts,
bites and scratches should be reported and monitored. Clothing should always be
laundered separately (see section 3.5.3). Where possible no individual should work alone
when handling primates.

3.5.2 Waste disposal

Pathological waste, sharps, chemical waste, and radioactive waste must be disposed of
separately and not in the paper waste bins.

Animal carcasses, dressings, organs and any other pathological waste (including soiled
wood shavings and excreta) should be securely packed into plastic bags, sealed and
labelled, and disposed of in animal waste bins (for incineration at Pinjarra Hills
farm).Sharps and needles must be disposed of in sharps containers.
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Carcasses and excreta that may have been treated with radioactive isotopes must be
disposed of as radioactive waste if levels exceed statutory limits.

Care should be taken in the handling of animals and waste (e.g. bedding, excreta) which
have been exposed to highly toxic chemicals and cytotoxic drugs.

3.5.3 Personal protective clothing and equipment

All staff and students should wear adequate protective clothing, by which is meant at a
minimum gown or overalls. Gloves should be worn when handling blood, tissues, dead
animals, cytotoxic drugs and radioactive substances. Where gloves are necessary they
should be suitable for the materials being handled, for example, nitrile, neoprene or
viton may be required. Cotton lined gloves are less likely to irritate the wearers skin as
opposed to latex gloves. Safety boots should be worn when dealing with large animals.

Respiratory protection should be worn for all tasks involving a high production of dusts,
and aerosols (e.g. emptying and cleaning cages, handling wood shavings, etc.) where the
local exhaust systems do not provide sufficient protection. Surgical masks (FIG 1) do not
provide effective protection. A class P2 respirator with two straps, a mouldable nose
piece to ensure adequate seal and an exhalation valve to minimise sweating is adequate
for most tasks (FIG 2). However, in situations of high exposure to allergens and
especially with sensitive individuals, a charcoal filtered mask (FIG 3) or air stream
helmet should be used (FIG 4). Charcoal filtered masks are rubber and are therefore
unsuitable for continued wear in hot work environments.

Details of suppliers are available from the OH&S Unit.

Protective goggles should also be worn in situations involving dusts and aerosols.

Animal houses with a potential risk for infection or contamination emergencies should
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ensure that a supply of disposable gowns, caps, gloves, masks and overshoes is readily
accessible. J ohnson & J ohnson have disposable protective clothing available at hospital
contract prices.

Additional clothing and equipment which may be required depending on conditions
include long sleeve thermal gloves (when emptying autoclave), gum boots and
waterproof aprons, and helmets (work with primates).
All personal protective clothing and equipment shall comply with the appropriate
Australian Standard (Appendix 2), and should be supplied and maintained by the
department or faculty (as applicable). The department or faculty is also responsible for
co-ordinating the collection, dispatch and processing of laundry.


FIG 1: Surgical mask

FIG 2: Toxic dust mask

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FIG 3: Charcoal filtered


Fig 4: Airstream helmet mask

3.5.4 Cleaning and sterilisation

Environmental levels of mould and dust allergens in animal houses are higher than in the
general environment, leading to increased sensitisation and hence development of
occupational asthma. Therefore, a high standard of cleanliness should be maintained.

If possible, removal of shavings/excreta should be done with industrial vacuum cleaners.
Often, however, this is not feasible because of noise and cost. A second best alternative is
to empty cages into bulk collection chutes or bins which have local exhaust ventilation.
These should be situated in a specialised cage cleaning area which is separate from the
animal rooms.

Cages should then be cleaned by either hot water, steam or autoclaving.

3.5.5 Maintenance

A regular programme of maintenance of facilities and equipment (including personal
protective equipment) should be in place.

3.5.6 Accident injury/illness reporting

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All accidents, injuries and illnesses (including all animal bites and all outbreaks of
infection which affect human health) should be verbally reported immediately to the
supervisor, and the standard University report form should be completed as soon as
possible thereafter. Forms are available from the OH&S Unit.

The OH&S Unit will ensure that reported outbreaks of infection are referred to the
Animal Welfare Officer who will ensure that all relevant animal houses are subsequently
informed. This is essential for the following reasons:
animals are often transferred from one animal house to another.
staff often work in more than one animal house.
the source of infection may be feed or bedding, which are usually obtained from the
same supplier.

3.5.7 First Aid

There should be a trained first aider and a fully equipped first aid kit on site at all times.
For more information see the Safety GuidelineFirst Aid (available on our webpage at
http:// www.uq.edu.au/ohs/firstaid2001.pdf) or contact the OHNA at the University
Health Service/ Occupational Health & Safety Unit.

4. Responsibilities of all parties

4.1 The University

The University has a responsibility under the Workplace Health & Safety Act to ensure
safe systems of work and a safe work environment. With respect to animal houses this
includes the provision and maintenance of appropriate facilities, the proper handling,
transport and storage of animals, materials and substances, adequate training and
supervision, health monitoring and immunisation, and the provision of protective clothing
and equipment. The University is responsible for ensuring that adequate resources are
made available to implement these guidelines and to comply with the WH&S Act.
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The University has a responsibility to protect persons with established asthma and allergy
conditions by minimising their exposure to allergens which may aggravate their
condition, and by seeking medical opinion regarding continued exposure, where
necessary.

4.2 Senior managers (deans of faculties or heads of department, as appropriate)

Senior managers are responsible under the Workplace Health & Safety Act for ensuring
implementation of the guidelines in animal houses under their control (by seeking advice
from the OH&S Unit if necessary) or advising the Unit of difficulties in implementation.

4.3 Supervisors (includes supervisors of animal houses, and student/staff
supervisors)

Supervisors are responsible under the Workplace Health & Safety Act for ensuring that
individuals under their direction are aware of these guidelines, and that they have been
trained or informed specifically with respect to section 3.3.4 and 3.3.5. Meeting these
responsibilities may require the supervisor to seek specific advice from the OH&S Unit,
the University Health Service or their departmental OH&S Committee.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that individuals under their direction comply
with their responsibilities (as outlined in 4.4), and for advising their head of department
of difficulties in achieving compliance.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all accidents and hazards reported to them
are reported to senior management and OH&S Unit.

Supervisors of animal houses are responsible for overseeing day-to-day health and safety
matters in the animal house, consistent with their general level of supervisory
responsibility. This includes monitoring maintenance, housekeeping and work practices,
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ensuring there are adequate stocks of protective clothing and equipment, etc.

4.4 Individuals (staff, students and visitors)

Individuals who come in contact with animals or animal products as part of their work
have a responsibility under the Workplace Health & Safety Act to comply with these
guidelines and to follow standard operating procedures and instructions, so far as is
practicable. They also have a responsibility to wear protective clothing and equipment
supplied, and to not wilfully or intentionally endanger the health and safety of themselves
or others.

Staff, students and visitors are also required to report all accidents, injuries and illnesses
(on the standard forms) which occur during the course of their work, and to undertake a
medical assessment if requested to do so by the University.

For further information on these guidelines contact the Occupational Health &
Safety Unit

These guidelines were designed for use within the University of Queensland. Others are welcome
to use them. Although the information contained in the guidelines is believed to be reliable and
current, we make no guarantee and assume no responsibility as to their absolute correctness for
all circumstances or for their adaptation outside the University of Queensland environment. You
may reproduce or adapt this information provided the original meaning is preserved and copies
are not offered for sale. The University of Queensland shall be acknowledged in the copies.







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Appendix 1

Common species associated zoonoses

Rodents and rabbits
Salmonella
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (note: never demonstrated in Australia,
but believed to be here)
Ringworm
Parainfluenza virus (sendal virus)
Pseudotuberculosis
Leptospirosis
Giardia
Encephalomyocarditis virus
Cryptosporidia
Bites e.g. rat bite fevers, mixed aerobic/anaerobic infections

Cats
Toxoplasmosis (from cat faeces)
Cat scratch fever
Ringworm
Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina (from cat faeces)
Chlamydia psittaci
Bites due to oral anaerobic bacteria, pasteurella & others
Sporothrix schenckii
Mites
Assorted cryptosporidia

Birds (including poultry)
Chlamydia psittaci
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Salmonella
Mites

Sheep
Q fever
Salmonella
Anthrax (not in Queensland)
Orf
Dermatophilus

Cattle
Leptospirosis
Q fever
Ringworm
Pseudocowpox (orf, milkers nodule, papular stomatitis)
Ascarid allergy
Cryptosporidia

Dogs
Hydatidosis
Ringworm
Toxocara canis
Ascarid allergy
Mites, assorted

Pigs
Erysipeloid
Ringworm
Salmonella
Ascarid allergy
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Sarcoptes
Encephalomyocarditis virus (potential)
Streptococcus suis
Cryptosporidia
Balantidium coli
Yersinia

Primates
Herpes virus simiae (B virus)
Hepatitis A
Yaba virus
Cytomegalovirus
Poliomyelitis virus
Tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis)
Shigella
Salmonella
Giardia
Balantidium coli
Entamoeba histolytica
Sarcoptes









Guidelines for animal containment facilities
25
Appendix 2

Australian Standards for personal protective equipment:

AS 1715 - Respiratory protective devices - selection use and maintenance

AS 1716 - Respiratory protective devices

AS 2161 - Industrial safety gloves and mittens

AS 2210- Safety footwear

AS 1336 - Recommended practices for eye protection in the industrial environment

AS 1337 - Eye protection for industrial applications

(Contact the OH&S Unit for further information and advice on selection of
appropriate equipment)

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