The UNH occupational health program for personnel who handle or work with live vertebrate animals is a joint responsibility of the UNH Wellness Center (Health & Wellness), Research Integrity Services (RIS), and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS).
Each UNH employee (faculty, staff, or student) handling or working with live vertebrate animals as part of their position responsibilities or a research project must participate in the UNH Occupational Health Program for Animal Care Personnel. For students in courses, participation is the course instructor's decision.
Prior to handling or working with live vertebrate animals at UNH, applicable individuals need to:
- Complete the online UNH Animal Handler Medical Questionnaire (provide ALL requested information) Note: Applicants need to have had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years.
- If applicable, respond promptly to communication about providing missing information and/or obtaining medical services (e.g., tetanus immunization) necessary to receive occupational health program approval to handle and/or work with live vertebrate animals; and
- Wait for notification from RIS to the applicable project investigator/instructor or animal facility manager of approval prior to handling or working with live vertebrate animals.
Medical treatment for employees with acute health concerns, illness, or injury is provided by the UNH Wellness Center (Health & Wellness) and/or the employee’s primary care provider. The occupational health program for animal handlers includes the following:
- Medical/work history
- Physical examinations (for students only at the UNH Wellness Center) and immunizations (at the discretion of the attending healthcare provider)
- Reporting of illnesses or injuries
- Maintenance of individual health records
- Surveillance program for zoonotic diseases
- Monitoring of hazardous substances
- Employee occupational health education program, and
- Personal health regulations
The UNH Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee has developed guidelines for biological and personal safety when working with vertebrate animals at UNH.
Contact Dean Elder, Director, Animal Resources Office at (603) 862-4629, Julie Simpson, Director, Research Integrity Services, or Susan Jalbert, Compliance Officer, Research Integrity Services with questions about the occupational health program for vertebate animal care personnel.
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Dean Elder, MS, DVM, Director
Animal Resources Office
Rudman Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-4629
Email: dean.elder@unh.edu
Julie Simpson, Director
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 117
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Email: julie.simpson@unh.edu
Susan Jalbert, Compliance Officer
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 117
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Email: susan.jalbert@unh.edu
