The Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP) at the Central Animal Facility of Mahidol University identifies various hazards to workers. It conducts risk assessments to lower risks. Hazards include biological, chemical, environmental, ergonomic and radiation risks. The OHSP implements controls like personal protective equipment, safe work practices, training, and medical surveillance to protect workers from these occupational hazards. It also has policies and procedures for incident reporting and emergency response. The goal is to create a safe working environment and protect the health of all personnel at the Central Animal Facility.

1. Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP)
Central Animal Facility, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University (MUSC–CAF)

3. MUSC–IACUC Policy #17-03 Education and Training

4. Principal elements of OHSP
• Exposure control – Knowing hazards by risk assessment
• Risk assessment is a cornerstone of an effective OHSP
• Goal is to put in place measures to lower the risk at work in MUSC–CAF
Assessment
1. Identify hazards
2. Assess hazards
Action
3. Develop controls and make decisions
4. Implement controls
5. Supervise and evaluate

5. What are the risks?
Environmental Allergens Zoonotic
Biological Chemical

6. What are the environmental hazards?
Bites and
scratches
Slips and
falls
Lifting injuries Noise
Steam and
heat
Ventilation Radiation
Cleaning
agents
Sharps
Repetitive
stress

7. • Do not bend, clip, recap or remove needles from syringes
before disposal
• Promptly discard need all needle-and-syringe units in sharp
containers
• Do not overfill sharp containers
• If recapping is necessary, use the one-handed method
MUSC–CAF policy
for needle disposal

8. Radiation
• We have small animal
imaging facility for rodents
located at room 308
• Follow the instruction
• Only trained personal are
allowed to enter
• Sign in and out to monitor
exposure time
• Wear dosimeter*

9. Ergonomics
1. Maintain neutral posture
2. Work in power zone
3. Adequate lighting
4. Reduce excessive force and motion
5. Allow for movement and stretching
6. Seek help if needed

10. Chemical hazards

11. Policy at MUSC–CAF for chemical use
• Label all bottles with chemical name and
date
• Must accompanied with MSDS
• Wear proper PPE
• Inform us if you bring any new chemical
into our facility, so we can provide all
materials listed above

12. Carcinogen
• Designated room is 311
• Must accompanied with MSDS
• Wear proper PPE
• Restrict the use in biological safety
cabinet
• Are you pregnant or planning to get
pregnant?

13. Potential allergens at MUSC–CAF
Common sources
• Rat/mice: urine and saliva
• Rabbit: fur, saliva, urine
• Bedding materials (new and
used)
• Sanitation/laundry supplies

14. Allergic rhinitis – symptoms and co-morbidities

15. Preventive measures for zoonosis at MUSC–CAF
Possible sources
• Laboratory animals—we
implement the quarantine
program to monitor all animals
received.
• Pest—we have pest control
program to monitor unwanted
species at our facility.
• We would like to know your
immunization background for
prevention of rabies and
tetanus.

16. Methods of controlling hazards
1. Physically remove the
hazards
2. Replace the hazards
3. Isolate users from the
hazards
4. Change the ways
people work
5. Properly wear
personal protection

17. Hand washing
Proper hand washing
technique can
• Eliminate
spreading of germs
in and out MUSC–
CAF
• Prevent and
alleviate allergic
symptoms

18. Gloves: wearing and removal
• We provide gloves at change
rooms
• Proper technique of the
wearing and removal can
reduce chemical and allergen
exposures.
• Wearing gloves together with
clean gowns, hairnet and shoes
is mandatory in the vivarium.
• Let us know about history of
latex allergy!

19. First aid kit
• General information
• Located on each floor
• Sterile dressing and plasters
• Bandages
• Protective items
• Basic medications
• Please report the usage and if you find
that the contents are used up, let us
know!
• Do not forget to fill in the incident
report

20. Emergency response
On hearing the fire alarm
sounds…
• Remain calm
• Stop working
• Recall the exits and leave the
building
• Do not take risk
• Do not use the elevators
MUSC annual training is provided.
Pay attention to the location of
these signs once inside the facility
ALWAYS, log in and out

21. • Assess baseline health status—help identify those with
special health needs
• Monitor health-related risks for all personal working at
MUSC–CAF
• Provide appropriate assistance when work-related illness or
injuries occur
Occupational
health record

22. Occupational Risk Assessment and Medical Questionnaire
Three categories of personnel
who enter MUSC–CAF
1. Employee and IACUC
members
2. Animal users and regular
contractors
3. One-time visitor and
contractors

23. Incident Report and Monitoring Form for Work-related Injuries
What to report?
1. Bites and scratches
2. Sharp or needle injuries
3. Splash injuries
4. Fall or lifting injuries
5. Other physical injuries
even a near miss
We encourage everyone to
report for a better workplace
and to help improving our
program!