6
6. how occupational safety can be implemented (protecting the researcher) and what is the risks involved when executing your project?
Researchers must always wear proper personal protective equipment, this includes lab-coat, goggle, respirators, disposable gloves and closed shoes to prevent direct exposure to the animals and their products. They must not wear PPPE outside of the BRU.
Cages should be changed frequently to reduce build-up of animal allergens in the environment.
Use of methods that reduce build-up of dusts or allergen contact example dust-free bedding materials or use of ventilated cage dumping stations.
Educational programs and good laboratory practice for all laboratory members working with laboratory animals could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of an allergy.
All laboratories containing animals must be posted with a sign on the entrance of the laboratory that animals are present in the workplace
Washing hands carefully with water and soap for 15-30 minutes after handling animal before you researcher can leave the animal laboratories.
Allergies are the common in researcher’s working with laboratory animals. Allergic reactions to animal hair, dander, and urine and saliva proteins other body fluids or tissues are common. Animal allergies represent a hypersensitivity reaction upon exposure to a researcher or laboratory animal. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Signs of an allergy include: upper respiratory symptoms, e.g., sneezing and itchy or running nose and eyes, lower respiratory symptoms, e.g., wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma, or a feeling of chest tightness, skin symptoms, e.g., the appearance of red, raised, itchy areas after contact with animals. Allergies to animals are particularly common in workers exposed to cats, rabbits, mice, rats, gerbils, and guinea pigs. Previously most allergies were thought to be caused by dander and debris from the skin and fur of an animal. More recent studies seem to suggest that exposure to animal urine, saliva, and faecal matter may be equally as important. Exposure to animal urine may occur either through direct urine contact with skin or, more commonly, by inhaling dust from the bottom of a cage that has been contaminated with urine or faecal material.
