RESEARCH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Georgia State University’s Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) and associated Safety Programs work to provide a healthy and safe workplace for all personnel involved in research using animals or biological, chemical or radioactive materials. The IACUC Office and the Office of Research and Environmental Safety administer the ROHP which includes the Medical Monitoring Program for Vertebrate Animal Exposure (MMPVAE) with the assistance of Concentra and Emory University. The National Research Council’s Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals, the CDC’s Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Chemical Safety Data Sheets and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulations are used to provide guidance and benchmarks for the GSU Research Occupational Health Program.
The Research Occupational Health Program administers the Bloodborne Pathogens and Respiratory Protection Programs for laboratories and support areas in alignment with the Office of Insurance and Risk Management’s University-wide programs.
The purpose of the Medical Monitoring Program for Vertebrate Animal Exposure (MMPVAE) is to prevent, monitor, and reduce diseases transmitted from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases) and mitigate adverse reactions from exposure to laboratory animals (e.g. allergies). All faculty, staff, students and visiting researchers who are in direct physical contact with one or more animals used for research or a classroom project at the University are required to be enrolled in the MMPVAE. Also included are all members of the IACUC and physical plant staff and others having responsibility in the animal facilities.
- For a life-threatening emergency, seek immediate medical treatment at the nearest emergency room, for assistance dial 404-413-3333 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).
- For non-life-threatening accidents/injuries, follow the protocol for immediate first aid, utilizing the Critical Event Guide, located on the entry/exit door(s) of each laboratory or support area or the procedures below. Seek medical attention, as needed.
- During working hours:
Employees - Concentra Midtown, 688 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA, 404-881-1155, open M-F 7:30 am - 7:00 pm
Students - Student Health Clinic, 141 Piedmont Avenue NE, Suite D, Atlanta, GA, 404-413-1930, check here for current hours. - After working hours:
Care should be sought at the nearest emergency room.
- During working hours:
- Report the accident/injury to your supervisor and the Research and Environmental Safety Hotline at 404-413-3540.
- Complete the Laboratory Incident/Injury Report on the Insurance and Risk Management website. Students must complete the student injury report and faculty/staff should complete the general laboratory injury report.
Georgia State University’s Research and Environmental Safety Department has developed a Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) to help workers eliminate potential inhalation exposures to hazardous materials. If established engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or sensible in eliminating or reducing potential exposures, the use of respiratory protective equipment, such as a respirator, may be needed to protect the health of an individual. When worn correctly, a respirator assures adequate personal protection.
The purpose of GSU’s RPP is to establish adequate practices for the proper selection, use, maintenance, and storage of respirators, as well as standard processes for medical clearance, training, and respirator fit testing. The program was developed in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Standard for Respiratory Protection, 29 CFR 1910.134. It applies to all GSU laboratory staff and students potentially exposed to airborne contaminants during work activities and who are required to wear a respirator to perform their assigned duties.
Please contact GSU’s Research Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner to request a respiratory risk assessment, schedule respirator fit testing, or with any RPP related questions.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s bloodborne pathogens standard protects employees who work in occupations where they are at risk of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. It requires employers to develop a written exposure control plan (ECP) to explain how they will implement the standard, provide training to employees, and protect the health and safety of their workers.
Georgia State University is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. In pursuit of this goal, this ECP will assist the organization in reducing occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in accordance with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1030, “Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens,” for employees and students in a research or teaching laboratory setting and their support areas (i.e., animal facilities).
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For questions or to report concerns, please contact:
Andrew Murray, MSN, AGACNP-BC
Research Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner
Office: 404-413-6674
Emergency: 404-441-1822
[email protected]
MMPVAE email:[email protected]
Research and Environmental Safety Hotline
404-413-3540