North Carolina State University’s Animal Contact Program is for the protection and education of individuals who have contact with animals. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) oversees the Animal Contact Program with the help of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). NCSU’s Campus Health is the medical provider for the program and maintains the medical records through the Occupational Medicine coordinator.
All employees and volunteers, including student workers, with animal contact are are enrolled in the Animal Contact Program based on two categories. Review the table to determine your Animal Contact Category and your requirements.
| Contact Category | Example of Contact | Requirements |
Category 1 |
Personnel such as employees and students (paid or volunteer) with only one-time contact with animals (or tissues, etc.), or those whose contact is limited to directly supervised activities in teaching laboratories. |
❏ Supervisor must provide and document specific instruction on the health risks associated with their animal contact. ❏ Worker will receive regular training and/or notification of health risks associated with animal contact. Do not routinely fill out a questionnaire or visit the contract medical provider |
|
Category 2 |
Personnel such as employees or students (paid or volunteer) working in animal husbandry or having contact more than one-time with animals (or tissues, etc.)
Where department employees are required to receive medical exams/tests based on specific tasks and conditions, supervisors are to ensure that students performing these same tasks under the same working conditions obtain this medical screening. Refer to Supervisor Responsibilities section of the Medical Surveillance Program. |
❏ Supervisor must provide and document specific instruction on the health risks associated with their animal contact. ❏ Worker will receive regular training and/or notification of health risks associated with animal contact. ❏ Worker completes the Vertebrate Animal Contact Medical Questionnaire ❏ Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the questionnaire is completed and appropriate sections are sent to Campus Health Services for review by a medical provider. ❏ Worker will participate in follow-up discussion and/or visits with the medical provider at the discretion of the medical provider. |
Supervisors and workers must be familiar with this Animal Contact document on the EHS website .
Medical Surveillance
Work-related medical services are required for all Category 2 personnel in the Animal Contact Program. To initiate these services, complete the Animal Contact Form (or “NCSU Vertebrate Animal Contact Questionnaire”) and submit it according to instructions on the form. For Category 1 personnel interested in submitting the Animal Contact Form (or “NCSU Vertebrate Animal Contact Questionnaire”), contact EHS to discuss your concerns prior to submitting the form. Forms are also available from the Medical Surveillance program section of the EHS website.
Prevent Animal-Related Injuries and Illness
To identify the risks associated with the animals you plan to work with see the following link:
https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/zoonoses/
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Workers and supervisors with animal contact are subject ethical, practice, and care standards governed by federal and local laws, regulations and standards. Contact IACUC to ensure compliance with the university’s rigorous program of animal care and use.