Animal Care and Use Committee
Guidance for Visitors

Guidance on Training, Occupational Health and Safety for Visitors (non-employees) to WFUSM who will be exposed to research animals

Some Non-employees visiting WFUSM observe or participate in research activities involving animals.  Exposure to research animals can include risk to visitors and to research animals.  For example, persons with suppressed immune systems are vulnerable to illness from some animals.  On the other hand, some diseases like M. Tuberculosis can be managed medically in humans but is deadly for some animals. 

Considerations at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE the visit

1.     Will the visitor be within 10 feet of a live research animal or handle animal tissues?

a.      Yes. Submit the Animal Exposure Questionnaire from the WFU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which will assist you in determining medical (occupational health) and training requirements. Contact MJ Busa (mjbusa@wfubmc.edu, 336 716-3407) with questions.  Then, go to 2.

b.      No, then no action is needed related to animal research.

2.     Will the visitor be at WFUSM for more than 3 days?

a.      Yes. 

                                                  i.      Non-employees. Submit the Agreement for Non-Employees form and the Non-employee Hazard Assessment form to WFUSM Human Resources.  Participate in WFUSM orientation, usually Monday afternoon.  Contact Donna Wall (dwall@wfubmc.edu, 336 716-2386). Add the visitor to you IACUC protocol(s) by submitting an Amendment - Personnel Only Form to the IACUC.

                                                 ii.      Visiting/Volunteering Faculty. Contact Adrienne Cunningham (acunning@wfubmc.edu, 336 716-1977) in WFUSM Faculty Services.  Add the visitor to you IACUC protocol(s) by submitting an Amendment - Personnel Only Form to the IACUC.

b.      No.  Although the visitor is here for only a short period, animal research-related medical and training requirements still apply (item 1.a above); use this set of forms:3 Day Visitor Animal Exposure Packet The visitor is, however, likely to be exempt from Human Resources proecures and WFUSM orientation.  The visitor should be escorted at all times by the WFUSM sponsor, or designee.  It is recommended that the WFUSM sponsor retain a copy of the Agreement for Non-Employees in department files.

3.     What are animal related training, safety and medical requirements?

The linked Animal Contact Table and Occupational Health Table list requirements and is provided for information purposes.  For actual requirements, use the contacts above.  Requirements depend on species, level of exposure to animals, and the type of activities that will performed.