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Introduction

To ensure a safe and healthy work environment for the research community at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Campus, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research has established a mandatory Animal Care and Use Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program for all personnel having direct or indirect contact with research and teaching animals. The goal of the OHS Program is to eliminate or control hazards by identifying risks, implementing safety controls and providing training to prevent adverse health effects due to animal contact.

Many unique risks are associated with exposure to research and teaching animals including animal allergies, scratches, bites, zoonoses, as well as chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. Several health and safety professionals from across campus work together to provide participants with a comprehensive OHS program which address these risks.  A variety of training modules and educational information is available at the different departmental websites. These departments can be contacted directly to answer your questions or concerns.

Please proceed to the Program Requirements section of this web page to begin your enrollment in the OHS Program. If you have any questions concerning the Occupational Health and Safety Program for Animal Users and Care Staff, please contact the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.