IACUC Guidance for Visitors

Guidance on Training, Occupational Health and Safety for Visitors (non-employees) to WFSM Who Will be Exposed to Research Animals:

Some non-employees visiting WFSM 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.  

Things to consider at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE your visit:

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

• 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 Miranda Moore (mlmoore@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3540) with questions. 
  Then, go to 2.
• No, then no action is needed related to animal research.

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

• Yes. Contact Human Resources: Workforce Planning and Development (workforcedev@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-4546) to onboard your visitor. Add the visitor to you IACUC protocol(s) by submitting a personnel amendment to the IACUC.  
• No. Although the visitor is here for only a short period, some animal research-related medical and training requirements may still apply (item 1.a above); use this set of forms: Short-term Visitor Animal Exposure Packet. The visitor is likely to be exempt from Human Resources procedures and WFBMC orientation. Contact IACUC staff for assistance. The visitor should be escorted at all times by the WFSM sponsor, or designee.

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.