Revised UF Animal Contact Program

William S. Properzio, Ph.D. Director, Environmental Health and Safety Division

Following recommendation of the Animal Care Advisory Council, the University of Florida has made changes to its Animal Contact Program. UF originally designed the Program to meet the requirements of the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). With the expanded AAALAC requirements, the revised program now includes a mandatory risk assessment for all individuals who work with animals or enter animal facilities at UF.

For new employees, the risk assessment will be done during the post-offer health assessment. For current employees who have not already completed the risk assessment, this will be done at the time of the annual Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee proposal update.

The risk assessment for animal contact will be required for individuals requesting security clearance to Animal Care Services (ACS). Failure to successfully obtain medical clearance for animal contact may directly impact an individual’s ability to use the ACS facilities.

The new Animal Contact risk assessment form along with the updated Information Packet and Handbook can be found at the following EH&S web site: http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/Animal/acweb.htm.