OBJECTIVE

To establish the procedures, requirements, organizational responsibilities, guidance, safety and health precautions governing tasks involving occupational exposure to certain biological agents for all individuals at the University of Florida who may be potentially exposed to these biological agents including bacteria, viruses, toxins, prions, and cells, tissues, animals or vectors that could harbor these agents.

AUTHORITY

By authority delegated from the University President, the Vice-President for Business Affairs is responsible for the safety of all University facilities. Under this authority, policies are developed to provide a safe teaching, research, service, housing and recreational environment.

POLICY

Enrollment in the Biohazards Medical Monitoring Program, part of UF’s Occupational Medicine Program, is required for all those working with risk group 3 agents in a BSL3 laboratory. Other participants may include individuals with potential exposure to human pathogens or with potential occupational exposure to Orthopox viruses, HIV, Hepatitis, Influenza, Arboviruses, and certain Zoonotics (e.g., Q fever, Monkey B virus, etc.).

RESPONSIBILITIES

COSTS

There are fees assessed by the Student Health Care Center for these services. This cost is borne by the individual’s department, not the applicant. The Student Health Care Center accepts Purchase Order Numbers and P-card numbers for payment. This information can be obtained from your department’s fiscal expert. In cases where these are not payment options, contact the SHCC to discuss payment. The SHCC fee schedule is typically updated each year in August.

PROCEDURES

These forms should be completed at the time a department fills a vacant position in instances where it has been determined that oversight is necessary due to the potential for exposure to biohazards. These forms should also be completed any time an individual’s exposure potential changes and on an annual basis.

1. The department completes the first section of the Authorization Form.
   • The participant’s UFID must be included on the form. Lack of this UFID will prevent the SHCC review process.
   • The fiscal contact and payment for SHCC services must be included on the form. Insufficient payment info will delay risk assessment review.
   • The PI/Supervisor must sign the department section and have the form submitted to EH&S.
2. Environmental Health and Safety must complete the second section of the Authorization Form.
   • EH&S documents any specific risk assessment information.
   • EH&S makes respirator use recommendations.
   • EH&S’ signature authorizes participation in the Program.
   • EH&S submits the Authorization Form to the SHCC and notifies the department of its completion.
3. The participant completes the Biohazards Medical Assessment Questionnaire.
   • Participants who will handle Risk Group 3 agents or will be present when agent(s) are in active use must submit the completed questionnaire and contact the SHCC at 352-294-5700 for a physical examination.  Participants on a short-term visit and who will not handle agents (short-term visitors, guests, vendors or contractors) only need to submit a completed questionnaire unless upon review the SHCC determines that additional information is required.
   • Completed Questionnaires may be submitted to the SHCC by email to OccMedClinic-RiskAssessment@ahc.ufl.edu.
   • The participant contacts EH&S at 352-392-1591 for a respirator fit test if medically cleared for a filtering face piece (e.g. N95) respirator. N95 online training must be completed annually.  Please note Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) training will be conducted by your supervisor (or designated EH&S approved trainer). Please contact your supervisor prior to using a PAPR for this training.
4. The UF OCCMED Service provider conducts the health assessment.
   • For participants who will handle Risk Group 3 agents or will be present when agent(s) are in active use, the health assessment begins with a physical exam by the provider. For participants on a short-term visit and who will not handle agents (short-term visitors, guests, vendors or contractors), the health assessment begins with the provider review of the submitted medical assessment questionnaire. If necessary they contact the participant for further clinical interaction or a medical consultation.
   • When the health assessment is complete, the UF OCCMED Clinic enters the status in myUFL.