Fontes Benjamin
Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
ILAR J. 2008;49(3):326-37. doi: 10.1093/ilar.49.3.326.
The mechanisms for controlling microbial contamination in research animals are similar to those for preventing exposure among animal handlers to naturally occurring pathogens, research-related biohazards, or animal allergens. Research and resource preservation are the primary goals of each approach, and an appropriate assessment of risk is their foundation. The identification of potential risks enables the implementation of relevant risk management or control measures. This article summarizes the components of an occupational health and safety program for animal handlers, including screening, training, work practices, effective use of engineering controls, selection and use of personal protective equipment, and emergency response protocols. The features of a risk assessment and risk management program and the level of interaction and training required to implement and sustain the program correlate well with programs designed to control microbial contamination in laboratory animals. This article includes an explanation of the five Ps of risk assessment and risk management. Pathogens and the proposed experimental procedures account for the first two Ps; the other three focus on training and awareness of the personnel involved in the experiment, protective equipment and work practices, and factors associated with the place (or facility) where the research will be conducted. Animal handlers comprehension and knowledge determine the success of any containment program, and so this review also includes a discussion of critical teaching points for animal handlers and of the importance of evaluating personnel to verify their proficiency and competence in required protocols.
控制实验动物微生物污染的机制，与防止动物饲养人员接触自然存在的病原体、与研究相关的生物危害或动物过敏原的机制相似。研究和资源保护是每种方法的主要目标，而对风险进行适当评估则是其基础。识别潜在风险有助于实施相关的风险管理或控制措施。本文总结了动物饲养人员职业健康与安全计划的组成部分，包括筛查、培训、工作规范、工程控制措施的有效使用、个人防护装备的选择和使用，以及应急响应预案。风险评估和风险管理计划的特点，以及实施和维持该计划所需的互动和培训水平，与旨在控制实验动物微生物污染的计划密切相关。本文还解释了风险评估和风险管理的五个“P”。病原体和拟开展的实验程序构成了前两个“P”；另外三个“P”则侧重于参与实验人员的培训和意识、防护装备和工作规范，以及与研究开展地点（或设施）相关的因素。动物饲养人员的理解和知识水平决定了任何控制计划的成败，因此本综述还讨论了针对动物饲养人员的关键教学要点，以及评估人员以验证其在所需规程方面的熟练程度和能力的重要性。
