Biosafety Occupational Health Program

The Texas A&M University Biosafety Occupational Health Program (BOHP) facilitates occupational health services for individuals participating in activities involving biohazards and/or animals under the oversight of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), or that work in university facilities where animals are treated or housed. These services include risk assessment, access to pre-exposure prophylaxis and mitigations, post-exposure incident response, and access to an occupational health provider.

Report an Incident / Concern

The BOHP provides eligible participants with access to educational resources, occupational health services, and to an occupational health provider. Specifically, the BOHP addresses occupational exposure to the following:

Biohazardous materials

Biohazardous materials handled in IBC permitted research, teaching or diagnostic laboratories at Biosafety Level 2 or higher including:

  • Biological select agents and toxins;
  • Human pathogens or zoonotic pathogens of animals;
  • Materials potentially containing human pathogens (e.g., human or non-human primate blood, body fluids, unfixed tissues, or cell lines- including commercially available lines);
  • Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and cells, organisms, and viruses containing such molecules.

Animal related injuries or illness

Animal related injuries or illness, including:

  • Development of animal-related allergies or asthma;
  • Animal bites or scratches that break the skin or;
  • Exposure of mucus membranes or non-intact skin to animal waste or body fluids.

Enrollment

Individuals at risk of exposure to infectious biohazards or animals during their participation in, or operational support of IBC or IACUC approved activities, as well as those employed in university facilities where animals are treated or housed must enroll in the BOHP annually.

access the enrollment questionnaire

Resources

Texas A&M UNiversity

BOHP Manual

Texas A&M University is committed to providing a safe and healthful work and educational environment. The University has established the Biosafety Occupational Health Program (BOHP) to prevent injury and illness among personnel who may be at risk of occupational exposure to biohazards and animals.

View the Manual

Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) are microorganisms that may be present in human (and non-human primate) blood, body fluids, and unfixed cells and tissues. Bloodborne pathogens can cause disease in humans.

Employees who have an occupational risk of exposure to human blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) must complete BBP training on an annual basis.

Respiratory Protection

The Texas A&M University Biosafety Occupational Health Program (BOHP) provides respiratory protection services for individuals at risk of exposure to infectious biohazards or animal allergens during their participation in IBC or IACUC approved activities as well as to those working in university facilities where animals are housed or treated.

Working with Animals

Individuals at risk of exposure to animals during their participation in, or operational support of, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) permitted research, teaching, or diagnostic activities are required to enroll in the Biosafety Occupational Health Program (BOHP).

The IACUC may require an individual to complete specific animal related training(s) prior to beginning work duties or research. 

BOHP

Training Courses

The Biosafety Occupational Health Program provides a variety of training online through the Texas A&M TrainTraq system (for employees) and the Gateway system (for students and visitors). For questions about the training below, email BOHP staff or call (979) 845-6649.

Researchers Who Work with Pregnant Sheep Inside Facilities

Course 2111497

This training provides an overview of the Texas A&M Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) policy on working with pregnant sheep inside facilities and a brief summary on Coxiella burnetti, the etiologic agent of Q fever.

Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Training

Course 2111580

PAPR training covers the proper use of a PAPR, donning and doffing procedures, the benefits and limitations of using a PAPR, and general cleaning, maintenance, and storage procedures for a PAPR.

Animal Allergens and Asthma Training

Course 2113938

This training provides an overview of animal allergens and how to address them in the work place.

CITI

CITI is a web-based ethics-training site utilized by Texas A&M University for those individuals involved in the animal care and use program. A variety of species-specific courses, covering topics such as occupational health hazards and zoonoses, are available in CITI. Species-specific courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Swine
  • Cattle
  • Horses
  • Sheep and Goats
  • Fish
  • Wildlife Research
  • Reptiles

CITI Access

To access courses in CITI, individuals must create an account and select Texas A&M University as their participating institution (organization affiliation).

Log into CiTI

Additional Resources

Animal Use Area

Signage

Biosafety Occupational Health Program

Brochure

Rabies Awareness

Fact Sheet

Reproductive Hazards

Fact Sheet

Working with Freshwater Fishes

Fact Sheet

National Academies Press

Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals by ILAR

Book