A: Anyone who engages in vertebrate animal activies at OU for the purpose of research, teaching, and/or testing. Visitors and short-term volunteers may not need to go through the OU clearance process, if they can provide the IACUC office with documentation that they have completed equivalent clearances through their home institution.
A: The University department, PI, and supervisor named on your AHQ will be used to process billing associated with the review of your AHQ responses by an occupational health specialist. If you run your own lab and you control an account, you can name yourself as your PI/supervisor.
A: The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals defines the standards by which research institutions need to operate if they use animals. The 2011, eighth edition of this book states: “Each institution must establish and maintain an occupational health and safety program (OHSP) as an essential part of the overall Program of animal care and use.” External oversight agencies have interpreted this statement to mean that every animal user must have some sort of annual interaction with a health care professional to get cleared to work with animals.
A: It depends on the granting agency, but usually you can. It’s ok for NSF and NIH.
A: No. These documents contain confidential health information. You have to fill in the form yourself and send it in yourself.
A: Only the occupational health professional that reviews your AHQ will have access to it; Goddard will only notify the IACUC of the outcome of AHQ evaluation (i.e., whether you are or are not medically cleared to work with animals at OU).
A: The Goddard occupational health professional that reviews your AHQ may request a person-to-person consultation if they have concerns. If this happens, you may continue to work with Goddard or you could seek a consultation with your regular health care provider to go over the questionnaire, your medical history, and your job duties in more detail.
