Occupational Health and Safety Program

The UGA Research Occupational Health and Safety Program(R-OHSP) provides high-quality preventative healthcare services to the University of Georgia research community under UGA’s Research Occupational Health and Safety Program Policy.

Research Occupational Health and Safety Program Changes

In light of recent personnel changes, we are proactively implementing significant adjustments to enhance the Research Occupational Health and Safety Program (R-OHSP). We are collaborating closely with both on- and off-campus partners to ensure seamless delivery of exceptional services. While we strive to maintain consistent levels of service, there may be temporary delays in risk assessment, service provision, and email responses.

For all non-emergency inquiries, we kindly request that you use our dedicated research occupational health email at occhealth@uga.edu. We are committed to addressing all emails promptly and in the order they are received. Your understanding and patience during this transition are greatly appreciated.

If you encounter an occupational health exposure emergency, we urge you to seek immediate medical care and subsequently contact the PREHS Team at 706-542-5561.

The Office of Research Integrity and Safety administers the OHSP through its Support Services Department. A registered nurses provides risk assessments and occupational health preventative services under the direction of a contracted occupational health physician. The National Research Council’s Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals and the CDC’s Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories are used to provide guidance and benchmarks for the UGA Research Occupational Health and Safety Program.

Can I enroll in the R-OHSP?

The R-OHSP is open for enrollment to:

  • Anyone on an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)-approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP)
  • Anyone on an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)-approved protocol
  • All UGA employees that have potential contact with human bloodborne pathogens, as direct result of their research and/or instruction activity
  • All animal husbandry employees that work for either PHS Assured units or non-PHS Assured units at UGA (e.g. Animal Health Research Center (AHRC), University Research Animal Resources (URAR), Nonhuman Primate Facility (NHPF), agricultural facilities)
  • All persons who enter the NPC but who will have no direct contact with animals
  • All members of UGA’s IACUC or IBC
  • All employees of the Office of Animal Care and Use, Office of Biosafety, Office of Human Subjects, Office of Research Safety and Office of Support Services who have potential contact with animals used in research and/or instruction, biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals
  • Anyone entering a UGA research animal facility and having no direct animal contact (open to non-contact enrollment only)

How do I enroll in the R-OHSP?

Enrollment in the R-OHSP requires submission and risk-assessment of a Research Occupational Health Questionnaire.

The link to this questionnaire can be found in the Professional Education Portal(PEP).

Follow the link above and click Login.  Enter your UGA MYID credentials.  Once authenticated via UGA Central Authentication Services, search for “Research Occupational Health Program” in the search bar.  Select the Research Occupational Health Program Information course and choose launch.  Within the information is a hyperlink to the Research Occupational Health Questionnaire.  Complete the questionnaire and make sure to click on the red arrow at the end of the survey to ensure submission.  Once the questionnaire has been risk assessed, the participant will receive an email from the R-OHSP nurse with recommended services and instructions on how to schedule an appointment via PEP, if services are needed.

You will need to update your Occupational Health Enrollment every 3 years, or more frequently if you have a change in the nature of your work or your personal health status. You can re-enroll by re-accessing the Research Occupational Health Program Information in PEP. You will be prompted to “Request,” the training again, before you are prompted to “Launch.” Re-request the training and then launch to see the link that will allow you to access the Research Occupational Health Questionnaire. Please follow the link to complete this questionnaire and update your enrollment. You can update as frequently as necessary to keep your risk assessment valid with current information.

Respiratory Protection

The R-OHSP now administers the Research Respiratory Protection Program (RRPP). The RRPP provides respiratory training and fit testing for respirators used in research and instruction. The RRPP provides respiratory training and fit testing for respirators used by researchers or class instructors. The RRPP provides medical evaluation and spirometry services at no charge through the Research Occupational Health Clinic for researchers needing the protection of a tight-fitted respirator (e.g. N95, N100). Individuals are identified through their submission of the Occupational Health Questionnaire. The RRPP also provides online training and fit testing services for those individuals who obtain appropriate medical clearance to wear a tight-fitted respirator. The RRPP will also provide training and approval, through the Office of Biosafety, for the use of a Powered Air Purifying respirator (PAPR).

Documents

PDFs function best when downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat.

Research Occupational Health Program Information via PEP
Required for all personnel listed who enter animal facilities and have contact with animals (e.g. Researchers, research staff, URAR staff etc…)

UGA Information Sheet for Non-Contact Animal Exposure
Required for all personnel listed who enter animal facilities but who do not have animal contact (e.g. Physical Plant Staff, vendors, other authorized visitors).

Directions to the Research Occupational Health Clinic

Address:
109 Bowstrom Road
Athens, GA, 30606

Phone: 706-713-2830

Directions: Located at the Clinicial and Translational Research Unit (CTRU) Building on the UGA Health Sciences Campus, next to the University Child Care Center, just off Prince Avenue.

UGA Transit Directions:
The Health Sciences Bus route travels between the UGA main campus and the UGA Health Sciences campus on full service days.  The bus coming from the main campus will end its route at the Health Sciences campus at the round-about near Scott Hall (The Niche).  Head to your left and walk to the far end of the campus to reach the CRTU.

Athens Transit Directions:

Athens Transit bus routes 5 and 6 stop near the UGA Health Sciences Campus on Prince Avenue once an hour.  Check the Athens Transit website for more information.