Occupational Health and Safety Program

Enrollment Process

The Research Occupational Health and Safety Program (R-OHSP) is open for enrollment to anyone:

  • on an IACUC-approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP).
  • on an IBC-approved protocol.
  • who has potential contact with human bloodborne pathogens as a direct result of their research activity.
  • who is an employee of UGA University Research Animal Resources (URAR) and has contact with animals used in research and/or instruction
  • who is an animal husbandry employee of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Health Research Center.
  • who is an animal husbandry employee of the UGA Nonhuman Primate Facility facility.
  • who enters UGA’s Nonhuman Primate Facility, even if there is no direct animal contact. (Primate Non-Contact Program)
  • who is employed at a UGA animal satellite facility and who has contact with animals used in research and/or instruction
  • who is a member of UGA’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or UGA’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

How do I enroll in the R-OHSP?

There are several steps that are necessary for enrollment:

1- You must first be assigned or self-identify as qualifying for enrollment.  You will either be assigned, or you can search for Research Occupational Health Program Information in the Professional Education Portal (PEP).

2- Read the Research Occupational Health Program Information and then follow the embedded link to the Research Occupational Health Questionnaire. You can mark your Research Occupational Health Program Information course as complete on your PEP transcript. (THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE ENROLLED, only that you have completed the review of the program information).

3 – Complete the Research Occupational Health Questionnaire and confirm risk information with your supervisor or Principal Investigator > Submit

4 – Your Research Occupational Health Questionnaire will be risk assessed by the Research Occupational Health Nurse, who will make any relevant recommendations for preventative healthcare services. During the risk assessment process, you will see a course entitled Research Occupational Health Enrollment as “registered” on your PEP Active transcript.  This registered status will confirm that risk assessment is ongoing.

5 – If there are necessary services, you will receive an email from the nurse with instructions on how to make an appointment for services.  You will see a course entitled Research Occupational Health Services Recommended as “registered” on your PEP Active transcript.  This registered status will confirm that you have been emailed about necessary preventative healthcare services.

6 – Once all services have been completed, your status for both Research Occupational Health Services Recommended and Research Occupational Health Enrollment will change to “completed” and you are now considered enrolled in the program.

Can I decline participation in the R-OHSP?

Usually.  If you want to decline, you must still complete the Research Occupational Health Questionnaire, although you can stop when you have selected your declination.  We must still have this form as proof of your declination.  Alternately, you can choose to decline specific service recommendations, but you may be required to sign additional declinations.  There are some specific projects that require R-OHSP participation and you are required to participate in the R-OHSP if you are a URAR employee with animal contact. To determine if you can decline participation, please check with your supervisor.

Is there a charge for participation in the R-OHSP?

Risk assessment and most preventative healthcare services are provided to the UGA research community free-of-charge. However, there may be instances where project-specific services may incur a charge to the Principal Investigator. The Research Occupational Health Nurse will communicate about any charges prior to the provision of services.

Where are services provided?

The R-OHSP operates its own occupational health clinic on the Health Sciences Campus. Approval and appointments are required. The R-OHSP physician is available by referral at local community healthcare clinic. For more information, contact the occupational health nurse at occhealth@uga.edu

How often must I re-enroll in the R-OHSP?

R-OHSP enrollment is good for 3 years from the date of the submission of your questionnaire. If you have significant changes in your job duties or your personal health status, you are encouraged to re-enroll at any time.