NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
VERTEBRATE ANIMAL USE – Appendix A
IACUC Office Only
IACUC PROTOCOL
Appendix A. Animal Handler and other Support Staff PPE Assessment
Principal Investigator
Step a: Potential for Contact-Determine if the hazards listed in Section 2 present a dermal and/or inhalation exposure risk to animal
handlers. Using the table below, categorize the level of risk of the dermal and/or inhalation exposure to the animal handler.
Risk Level
Dermal Exposure
High Risk
High potential for splashing or contact with skin,
readily absorbed by the skin, hazard statements
indicating severe skin hazard (i.e., H310-fatal in
contact with skin, H311-toxic in contact with
skin, etc.)
Medium Risk
Potential for contact with the skin, possible
minor splashing, hazard statements indicating
skin hazard (i.e H313-may be harmful in contact
with skin, H316-causes mild skin irritation, etc.)
Low Risk
Very low risk of contact with the skin or
splashing, no hazard statements indicating any
hazards to skin
Inhalation Exposure
High potential for airborne inhalation exposure,
fine, light powders, dust clouds remain in air for
several minutes, liquid boiling point < 112˚F
(<50˚C), liquids sprayed, dripped, aerosolized,
hazard statements indicating severe inhalation
hazard (i.e., may be fatal if swallowed and enters
airways, H330-fatal if inhaled, H331-toxic if
inhaled)
Moderate risk of airborne exposure, crystalline,
granular solids, dust settles quickly, liquid boiling
point 122-203˚F (50-150˚C) , hazard statements
indicating inhalation hazard (i.e., H332-harmful if
inhaled, H335-may cause respiratory irritation,
H334-may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or
breathing difficulties if inhaled)
Very low risk of material becoming airborne,
material is unlikely to become aerosolized or
vaporized, presents minimal risk for inhalation
exposure, pellet-like or larger solids, little dust is
seen during use, liquid boiling point > 302˚F
(150˚C), no hazard statements indicating any
hazards via inhalation
Step b: Contact time-Determine if the amount of time and duration of exposure the animal handler will have with the hazardous
material. This includes all job tasks such as preparing and administering the hazardous material, handling the animal and associated
bedding and excrement, and disposing of animals. Use the chart below to assist you in assigning the proper exposure duration.
Exposure Duration
Short: < 4 hours/day, 2 days/week; <1 hour/day, 3 to 5 days/week
Medium: 4 to 6 hours/day, 3 to 5 days/week
Long: 6 to >8 hours/day, 3 to 5 days/week
Step c: Toxicity Category-For material, determine PPE requirements based on the hazard type (step 4 in the Chemical Hazard
Section) and the exposure risk and duration determined in steps a and b of this Appendix. Use the PPE Requirement Selection Matrix
below to correspond with the PPE requirement groupings listed below. Note: If the hazardous materials present both a dermal and
inhalation exposure risk use the most protective grouping. For example if you have a dermal exposure PPE grouping of 1 and an
inhalation exposure PPE grouping of 3, your PPE selection would be: closed toe shoes with disposable shoe covers, lab coat, safety
glasses, nitrile gloves, and local exhaust ventilation and/or respiratory protection.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
VERTEBRATE ANIMAL USE – Appendix A
PPE Requirement Selection Matrix
Dermal Exposure
Inhalation
Exposure
Dermal Exposure PPE Groups
1
2
3
Closed toe shoes, lab coat, safety glasses, gloves (nitrile unless chemical compatibility issue)
Closed toe shoes with disposable shoe covers, labcoat, safety goggles, gloves (nitrile unless chemical
compatibility issue)
Closed toe shoes with disposable shoe covers, labcoat, safety glasses and face shield, double gloves (nitrile
unless chemical compatibility issue- verify type of glove from at least two sources including specific
manufacturer of glove used)
Inhalation Exposure PPE Groups
1
Closed toe shoes, lab coat, safety glasses, gloves (nitrile unless chemical compatibility issue), optional N95
masks
2
Closed toe shoes with disposable shoe covers, labcoat, safety glasses, gloves (nitrile unless chemical
compatibility issue), local exhaust ventilation (specify chemical fume hood, certified BSC, exhausted and filtered
cage changing/dumping station), may require respirator when used outside of hood based upon EHS review.
3
Closed toe shoes with disposable shoe covers, labcoat or coverall, safety glasses, gloves (nitrile unless
chemical compatibility issue), local exhaust ventilation (specify chemical fume hood, certified BSC, exhausted
and filtered cage changing/dumping station) and respiratory protection when used outside of hood (contact EHS
for help in proper selection of respirator http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/www99/right/handsMan/worker/resp/resp.html)
*Note: these are the minimum requirements for PPE when working with hazardous materials in respective categories. You
may select additional or more protective PPE than what is listed above.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
VERTEBRATE ANIMAL USE – Appendix A
Step d: Document the required PPE for Animal Handlers and other Support Staff
PPE Group (1, 2 or 3):
Was a glove compatibility chart checked and nitrile gloves are confirmed suitable
Yes
No
If No, use Silver Shield gloves with nitrile gloves over top for dexterity (note if Silver Shield is not compatible, contact EHS for
assistance with glove selection).
Check which engineering controls will be used:
Chemical fume hood
Certified BSC
Other:
Exhausted and filtered cage changing/dumping station
If respiratory protection is required, contact EHS to determine the appropriate respirator type and specify the required respirator.
Note: The use of a respirator at NCSU requires users to be part of the respiratory protection program which includes medical evaluation and
clearance as well as annual fit testing and training. Please see http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/www99/right/handsMan/worker/resp/resp.html
List Make and Model of selected PPE for all items in PPE Groups 2 and 3:
In this section, please document any additional safety and health warnings or concerns (i.e., pregnant women or women considering
becoming pregnant should not be exposed to CHEMICAL X)
Appendix A completed by:
Department:
Date:
Title: