Abstract:

With the rapid development of the laboratory animal industry in China, animal experimentation has become a crucial tool for scientific research output and classroom teaching in universities, leading to a growing contingent of laboratory animal practitioners. Although the government has begun to prioritize the occupational health of these practitioners and implemented relevant regulations and policies in recent years, the prevention and control of occupational health hazards for laboratory animal workers in universities remains a weak link at this stage. Therefore, focusing on the management practices of university laboratory animal research centers, we conducted an in-depth investigation into the current status of occupational health management and protection for laboratory animal practitioners in nine domestic general universities through visits, discussions, and academic exchanges. This investigation identified five major occupational health risks faced by these practitioners, including laboratory animal allergies, zoonotic infectious diseases, mechanical injuries, chemical irritants, and psychological factors. It also highlighted several key issues commonly found in universities, such as inadequate management systems, lack of risk assessment mechanisms, and insufficient protective facilities. In response to these issues, the study proposes a three-tiered prevention and control system. At the university level, it is necessary to improve the institutional framework and increase funding. At the laboratory animal center level, animal biosafety laboratories should be established, and the management and control of hazard sources, emergency response drills, and health monitoring should be strengthened. At the level of laboratory animal practitioners, it is essential to standardize the use of protective equipment, participate in occupational health training, strictly follow safe operating procedures, and promptly report occupational exposure incidents.Through on multi-party collaboration, this study analyzes and explores feasible paths for constructing a scientific and efficient occupational health protection system in domestic universities, aiming to provide theoretical support and practical references for the sustainable development of the laboratory animal industry.

Key words: University, Laboratory animal professionals, Occupational health