Health Monitoring & Surveillance

Overview

Health monitoring and surveillance are the processes of evaluating the health of worker(s) as it relates to their potential exposure in the workplace or lab to biohazardous agents, monitor the results of an exposure, and arranging for and monitoring post-exposure prophylaxis.

Health monitoring and surveillance are a systems of ongoing health checks. All medical information is kept in strict confidence within the Occupational Health department.

Health surveillance is necessary where there is exposure to:

Blood Borne Pathogens, e.g., hepatitis B, HIV and TB
Sensitizers, animal allergens and respirable toxins
Noise, laser, and radiation
Substances with systemic toxicity e.g., lead

Health surveillance is conducted when:

An individual being exposed to a hazardous substance that is linked to an identifiable disease of adverse health effect
There is a reasonable chance that the disease or adverse health effect may occur under the conditions of work
There are valid techniques of detecting disease or adverse health effects

Health surveillance is important for:

Detecting ill-health effects at an early stage, and ensuring better controls to prevent them getting worse
Providing data to help evaluate health risks in the workplace
Enabling employees to raise concerns about how work affects their health
Highlighting lapses in workplace control measures and providing invaluable feedback to the risk assessment
Providing an opportunity to reinforce training and education of employees on the impact of health effects and the use of protective equipment

Animal Exposure Program

The goal of KAUST’s Animal Exposure Program is to provide a safe work environment and prevent injury and illness for those exposed to animals during their work. The main emphasis is on prevention, avoidance, control, or elimination of hazards associated with exposure to and handling of animals. Enrollment in this program is mandatory for all IACUC protocol participants and others exposed to animals in the course of their work. Those exposed to animals will be enrolled into the program by their supervisor.

Who needs to be enrolled in the Animal Exposure Medical Evaluation program?

Laboratory personnel working with any human or human derived materials (cell lines, tissues, bodily fluids, etc.) should receive the Hepatitis B and Tetanus Diphtheria (TD) vaccination. The TD and Hepatitis B vaccine and the subsequent titer testing (Hepatitis B only) is made available to all employees and students with occupational exposure.

Tetanus Diphtheria

Hepatitis B

Rabies

What do I do if need a vaccine booster?

If it has been identified that you require a tetanus diphtheria, Hepatitis B or Rabies vaccination through a health surveillance program (e.g., Animal Exposure program screening program, Blood borne pathogen exposure program) you will require documentation to support your vaccination status (including titer where vaccination records cannot be produced). In the Kingdom, vaccinations can be provided at KAUST health. More information can be found by visiting the Immunization Program here.