Occupational health program

Occupational health at a glance

Program contact

Andy Giddings
UNR Med Safety Officer
University of Nevada, Reno
EH&S MS 0328
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 327-2326
jgiddings@unr.edu 

The University of Nevada, Reno Environmental Health & Safety Occupational Health Program provides information and resources for personnel who have potential occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals, environments, and biological agents.

The Occupational Health Surveillance System (OHSS) is a computer-based system for conducting a risk assessment and corresponding medical evaluation for employees with exposure to animal biohazards, Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)/select agent exposure, and other workplace or laboratory exposures.

Affected individuals are identified below:

  • Supervisors and workers with exposure to animals and BSL-3/select agent workers who do not wear respirators;
  • Personnel with animal exposure or BSL-3/select agent exposure that require respirators in addition to above medical screening;
  • Personnel with non-contact exposure to animals (i.e. maintenance and housekeeping staff, administrators, law enforcement, inspectors, vendors, visitors, etc.);
  • Personnel in the respiratory protection program with no animal contact, outside of BSL-3 settings (i.e. asbestos workers, painters, silica workers, etc.);
  • Personnel wearing respirators voluntarily; and
  • Personnel who wish to decline participation in: Occupational Health Surveillance, Respiratory Protection Program, Hearing Conservation, Hepatitis B Vaccination, etc.

To begin your occupational health and risk assessment, visit the Occupational Health Surveillance System (OHSS) overview page.