Barry K. Levin; Michael K. Stoskopf
Office of Occupation Medicine and Safety, Division of Occupational Medicine, Baltimore, MD
An aquarium facility presents many unique health hazards to its employees. An approach to the design of an Occupational Medicine and Safety program to meet the needs of an aquarium requires a knowledge and familiarity with specific risks that are presented in the workplace. Potential hazards can be divided into categories.
Biological hazards include exposure to infectious agents (e.g. zoonoses), allergens, poisons and bites. Toxic substances include disinfectants (e.g. ozone, Chlorine), veterinary drugs, ultraviolet light, pesticides and others. Safety hazards can be quite varied-obstructions and obstacles to access to the animals, electrical hazards, slippery surfaces, and others.