Occupational Health and Occupational Health and Safety in Veterinary HospitalsSafety in Veterinary Hospitals

What is OSHA?What is OSHA? OSHA = Occupational Safety and

Health Administration Enforces federal laws to ensure safe

workplace for American workers www.osha.gov

Employee Safety RightsEmployee Safety Rights You have the right to expect your

workplace to be reasonably free from hazards.

Bring concerns to attention of supervisor first.

If complaints are not taken seriously by employer of if dangerous situation not adequately addressed, employee has right to bring issue to attention of regional OSHA office.

Employee Safety RightsEmployee Safety Rights Medical evaluations, radiation

exposure reports, and previous workplace accident/injury reports must be made available to employee for review.

Employee Safety ResponsibilitiesEmployee Safety Responsibilities It is your responsibility to learn and follow

safety rules and practices that have been established for your job position.

You can be disciplined by employer for willful violations of any safety rule or standard.

It is your responsibility to:◦Read OSHA poster◦Comply with applicable standards◦Wear prescribed PPE◦Report hazardous conditions to supervisor◦Report job-related injuries and seek treatment

promptly

OSHA LiteratureOSHA Literature

Employer RightsEmployer Rights Practice owners must be given ample time to correct any safety-related problems.

Owner has right to be present during OSHA inspection

Employee not authorized to allow inspection without employer present

OSHA inspector can get court order to enter practice without owner permission

Employer ResponsibilitiesEmployer Responsibilities Employer must make a reasonable effort

to identify hazards present, correct the ones that can be eliminated, and control the ones that cannot be eliminated.

Practice must comply with OSHA laws by:◦Establishing general safety procedures◦Establishing emergency protocols◦Enforce rules diligently◦Provide safety training for all employees

General Workplace HazardsGeneral Workplace Hazards Every practice should have a written

Hospital Safety Manual.

Appropriate DressAppropriate Dress Protective footwear Appropriately-fitting uniform/attire Minimal, if any, jewelry Tie back long hair PPE whenever deemed necessary

Save Your Back!Save Your Back! Back injuries account for 1 in 5

workplace injuries in the U.S. Rules for lifting:◦Keep back straight◦Lift with legs◦Never bend over at waist to lift◦Get help if lifting over 40 lbs.◦Follow ergonomic principles

Special precautions when working with large animals

Clean Up After Yourself!Clean Up After Yourself! Some injuries caused by cluttered or

dirty work areas Clutter contributes to severity of

accidents Cleanliness and organization are good

business standards, especially in healthcare facility

Clean up spills appropriately as soon as they happen.

Put Everything in Its PlacePut Everything in Its Place Heavy supplies should be stored on

lower shelves. Chemicals should be stored on

shelves at or below eye level. Do not overload shelves or cabinets. Use tight-fitting lids on liquid

containers. Use step ladders to reach high

locations.

Beware of Break TimesBeware of Break Times Ingestion of pathogenic microorganisms

or harmful chemicals while eating on job is possible in vet. hospitals.

Eat and drink only in designated areas. Prepare food only in eating areas. Always store food, drinks, condiments,

and snacks in a separate refrigerator from the one used to store biologic or chemical hazards, such as vaccines, drugs, and lab samples.

Machinery and EquipmentMachinery and Equipment Never operate machinery without all

the proper guards in place.◦Fans, cage dryers, etc.

When using autoclaves, microwave ovens, cautery irons, or other heating devices, be sure to understand the proper rules for safe operation

Electrical Electrical Only persons trained to perform

maintenance duties should repair electrical appliances, outlets, switches, fixtures, or breakers.

Never use surge protectors with portable heaters, autoclaves, or coffeepots because they may overheat and cause a fire.

Make sure electrical equip. is properly grounded if using in a wet area

Don’t run extension cords through windows or doorways.

Fire and EvacuationFire and Evacuation Store flammable liquidsproperly◦Good ventilation◦Tight-fitting lids

Keep flammable materials (i.e. newspapers, boxes, cleaning chemicals) at least 3 feet away from ignition source (i.e. water heater, furnace, or stove).

Be familiar with emergency exits.◦Unlocked, free from obstructions

Fire and EvacuationFire and Evacuation Learn the emergency warning system in

your hospital. Know your duties in the event of a fire. Know where fire extinguishers are

located and how to use them. Before using fire extinguisher make sure:◦Alarm has been sounded◦Everyone has left (or is leaving) building◦Fire dept. has been called

Fire and EvacuationFire and Evacuation National Fire Protection Association

recommends that you never attempt to fight a fire if:◦Fire is spreading beyond immediate are where

it started or it involves any part of the building structure.

◦Fire could block your escape route◦You are unsure of the proper operation of the

extinguisher◦You are in doubt that the extinguisher you are

holding is designed for the type of fire and hand or is large enough to suppress the fire.

Do Not Become a Victim of ViolenceDo Not Become a Victim of Violence Vehicle accidents, personal assault, robbery, and natural disasters cannot always be prevented; however, preparation can help to minimize injury

Always be aware of surroundings Control access through front door in critical care or 24-hour practices◦One-way locks◦Common sense

Cooperate with demands of

robbers and give them what they

want but never go with them Get help ASAP!

Hazardous Chemicals: Right to KnowHazardous Chemicals: Right to Know

Every chemical has the potential to cause harm◦Contribute to health problems◦Flammable and pose fire threat

Most common chemicals in veterinary practice:◦Cleaning and disinfecting agents◦ Insecticides and pesticides◦Drugs and medications (i.e. anesthetic gases)◦Sterilization agents◦Radiology processing fluids

Right to Know Right to Know OSHA’s Right to Know law requires you to

be informed of all chemicals you may be exposed to while doing your job and requires you to wear all safety equipment prescribed by manufacturer when using a product containing a hazardous chemical.◦Employer must provide safety equipment at no

cost to employee --- not optional Material Safety Data Sheets are a key

component of the hazardous materials plan.