1. Occupational Health and Safety in Veterinary Hospitals
Chapter 6
Occupational Health and Safety
in Veterinary Hospitals

2. Learning Objectives
Describe the role of OSHA in veterinary practice safety
List the general requirements of the federal laws related to workplace safety
Explain proper methods for lifting objects and animals
List common workplace hazards in a veterinary facility 2

3. Learning Objectives
Describe the requirements and the OSHA “right to know” law
Explain the acronym MSDS and describe the components of an MSDS
List the hazards associated with the use of ethylene oxide, formalin, glutaraldehyde, anesthetic gases, and compressed gases 3

4. Learning Objectives
Define the term zoonotic disease and list common zoonotic diseases encountered in the veterinary practice
List methods to minimize the hazards associated with animal handling
Describe the proper handling of hazardous and medical wastes 4

5. Safety on the Job Can Affect a Veterinary Practice
Personal injury
Hazards
Infectious diseases
Harmful chemicals
Radiation
Animal-induced 5

6. What is OSHA?
Locate and read all of the safety notices where you work. 6

7. Why is OSHA Important? Enforces federal laws
Helps ensure a safe workplace for American workers
Employers have responsibilities
Safety program
Safety training
OSHA Form 300A
OSHA Form 300A is a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses. 7

8. Employer Responsibility
Safety training can be conducted in a formal session and enhanced by one-on-one discussions. 8

9. Employee Responsibilities
Learn and follow safety rules
Read the OSHA poster
Comply with applicable standards
Wear or use personal protective equipment
Report hazardous conditions
Report job-related injury or illness
Seek treatment promptly 9

10. General Workplace Hazard
Attire
Dress appropriately for job at hand
Minimal jewelry, if any
Dress appropriately for the job at hand.
This includes protective footwear and minimal, if any, jewelry. 10

11. General Workplace Hazard
Lifting
Remember to keep your back straight and lift with your legs.
Discuss Case Presentation 6-1 (page 124). 11

12. General Workplace Hazard
Clutter
Lack of cleanliness 12

13. General Workplace Hazard
Ineffective organization
Improper storage
Improper storage of materials can lead to serious injury. 13

14. General Workplace Hazard
Break times
Eating and drinking in designated area
Away from clinic areas 14

15. General Workplace Hazard
Machinery and equipment
Proper operation
Proper use
Dangers in using
Be aware of the dangers in using autoclaves, cautery devices, and branding irons. 15

16. General Workplace Hazard
Electricity
Overloaded surge suppressors or extension cords can start a fire. 16

17. General Workplace Hazard
Fire and evacuation
Read and follow directions on your specific extinguisher.
Most portable fire extinguishers work according to the PASS directions.
P: Pull the pin (some extinguishers require some motion such as releasing a lock latch).
A: Aim low (point extinguisher horn or hose at base of fire).
S: Squeeze the handle (this releases extinguishing agent).
S: Sweep from side to side at base of fire until it appears to be out.
Watch fire area, and repeat use of extinguisher if needed.
Remember the word PASS 17

18. General Workplace Hazard
Violence
Barriers
Personal safety includes the diligent use of locks and barriers to deter unauthorized persons from entering the facility. 18

19. General Workplace Hazard
Hazardous chemicals
Most common chemicals used
Cleaning and disinfecting agents
Insecticides and pesticides
Drugs and medications
Sterilization agents
Radiology processing fluids
“Right to Know” law 19

20. Secondary Container Warning Label
Figure shows an example of a secondary container hazard working label. 20

21. Material Safety Data Sheet
An MSDS contains safety information that may not be indicated on the product label. 21

22. Precautions in Working with Hazardous Chemicals
Storage
Mixing and diluting
Spill clean-up
When making solutions from a concentrate, always start with the correct amount of water and then add the concentrate. 22

23. Chemical Spill Clean-up
Step 1: Keep people and pets away
Step 2: Increase ventilation
Step 3: Put on protective gloves, apron, and protective eyewear if indicated
Step 4: Cover spill with absorbent materials
Step 5: Sweep saturated absorbent materials into dustpan and deposit in plastic trash bag 23

24. Chemical Spill Clean-up
These are steps to clean up a dangerous chemical spill.
Step 1: Unnecessary people and pets could spread the spilled material.
Step 2: Increase ventilation by opening a window or turning on an exhaust fan; don’t use electric equipment and avoid turning on or off electric switches when cleaning up spilled flammable materials.
Step 3: Wear protective clothing if it is likely that your clothing will become contaminated during clean-up.
Step 4: Absorbent materials include paper towels or cat litter; they allow absorbent material to fully collect the liquid.

25. Chemical Spill Clean-up
Step 6: Seal trash bag, and dispose of it
Step 7: Wash contaminated area thoroughly and allow area to air-dry. Wash with plain water or a detergent (not a disinfectant) if permissible by instructions in the MSDS.
Step 8: Remove protective equipment, and dispose of single-use items
Step 9: Wash hands thoroughly and change contaminated clothing
Step 10: Replace used materials in spill kit 25

26. Ethylene Oxide Ethylene oxide (ETO) Glutaraldehyde Gas sterilization
ETO is thought to be a human carcinogen, so special precautions must be maintained.
Glutaraldehyde
“Cold sterilization” 26

27. Formalin Used for tissue preservation
When possible, use only biopsy jars filled with formalin to prevent excessive exposure.
Human carcinogen
Formalin is probably human carcinogen, so use special precautions. 27

28. Glutaraldehyde “Cold sterilization” methods
Disinfectants are designed to kill living organisms, so they must be handled safely. 28

29. Animal-Related Hazards
Handling patients
Restraint devices
Bathing, dipping, and spraying areas
Personal protection equipment
Ventilation
Eye-wash station 29

30. Animal-Related Hazard
Noise
Ear protection
Hearing protectors should always be used in noisy kennels. 30

31. Zoonotic Diseases Common pathogens
Viruses
Rabies is a serious viral disease.
Bacteria
Bacterial pathogens include Borrelia burgdorferi (cause Lyme disease) as well as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, Pasteurella, and Pseudomonas species.
Fungi
Ringworm is caused by a fungus of the Microsporum species.
Internal parasites
Roundworms and hookworms are internal parasites.
External parasites
An example of an external parasite is the irritating and itchy mite that causes sarcoptic mange.
Protozoans
Toxoplasmosis is an infestation by a protozoan.
Other zoonotic protozoans are Giardia and Coccidia. 31

32. Non-Zoonotic Diseases
Not serious concern to human health
Highly contagious
Examples
Parvoviral enteritis in dogs
Panleukemia in cats
Personal protection equipment
Protective measures 32

33. Precautions for Dentistry Operations
Aerosolized microbes
Personal protection equipment
Microbes may become aerosolized by use of a high-speed and ultrasonic scaler.
Always wear eye protection, a mask, and gloves when performing dental prophylaxis procedures. 33

34. Radiology Concerns Individual dosimeter badge
Personal protection equipment
Collimation
Processing chemicals
Never place your hand or any part of your body in the primary beam when taking radiographs! 34

35. Anesthesia Concerns Proper scavenging system
Check anesthesia machine before each use
Workers are at risk of exposure to waste gases not metabolized by patient.
Proper scavenging system is the single most effective means of reducing exposure to waste anesthetic gases.
Check your anesthesia machine for leaks before each use. 35

36. Anesthesia Machine Checklist
Step 1: Assemble all hoses, canisters, valves, or tubes according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 2: Turn on the oxygen supply to the machine.
Figure shows Step 3: Close the pressure relief (pop-off) valve. 36

37. Anesthesia Machine Checklist
Step 4: Use your thumb or palm to form a tight seal on the Y piece (the part of the hose that attaches to the patient’s endotracheal tube). 37

38. Anesthesia Machine Checklist
Step 5: Turn on the oxygen until bag is slightly over-inflated (or when the pressure on the manometer reaches the 20 mark), then close the valve. 38

39. Anesthesia Machine Checklist
Step 6: Observe the pressure in the system on the manometer and watch close for any decrease.
If your machine is not equipped with a manometer, observe the size of the bag closely.
If the pressure remains constant, the machine is leak-free.
If the pressure drops, there is a leak (or leaks) in the system.
The faster the pressure drops, the larger the leak(s).
If there is a leak, check and tighten all connections, and replace any damaged parts (machine may need to be serviced by qualified technician before use).
When machine is leak-free, reset pressure relief valve to proper position to use the machine normally. 39

40. Further Anesthesia Concerns
Filling the vaporizer
Masking the patient
Delaying extubation
Pregnant personnel
As much as possible, delay extubation and allow patient to recover while still connected to anesthesia machine (oxygen only) and scavenging system.
Monitor recovering anesthesia patients “at arm’s length” to minimize exposure to gases emitted during respiration. 40

41. Working with Compressed Gasses
Storing tanks
Moving tanks
Small compressed-gas
cylinders must be secured
to prevent them from falling
over. 41

42. One-Handed Needle Recapping
Do not attempt to recap the needle after use unless physical danger from sticks or lacerations cannot be avoided by any other means.
When necessary to recap, follow “one-handed” method.
Step 1: Place cap on flat surface, such as countertop or floor.
Step 2: Using only one hand, hold syringe in fingertips with needle pointing away from your body. 42

43. One-Handed Needle Recapping
Step 3: Place fingertips on flat surface so that needle and syringe are parallel to and in line with the cap.
Step 4: Move hand forward until needle is inside cap. 43

44. One-Handed Needle Recapping
Final step: Use other hand to “seat” cap firmly. 44

45. Non-Hazardous Medical Waste
Sharps
Medical devices
Animal blood or tissues
Laboratory cultures
Bandages/sponges
Primate material
Animal waste
Refer to Table 6-1 Typical Medical Waste Definitions (page 137) for definitions as to what constitutes medical waste or normal trash. 45

46. Hazardous Drugs All medicines are chemicals Cytotoxic drugs
Handling drugs
Biological safety cabinet
Handling patient’s body
Handling patient’s wastes
All medicines are chemicals; and chemicals can be dangerous.
A biological safety cabinet (BSC) is required when preparing cytotoxic drugs.
Discuss Case Presentation 6-3 (page 138). 46