1. Occupational Health and Safety in Veterinary Hospitals

2. What is OSHA? OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Enforces federal laws to ensure safe workplace for American workers

3. Employee 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.

4. Employee Safety Rights
Medical evaluations, radiation exposure reports, and previous workplace accident/injury reports must be made available to employee for review.

5. Employee 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

6. OSHA Literature

7. Employer 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

8. Employer 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

9. General Workplace Hazards
Every practice should have a written Hospital Safety Manual.

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

11. 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

13. 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.

14. Put 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.

15. Beware 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.

16. Machinery 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

17. 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.

18. Fire and Evacuation Store flammable liquids properly
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

19. Fire 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

20. Fire 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.

21. Do 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!

22. Hazardous 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

26. 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.