Module 3

Question 1

• Identify components of a hazard assessment for a veterinary practice

Answer 1

• Opportunity to identify and rank severity of hazards
• Helps determine PPE requirements
• Initial step in starting an inspection program

Question 2

• Identify and describe the 3 methods to solve safety problems

Answer 2

• Engineering controls
• Prevent exposure to the hazard or place a barrier between the hazard and worker
• Example: Install an effective waste anesthetic gas scavenging system, installing baffling in the kennel to absorb sound
• Procedural controls
• Develop policies to modify behavior to eliminate/minimize/reduce hazard
• Examples: Require rabies pre-exposure vaccination for workers at risk; creating SOP’s, installing warning signage
• Personal Protective equipment
• PE- Does not eliminate hazard, just provides a barrier from chemicals or infectious pathogens through contact, inhalation, or absorption
• Employers must provide and ensure its proper use
• Training is required on:
• When it is necessary to wear PPE
• What kind of PPE is necessary
• How to properly put on, wear/adjust, and take off PPE
• Limitations on use
• Proper care and maintenance of PPE
• Employees can be disciplined for not wearing PPE

Question 3

• Describe the OSHA training an employee should receive in a veterinary practice and when it should occur

Answer 3

• Employee training must take place before the hazard exposure. Employees must know exposure hazards and how to protect themselves. Document all training with employee’s signature. Employee training is recommended to be done at initial hiring and reviewed yearly.
• Specific standards that require training include:
• General duty clause
• Emergency and fire prevention plans
• Occupational noise exposure
• Radiation
• PPE
• Signs and tags
• Medical service and first aid
• Fire extinguishers
• Ethylene oxide
• Formaldehyde
• Hazard communication (Right to know)

Question 4

• Define PPE and describe the various types

Answer 4

• Gloves
• Reduce risk of pathogen transmission
• Should be worn during all patient care activities that may involve exposure to any body fluid, non intact skin, or infectious pathogens
• Should be worn when personnel have wounds or other compromised skin integrity of the hands
• Should be changed between individual animals or animal groups, or between dirty and clean procedures on a single patient, or whenever torn
• Disposable
• Available in a variety of materials: latex, nitrile, and vinyl
• Choice depends on intended use
• Be aware of latex allergy
• Wearing gloves does not replace good hand hygiene!
• Facial Protection
• Prevents exposure of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth
• Use when splashes or sprays are likely to occur
• Includes:
• Face shields
• Goggles
• Surgical masks
• Respirators (N95 and N99)
• Respirators- designed to prevent inhalation of small air borne contaminants; requires medical evaluation and fit testing; strict requirements
• Surgical masks- designed to protect the patient and do not provide the same level of protection to the wearer as a respirator
• Protective Outerwear
• Limits the transfer of pathogens between the wearer and the patient
• Includes:
• Lab coats, smocks, aprons, coveralls
• Temporary layer of protection from contamination of wearer’s garments
• Change and launder daily or whenever soiled or contaminated

Question 5

• Identify appropriate locations for employees to eat and drink in a veterinary practice

Answer 5

• Eating and drinking should be prohibited in labs, treatment areas, and other patient care and housing areas.
• Separate labeled refrigerators should be used for human food and diagnostic samples or chemicals.
• Processed animal food can be stored in the same refrigerator as staff food.

Question 6

• Describe appropriate dress codes for veterinary employees.

Answer 6

• Wear appropriate shoes that cover the whole foot with non-slip soles
• Excessive jewelry and loose-fitting clothing can present hazards with animal restraint and cage doors.

Question 7

• Describe appropriate sanitation, housekeeping, and maintenance within the veterinary facility

Answer 7

• Excessive clutter and dirty work areas contribute to severity and frequency of accidents.
• Clean and return equipment to the proper storage place after use.
• Remove trash from areas daily
• Clean pet accidents or spills as soon as they are noticed
• Organize drawers, cabinets, and counters so that items can be found easily
• Don’t overload shelves or cabinets
• Never store materials on stairways or where they may block emergency exits
• Use an appropriate ladder to reach high locations

Question 7

• Identify the 5 basic types of waste generated in a veterinary hospital

Answer 7

• Animal waste, general waste, sharps, chemical waste, hazardous waste
• Animal:
• Feces, urine, vomitus, blood
• Disposed of in the sanitary sewer or septic system
• General/solid waste
• Syringes, IV tubing, gowns, gloves
• Animal tissues
• Ovaries, testicles, biopsy specimens can go in regular trash, unless when containing disease transmissible to humans

Question 8

• Describe the proper handling and disposal of animal and general/solid waste

Answer 8

• General solid waste is disposed of in a sanitary sewer, septic system or landfill.
• Animal waste: Disposed of in the sanitary sewer or septic system