Occupational and Farm Animal Zoonosis

Question 1

What is occupational health?

Answer 1

the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations

Question 2

What is an occupational diseasE?

Answer 2

any disease contracted primarily as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from work activity

Question 3

What are hazards in the vet work place?

Answer 3

1. animals
2. Chemical - drugs, waste anaesthetic gas, disinfectants, pesticides
3. Enviro-mechanicla - bites, kicks trips, needle sticks, scalpels, back injury
4. physical - noise pollution, ionising radiation, cold, heat
5. phycological - long working hrs, fatigue

Question 4

What are 2 main important acts of legislation you need to be aware off?

Answer 4

HSWA - Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – covers occupational health and safety

and

RIDDOR - Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

Question 5

Health and safety at work act 1974

Answer 5

It sets out the general duties which:
• employers have towards employees and members of the public
• employees have to themselves and to each other
• certain self-employed have towards themselves and others
• Corporate manslaughter

Question 6

RIDDOR - Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

Answer 6

Puts duties on employers, self employed and people In control of work premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses)
• Deaths and injuries caused by workplace accidents
• Occupational diseases
• Carcinogens, mutagens and biological agents – stored and used appropriately
• Specified injuries to workers – fractures, head or internal organs, burns, loss of consciousness, scalping, loss of sight
• Dangerous occurrences – “near misses”
• Gas incidents
Any deaths, specified injuries, hospital treatment and dangerous occurrences must be reported within 10 days of incident
Accidents resulting in >7 days off work must be reported within 15 days

Question 7

What oversees health and safety?

Answer 7

• Regulating and enforcing health and safety
• Legislation
• Better regulation
• Science, engineering and research
• Statistics
• Field operations

Question 8

What legislation are important wrt notifiable diseases?

Answer 8

Human Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010 and causative organisms. Defines notifiable diseases for people and what public health England power

Animal Health Act 1981 – Report to APHA – defines animals notifiable diseases
Remember not all zoonosis are notifiable in animals and humans

Question 9

UK list notifiable zoonosis in humans and animals in the uK

Answer 9

1. Anthrax
2. Bovine TB
3. Influenza A virus
4. Rabies

Question 10

UK list notifiable zoonosis in humans in the uK

Answer 10

Corynebacterium ulcers (diphtheria)
Hepatitis E (from undercooked pork)
STEC
Salmonellosis

Question 11

UK list notifiable food poisoning in people

Answer 11

Campylobacteriosis
Cryptosporioiosis

Also unknown food pathogen causing food poisoning is notifiable

Question 12

What should you report?

Answer 12

• any accident to employer
• near misses
• report any of the following to: Reporting of injuries, diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

• Deaths and injuries caused by workplace accidents
• Occupational diseases
• Carcinogens, mutagens and biological agents – stored and used appropriately
• Specified injuries to workers – fractures, head or internal organs, burns, loss of consciousness, scalping, loss of sight
• Dangerous occurrences – “near misses”
• Gas incidents
Any deaths, specified injuries, hospital treatment and dangerous occurrences must be reported within 10 days of incident
Accidents resulting in >7 days off work must be reported within 15 days