Occupational zoonoses and other hazards

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

Name some example hazards in the veterinary workplace

Answer 3

• Biological i.e. infectious agents
• Chemical: drugs, waste anaesthetic gases, disinfectants, cleaners, pesticides
• Bites, kicks, unsafe work environments, trips, needlesticks, scalpels, back injuries
• Physical: noise pollution, ionizing radiation, cold and heat
• Psychological: long work hours, fatigue, burn out, grief, stress

Question 4

Which law covers occupational health and safety?

Answer 4

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Question 5

Describe the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

Answer 5

Puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences

Question 6

What should be reported in the workplace?

Answer 6

• Deaths and injuries
• Occupational diseases
• Carcinogens
• Specified injuries: fractures, amputations, head or internal organs, burns, loss of consciousness, scalping, loss of sight
• Dangerous occurrences
• Gas incidents

Question 7

Any deaths, specified injuries, hospital treatment & dangerous occurrences must be reported within how long of the incident?

Answer 7

10 days

Question 8

Accidents resulting in >7 days off work must be reported within how long?

Answer 8

15 days

Question 9

What are the 2 major causes of European zoonosis?

Answer 9

Camplyobacteriosis

Salmonellosis

Question 10

What is the most frequent zoonosis affecting vets?

Answer 10

Ringworm

Question 11

What is the most frequent zoonosis affecting vet students?

Answer 11

Cryptosporidiosis

Question 12

What are some other workplace hazards?

Answer 12

• Injuries by animals e.g. dog bites
• Cattle crush
• Mental health

Question 13

How can hazards in the veterinary workplace be prevented and controlled?

Answer 13

• Training
• Understand what you are doing, its risks and explain to others
• Clean PPE
• Personal and general hygiene
• Avoid eating, drinking and smoking around clinical work
• First aid
• Isolate infected animals
• Be aware of immunocompromised people around zoonoses
• NB Pregnant women and lambing, calvings, and abortions

Question 14

Describe the steps in assessing risks

Answer 14

• Identify the hazards
• Decide who might be harmed and how
• Evaluate the risks and decide on the precautions
• Record any significant findings
• Review the assessment and update if necessary

Question 15

Describe how hazards in the workplace should be reported

Answer 15

• To your employer
• Near misses should also be reported
• Take notes; for example, if an injury occurs when you are on a farm
• Walk away from unsafe situations; don’t be a hero
• NB Vet students under your care!