Why OSHA Safety Matters In the Veterinary Industry

OSHA mandates that all employers provide a workplace free of recognized hazards. For veterinary practices, this means developing comprehensive safety plans, training staff regularly, and maintaining proper documentation. Noncompliance can result in fines, legal liabilities, workplace injuries, and reputational damage.

Common OSHA Safety Hazards in Veterinary Practices

Veterinary professionals are exposed to a range of risks that must be proactively managed:

• Animal-related injuries:
  • Bites, scratches, and kicks from frightened or aggressive animals are among the most common causes of workplace injury.
• Chemical hazards:
  • Anesthetic gases, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals (including cytotoxic drugs) can pose respiratory and skin hazards.
• Sharps injuries:
  • Needles, Scalpels, and other sharp instruments present risks of puncture wounds and infections.
• Zoonotic diseases:
  • Staff are at risk of contracting diseases that are transmittable between animals and humans, such as rabies, ringworm, or leptospirosis.
• Ergonomic strains:
  • Repetitive lifting of animals and equipment can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.

These risks make proper safety procedures a must, not a maybe.

Key OSHA Safety Standards That Apply to Veterinary Clinics

• Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200):
  • Staff must be trained on the chemicals they use, and all hazardous substances must be properly labeled and documented with Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030):
  • This standard primarily applies to human-to-human exposure, but it can also cover veterinary practices when employees are exposed to human blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM).  Examples can include treating staff injuries and the animal’s blood is known to be infected with HIV or HBV. A veterinary Exposure Control Plan should address zoonotic diseases. An Exposure Control Plan and annual training are required.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I):
  • Clinics must provide appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, and lab coats, and ensure staff are trained in their proper use.
• Injury and Illness Recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904):
  • Veterinary clinics with more than 10 employees are typically required to log and report work-related injuries and illnesses.
• General Duty Clause:
  • This is not considered a standard, but rather a provision. Even if a hazard isn’t specifically addressed by OSHA standards, employers are required to provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards.

Best Practices for OSHA Compliance in Veterinary Clinics

• Develop a Written Safety Plan:
  • Include policies for hazard communication, injury prevention, emergency response, and zoonotic disease control.
• Conduct Routine Training:
  • Staff should receive initial and annual refresher training on topics like PPE use, sharps safety, and proper animal handling.
• Use Engineering Controls:
  • Invest in safety devices like needleless systems and animal restraint tools to minimize exposure risks.
• Implement a Reporting Culture:
  • Encourage staff to report hazards or injuries without fear of retaliation.
• Perform Regular Audits:
  • Routine internal inspections help identify and correct hazards before an OSHA inspector does.

A Safer Practice Is a Better Practice

Veterinary professionals are passionate about animal care, but their own health and safety must also be a priority. By implementing OSHA-compliant policies and fostering a culture of safety, veterinary clinics can protect their teams, improve workplace morale, and avoid costly regulatory penalties. Prioritizing OSHA safety is not only a legal obligation—it’s a critical part of sustaining a healthy, thriving practice.

Need help developing an OSHA compliance plan for your veterinary practice? Medsafe can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or safety audit.

Additional Resources:

OSHA

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 Animal-related asthma and allergies are exaggerated reactions of the body’s immune system to animal proteins. The body responds with symptoms such as nasal, eye, and throat irritation, and/or skin hives, and can sometimes progress to additional asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficult breathing.

 The risk can be controlled if certain methods are used to reduce exposure. In the work environment, animal handlers can take the following steps:

• Perform animal manipulations within ventilated hoods or safety cabinets if possible.
• Avoid wearing street clothes while working with animals.
• Leave work clothes at the workplace to avoid potential exposure problems for family members.
• Keep cages and animal areas clean.
• Reduce skin contact with animal products such as dander, serum, and urine by using gloves, lab coats, and approved particulate respirators with face shields.

 There are also some simple steps employers can take to reduce risk:

• Increase the ventilation rate and humidity in the animal-housing areas;
• Direct airflow away from workers and toward the backs of the animal cages;
• Decrease animal density (number of animals per cubic meter of room volume);
• Keep cages and animal areas clean;
• Use absorbent pads for bedding. If these are not available, use corncob bedding instead of sawdust bedding;
• Provide protective equipment for animal handlers such as gloves, lab coats, and approved particulate respirators with face shields;
• Provide training to educate workers about animal allergies and steps for risk reduction.

 Has asthma been a concern for anyone in your organization?  Was there anything done to improve working conditions?

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