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The E-Digest OSHA Compliance & Practice Safety Newsletter - Issue 26 – April 2007

Brought to you by SafetyVet.com!

In this issue:

* OSHA Releases New "It's The Law" Poster
* OSHA Inspections of Veterinary Practices
* Other Business’ Employees
* OSHA Compliance Course Starting
 

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 Welcome to this issue of The E-Digest OSHA Compliance & Practice Safety Newsletter! We've added this service to our web site and it's FREE, so pass the word. The E-Digest covers a whole range of safety and OSHA compliance topics in each issue so there's something for everyone! The articles are all specific to the veterinary profession. Every couple of months you'll receive a new issue of The E-Digest Newsletter packed full of useful information and links to resources on the web that are selected specifically to enhance your hospital's safety operations!

 And as always, if we can be of further assistance, don't hesitate to call on us.
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OSHA Releases New "It's The Law" Poster

OSHA recently announced publication of its new "It's The Law" poster. The free poster, also known as the OSHA notice of employee rights, is required to be displayed in every workplace in America. Employers are not required to replace their existing poster with the new version. The poster informs employers and employees of their rights and responsibilities for a safe and healthful workplace. Copies are available in both English and Spanish from OSHA's Web site. Free printed copies may be obtained from any OSHA regional or area office, or from OSHA’s on-line ordering page. 

English Poster: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3165.pdf

Spanish Poster:  http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3167.pdf

On-line Publications Ordering Page:  http://osha.gov/pls/publications/pubindex.list 

Editor’s Note:  Businesses are NOT required to replace the existing poster with the new one, so if you receive a solicitation in the mail implying your poster is “out of date,” remember, you DO NOT have to buy a new “all in one” poster!

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OSHA Inspections of Veterinary Practices

 One of the biggest concerns of a business owner is the chance that his or her business will be inspected at a time when they can not be present. It’s not that they want to conceal information or deny access to certain areas, it’s merely a sense of maintaining control over one’s fate and having proper representation. Under the Occupational Safety & Health Act, business owners (employers) have the right to be present or designate a representative to act on his or her behalf during any investigation or inspection.  The reality is that most OSHA investigations of veterinary practices do not include an on-site inspection.  However,  a component of each practice’s Hospital Safety Manual should be a policy reflecting the owner’s rights and the staff’s authority during an inspection. This written statement is vital if the owner DOES NOT WAIVE his or her right to be present during an inspection! Although this written policy would not be useful as an unreasonably long delay tactic, it would normally be enough to postpone an inspection until the staff could contact the owner.

Here’s a discussion of the issue on our web site:  http://www.safetyvet.com/osha/oshainsp.htm

Following an inspection by OSHA, an employer has specific rights and responsibilities. OSHA recently revised Pamphlet 3000 which provides detailed information on what is expected of both the employer and OSHA after an inspection. The booklet covers such topics as types of violations, how an employer can contest citations, follow-up inspections, and posting requirements. The publication also includes information about programs available to employers to help develop effective safety and health programs.  This pamphlet is available in printed form from the OSHA Publications office, or on line in Adobe PDF format at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3000.pdf

OSHA’s inspection program is outlined on this page:  http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-inspections.pdf

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Other Business’ Employees

 “We lease space in our practice to a veterinary specialist.  Are we responsible for his employees' safety?”  The simple answer is: probably.

 When a hospital has employees from more than a single practice on-site, each practice (or entity) must ensure that information regarding the hazards that are present in the hospital and information on measures staff members must take to protect themselves is made available to the other practices in the hospital. This means that each separate business within the hospital must provide the others with a copy of applicable MSDSs, or make them available at a central location.

 To read more about OSHA’s Multi-Employer Workplace rules, check out these pages:

http://www.safetyvet.com/osha/multiempl.htm

 http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=2024

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OSHA Compliance Course Starting

Do you want to learn about the real hazards of a veterinary practice and what OSHA has to say about them? Then sign up for my upcoming Hospital Safety & OSHA Compliance Course on VIN/VSPN.

Registration is open now and the course starts on April 16, 2006!

This course is designed for the Safety Director, practice owner or administrator who desires to understand OSHA's Standards and the most practical ways to implement them in a veterinary practice. We attempt to avoid debating the merits of “government oversight” and focus on how to achieve compliance! This course will cover ALL aspects of a hospital safety program, not just the Hazard Communication Standard.  My newest regulatory manual (5^th Edition) is the textbook for the course and is included in the registration fee!

For course information and registration, visit:  http://www.vin.com/ce/PRAC100-0407_VSPN.htm

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Have Fun & Be Safe :-)

Philip Seibert, CVT
SafetyVet