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Does OSHA have any regulations covering animal bites and scratches?

We can't forget that the overriding purpose of a veterinary practice is the care and treatment of patients. Sometimes, handling our patients can be a hazard, but this one just cannot be eliminated! Anyone who has worked with animals under stress or pain will relate personal accounts of injuries from patients. In fact, insurance statistics reveal that animal connected accidents are the most common injury of workers in veterinary related fields. With this in mind, certain safety rules must be followed when attempting to capture, restrain, treat, feed or exercise animals. 

Although OSHA does not have a specific standard detailing procedures for animal handling, they do have the General Duty Clause. This is a part of the Occupational Safety & Health Act that requires employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for employees. This is most often used to force a business to correct a known safety problem where there is not a specific regulation. Although there has never been a veterinary practice cited for this violation, it is very possible and will likely happen as attention on the profession increases. 

But perhaps the best reason for taking the time to address this issue is the staff is simple concern for people. It’s hard to believe there would be a single practice that wants to intentionally harm their staff. It’s not only immoral but it’s just not good business. When a staff member is ill or injured, the entire team works harder and is less productive. Not to mention the direct expenses to the practice. 

Of course, it’s no fun for the injured person either. Animal bites and injuries can be very painful and severely disfiguring. Zoonotic diseases are sometimes just uncomfortable but sometimes can be life-threatening. 

It’s for all these reasons we must take the time to make sure our staff understands the safety measures that must be taken to ensure everyone is protected while getting the job done. Sometimes it’s the most simple acts that get us into trouble and in the veterinary profession, there’s no simpler act than restraint and treatment of a patient. 

First of all, remember that policies, procedures and protective equipment are not substitutes for proper training. Every staff member must be trained to properly restrain and capture any species of animals they are expected to handle. 

Training or evaluation of workers should occur as early in employment as possible. Evidence of a worker's training by means of accredited programs or work experience are a start, but do not replace the veterinarian's responsibility for safety training at their hospital. Hospital-specific programs are common, but are time consuming to develop and repeat every time a new worker is hired. Professional associations have developed many useful training aids for veterinary assistants. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has training videos and workbooks that make training new workers easier. A complete list of AAHA publications can be obtained by calling the Member Service Center at 1-800- 252-2242. Membership in AAHA is not required to purchase these aids. 

In addition to this training, the practice must furnish appropriate capture and restraint equipment; sometimes, that's just a piece of rope to hobble a leg or a piece of gauze for a hasty muzzle but sometimes it means squeeze chutes or catch poles. It is now an OSHA requirement to conduct a hazard assessment of each workplace, worksite or job to determine the exact protective equipment that must be used (visit our web site for more information on conducting this assessment). Each staff member must be instructed on how to use the equipment and in what situations it is applicable. And don't forget the most basic of protective equipment: exam gloves and masks for handling a stray, wild or unvaccinated animal. 

Finally, make sure the practice has written guidelines on animal handling activities. It should be clear to each staff member that they are never expected to place themselves in unnecessary danger when capturing or restraining animals. Make sure there is a way for a staff member who gets in trouble (like being trapped in a run with an aggressive dog) to immediately summon assistance.

The information on these pages is excerpted from
The Veterinary Safety & Health Digest,
Copyright 2000 Philip J. Seibert, Jr., CVT  All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced for distribution without prior permission from the publisher.