SafetyVet
Solutions for the veterinary professions!
SafetyVet
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Although some workplace
slips, trips and falls are not serious accidents, statistics show that nonfatal slips,
trips and falls account for approximately 20% of all injuries involving lost workdays. In
fact, According to the National Safety Council’s Accident Facts (1995 edition
is the most recent for which data is conclusive) slips, trips and falls rank as the fourth
leading cause of fatal injuries to American Workers! For the veterinary profession, the
numbers are even higher; according to insurance statistics, the only activity that results
in more harm to veterinary workers is animal handling because of the resulting bites and
scratches.
The goal of any practice should be to reduce or minimize the likelihood that an accident will occur by eliminating or controlling the scenarios that most often cause the accident. Of course, the real payback to the practice comes in the form of lower accident rates. And we must not forget that OSHA has specific rules that apply to walking and working surfaces and even stairs.
For starters, make sure your practice dress code promotes safety. Staff members should always wear shoes with slip-resistant soles. In large animal practices or when the staff member must work outside, it’s best to wear boots or shoes that support the ankle - especially if there’s any lifting or carrying to be done. Extremely loose or baggy pants and clothing should be avoided since it can catch on objects and make the person loose their balance.
Clean up "pet accidents" and material spills as soon as they are noticed. In wet areas or when cleaning up "pet accidents," use a free-standing warning sign to alert people that the floor is wet. In areas where the floor gets wet repeatedly, like in the bathing area, use rubberized anti-slip mats in the walking and working areas.
Take a look around the practice for situations that are likely to cause a problem - then fix them. As a general rule of thumb, you should attempt to remove the hazard first. If the hazard can’t be removed or corrected, then obvious warning signs should be posted to alert people to the danger.
Remove any objects protruding into or across hallways or walkways. Hoses, electrical cords, the edges of desks or furniture, equipment handles or feet are all things that can trip someone. Since most people are looking to the front and not at their feet when they walk, it’s easy to trip over low objects even when we know they are there!
Of course,
uneven surfaces present a problem. If there is an abrupt change of elevation (step down or
step up) or an object in the walkway (e.g., a floor drain that is not completely flush)
then you should post a notice sign at eye level as you approach the unexpected hazard.
Signs should be placed so that a person coming from any direction is forewarned.
Platform scales like the type used in many small animal practices are also a tripping hazard unless they are "protected" on the sides that extend into the walking area. If the scale is positioned in a hallway, make sure there is at least 30 inches of clearance for the walkway around the scale. If this can’t be achieved, it’s best to find a new location. As a last resort, using temporary markers on the sides of the scale or placing potted plants or similar "visual enhancements" near it will help call attention to this low hazard.
Door thresholds and where different floor materials meet are prime places for tripping. Loose floor tiles, carpeting or tack strips should be repaired immediately. Provide area rugs in front of entrance doors during wet weather to minimize the amount of rain or snow tracked into the hospital. Make sure all rugs have anti-slip, rubberized backs to prevent them from moving when stepped on.
Look for situations where the walking area is cluttered with material or is used for storage. Hallways and stairs are not appropriate places to store materials, even temporarily. In addition to increasing the likelihood of tripping or falling, storing materials in hallways and on stairs will often block or impede access to emergency exits or egress routes. Not only is this an OSHA violation, in many communities, the local fire marshal will cite a business for blocking access to emergency exits.
Examine the office equipment for damaged or defective pieces. Check the casters, legs and backs on chairs to make sure they secure and substantial enough to support a person’s weight. "Wobbly" or unstable chairs or stools should be repaired or discarded immediately.
Make sure you have appropriate ladders available for reaching the top shelves of cabinets or storage areas. Ladders should be sturdy and in good repair. They should be tall enough so that a person can reach the desired height without standing on the top two steps of the ladder. Standing above the second step on a ladder will drastically alter the center of balance and significantly increase the chances it will tip over and fall. Of course, NEVER climb into or on shelves as a substitute for a ladder and never use chairs or stools either!
Check the
kennel, barn or stall area for the presence of open troughs or gutters. Many hospitals
were built with open troughs to make cleaning easier. Unfortunately, OSHA standards do not
allow open troughs in walking areas unless there is proper guarding (like railings.) Since
railings and other guards are usually impractical in the veterinary hospital, the next
best thing is to install removable covers on the gutters. When the staff is actively
cleaning the kennels or stalls, the covers can be removed; when they are finished, the
covers can be replaced. Of course, if the trough is behind the run or enclosure and not in
the walking area, then no additional protection is necessary.
Get help lifting large animals or use steps and ramps for getting large dogs into or out of bathing tubs and tables. It is during these times when a person is most "unstable" and prone to losing their balance. Not to mention the back injury risk! (See the article on page 6 for more information on back injuries.)
It may seem like a waste of resources to dedicate valuable staff time to this kind of training, but given the easy prevention steps that can be taken, it really is worth the effort. By reminding staff members of the basic rules of gravity - what is up will come down - we can minimize the cost and inconvenience to the practice and the discomfort to the staff member from these preventable situations!
The information on these pages is excerpted from
The Complete Veterinary Practice Regulatory Compliance Manual (5th Edition) by Philip J. Seibert, Jr., CVT,
Copyright 2003 Philip J. Seibert, Jr., CVT All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced for distribution without prior permission
from the publisher.
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