Select Occupational Hazards in Veterinary Medicine and Minimization Strategies

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among workers in veterinary settings. Soft-tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders result from sudden or sustained exposure to force, vibration, repetitive motion, or awkward posture. They can result in physical pain and job restrictions as well as economic hardship for both employees and practice owners. An evaluation of ergonomics should be part of the workplace-specific hazard assessment by the employer.

For more information, see:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Veterinary Ergonomic Guidelines

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Ergonomics

• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA): An Ergonomics Approach to Avoiding Office Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of occupational injuries in veterinary settings. Wet floors, spills, weather hazards, uneven walking surfaces, and cluttered floors are hazards that affect everyone in the workplace, including management, veterinary staff, and clients. Employees and employers should be trained to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions.

For more information, see:

• US National Safety Council (NSC): Make Fall Safety a Top Priority

• OSHA Hospitals eTool: Hospital-wide Hazards: Slips/Trips/Falls

Transportation-related workplace fatalities are the number one cause of workplace deaths in the US.1 Veterinarians and staff who operate mobile clinics and make calls at homes, farms, and ranches may be at increased risk because of poor road conditions, fatigue, and the number of miles driven annually. Employers should ensure that staff members have valid state licenses for the types of vehicles they are driving and that all parts of the vehicles, including seat belts, lights, signals, wipers, tires, brakes, and a backup alarm if needed, are in safe working order.

For more information, see:

• NSC: Safer Roads, Safer Employees

• OSHA: Motor Vehicle Safety

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): Motor Vehicle Safety at Work

Sources of noise in veterinary settings that may be above recommended levels include barking dogs in kennels and animal shelters, loud equipment such as cage dryers or clippers used by groomers, and working with swine and around farm equipment. Noisy areas should be evaluated to determine whether employees are exposed to hazardous levels of noise as defined by regulatory agencies like OSHA. Excessive noise has also been shown to cause stress in animals. If engineering controls cannot decrease noise to appropriate levels, employees should be enrolled in a hearing conservation program.

For more information, see:

• OSHA: Occupational Noise Exposure

• NIOSH: Noise & Hearing Loss Prevention

Written protocols for radiation safety are a critical component of a comprehensive safety and health program for staff in veterinary settings. Radiation areas should be clearly identified with signage, and all equipment should be regularly maintained. Pregnant women should not be directly involved with taking radiographic images. Risks can be decreased by minimizing the duration and amount of exposure, maximizing the distance from the radiation source (eg, by using nonmanual restraints), and using protective barriers and protective garments. All staff involved in taking radiographic images should be monitored for radiation exposure using personal dosimetry. In the US, radiation safety is regulated by OSHA and some states.

Additional training on the safe operation, PPE, and management of radioactive isotopes and therapeutics may be needed in veterinary facilities that offer magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation and radioisotope treatment. Regulatory agencies typically have stringent training and documentation and reporting requirements and should be consulted if these procedures are offered.

For more information, see:

• OSHA: Ionizing Radiation

• NIOSH: Radiation—Ionizing—Reproductive Health

Lasers are used in veterinary medicine to manage patient pain and inflammation and to promote healing. Lasers can also be used to cut and cauterize tissues during surgery. Potential hazards to both workers and patients include thermal skin damage and retinal damage if the lasers are used improperly and personal protective equipment (PPE) is not worn. Standards established by OSHA, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and others contain guidelines for the safe use of lasers in veterinary practice and research. Employers should provide training in the equipment being used and provide controls, including appropriate PPE, to minimize exposures.

For more information, see:

• OSHA: Laser Hazards

• OSHA: Laser/Electrosurgery Plume

• OSHA: Laser Institute of America (LIA) resources

• AVMA PLIT: Veterinary Safety Manual

Needlestick injuries (also called sharps injuries) may result in lacerations or other traumatic wounds. Chemical and biological materials may be introduced through needlestick injuries. Veterinary staff should be trained in the proper use and disposal of needles and in what to do if an exposure occurs. Approved sharps containers should be clearly labeled and used for disposal. Needles should not be recapped before disposal. The AVMA recommends voluntary compliance with OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard.

For more information, see:

• NASPHV: Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel

• CDC: Sharps Safety for Healthcare Settings

• OSHA: Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention

• OSHA: Application of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to Veterinary Clinics

Evaluating and improving mental health and well-being is essential for all personnel in veterinary settings. Psychological stressors for veterinarians and staff include high student debt, performing and assisting with euthanasia, compassion fatigue, long work hours, and sleep deprivation. Managing a healthy work-life balance is challenging with jobs that include long work hours and emergency duty/on-call. The stressors and hazards of operating a business—including dealing with difficult personnel and clients, workplace violence such as assault and robbery, and cyberbullying—also impact mental health and well-being. See the AVMA's article Self-care for Veterinarians.

Veterinarians have a higher suicide risk compared with the general population. Suicide prevention activities should be aimed at both veterinarians and veterinary staff. See the CDC's NIOSH Science Blog post Suicide Risk for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.

Resources to help manage stress and improve well-being are available at:

• The Columbia Protocol for Healthcare and Other Community Settings

• AVMA: Stress Management for Veterinarians

• AVMA: Setting Up a Workplace Wellbeing Program

• AVMA: Your Wellbeing

• American Animal Hospital Association: AAHA's Culture Initiative