title: Workplace safety and health for the veterinary health care team.
abstract: Veterinary clinic employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Clinic members are responsible for consistently using safe practices and procedures set up by their employer. Development and implementation of a customized comprehensive workplace safety and health program is emphasized, including an infection control plan. Occupational safety and health regulations are reviewed. The hazards of sharps, animal bites and scratches, and drugs are discussed. Strategies to prevent or minimize adverse health effects and resources for training and education are provided.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS R-10, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. Electronic address: jgibbins@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gibbins
authors.affiliation: Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-14, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: MacMahon
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006762:Hospitals, Animal / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Animal bites; Hazardous drugs; Needlestick injuries; Occupational health; Occupational safety; Regulations