OSHA and the Equine Practitioner (AAEP 2012)

Safety in the workplace is as important in veterinary medicine as anywhere else.
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Safety in the workplace is as important in veterinary medicine as anywhere else, and it helps veterinarians and support staff to provide the very best care. Grant Miller, DVM, director of Regulatory Affairs for the California Veterinary Medical Association, spoke at the 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Anaheim, Calif. He focused on protocols for veterinarian compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

Miller stressed that OSHA regulations are in place specifically to protect employees. The practice owner(s) is (are) responsible for having established plans for injury, illness, emergency action, and fire prevention and for ensuring a program for hazard communication exists.

One important OSHA protocol pertaining to injury or illness described by Miller is the Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP), which accounts for ambient temperatures greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit–employees must have appropriate opportunities for rest breaks in the shade and available cool water. Management counsels employees on how to recognize the stages of heat illness–heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and, finally, heat stroke–and how to render first aid.

As explained by Miller, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) includes escape procedures, provisions for knowing where employees are at all times, assignments for rescue and medical duties, as well as lists of other sources to contact for additional information. Specific staff training in EAP recommendations helps practice owners ensure efficient handling of an emergency situation

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Written by:

Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. She has also authored the books Go the Distance as a resource for endurance horse owners, Conformation and Performance, and First Aid for Horse and Rider in addition to many veterinary articles for both horse owner and professional audiences.

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