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 veterina
