Name:__________________________________________________________________
Delta Agricultural Education
Veterinary Assisting
Safety and Sanitation
Concept: People who work with animals are faced with potentially hazardous situations on a daily
basis. This fact is especially true for veterinarians, vet techs, and other members of the veterinary team.
Not only do these people work with animals that may be dangerous, they also work with hazardous
chemicals, animal wastes, and x-rays. As a result everyone working in a veterinary hospital should be
aware of all safety hazards and the proper ways in which to protect themselves and promote a safe
working environment.
Objectives:
A. Use appropriate infection control practices;
B. Demonstrate infection control practices, such as handwashing, gowning, gloving, and masking;
C. Explain steps that need to be taken to avoid cross-contamination between animals;
D. Follow safe practices at all times to avoid injury to themselves or others;
E. Demonstrate appropriate handling and disposal of biohazardous waste; and
F. Demonstrate appropriate use and disposal of needles and other sharps.
References:
1. Your instructor.
2. DeltaFFA.com
Student Activities:
Points Available
Safety and Sanitation Packet
Zoonotic Disease Research
Analyzing the MSDS
Safety and Sanitation Video
Veterinary Safety and Sanitation Situations
Safety and Sanitation Lab
Sanitation Clinical
Safety and Sanitation Test
Total Points Possible
Points Earned
Due
50
25
25
25
25
50
50
50
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300
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Veterinary Safety & Sanitation Vocabulary
Directions: Know and understand the following vocabulary
Antiseptics – solutions that destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth on living tissue
Aseptic – being free of infection or contamination by microorganisms
Biohazard – medical waste that could cause infection; needles, scalpel blades, blood, body parts
Carcinogenic – cancer causing
-cide, - cidal – suffixes meaning to kill
Disinfect – to cleanse of harmful organisms
Dosimeter – a badge that records exposure to radiation that is worn when taking x-rays
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
FDA – Food and Drug Administration
Incubation period – the period of time between infection and the appearance of clinical signs
Isolation – the process of keeping an animal by itself to prevent the spread of disease; quarantine
MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Parasite – an organism that grows, feeds, and lives on or in another organism while contributing
nothing to the survival of the host organism
Pathogen – any microorganism that causes disease
Quarantine – the process of keeping an animal by itself to prevent the spread of disease; isolation
Sanitation – applying practices that make something more acceptable by cleaning it
Sharps – biohazard materials such as needles, scalpel blades and syringes
Sterilization – the process of killing and removing all microorganisms
Virus – a pathogen consisting of a single nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat and having the
ability to replicate only within a living cell
Zoonosis – any disease that can be passed from animal to human
Analyzing the MSDS
MSDS #1
1. What is the name of the
product?
2. What does PEL stand for?
3. Describe the appearance and
odor of this product.
4. What steps should be taken if
the product is spilled?
5. What are the hazardous
chemicals that make up this
product?
6. Describe the first aid procedure
to be followed if the product
comes in contact with your eyes.
7. If the project catches on fire,
how should it be extinguished?
8. What is the correct way to store
this product?
9. What types of protective gear
should be used in handling this
product?
10. If an emergency occurred with
product how could you get
information to help you?
MSDS #2
Physical Hazards
Chemical Hazards
Biological Hazards
Zoonotic Hazards
Safety Signs and Equipment
Drug Schedules
Schedule I:
Heroin, Methaqualone, LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, Marijuana, Hashish, Hash Oil, amphetamine variants.
Schedule II:
Dilaudid, Demerol, Methadone, Cocaine, PCP, Morphine, and cannabis, amphetamine and barbiturate types.
Schedule III:
Opium, Vicodan, Tylenol w/codine, and narcotic, amphetamine and barbiturate types.
Schedule IV:
Darvocet, Xanax, Valium, Halcyon, Ambien, Ativan, barbiturate types.
Schedule V:
Lomotil, Phenergan, liquid suspensions.
Types of Sanitation
Cleaning -
Sterilizing -
Disinfecting -
Antiseptics -
Commonly Used Chemicals
Alcohols -
Iodine and Iodophors -
Aledyhydes -
Quaternary ammonias -
Chlorine -
Methods of Sanitation
Physical –
Filtration -
Cold sterilization –
Ultrasound -
Dry heat –
Autoclave -
Radiation –
Zoonotic Diseases Research
Directions: Veterinary staff and all people who come into contact with animals have opportunity to be
exposed to zoonotic diseases. Choose a zoonotic disease that is listed below, or one that you find on
your own and answer the following questions.
Rabies
Cat Scratch Fever
Giardia
Hantavirus
1. Disease Category: virus ____ bacteria ____ fungi ____ parasite ____
2. Common name:
3. Scientific name:
4. What species of animal(s) carry the disease?
5. How do the animals get this disease?
6. How is the disease transmitted to humans?
7. What are the signs and symptoms for both animals and humans?
Animals:
Humans:
8. How will it harm humans if it is not treated?
9. What is the treatment for animals and humans?
Animals:
Humans:
10. List at least 3 specific ways that this disease can be prevented in animals and humans.
Prevention in animals:
a.
b.
c.
Prevention in humans:
a.
b.
c.
11. Where did you find your information?
a. List at least three websites and any other publications used.
Veterinary Safety & Sanitation Situations
Directions: Every day veterinary staff are faced with situations that could be safety hazards or cause
pathogens to spread throughout the hospital. Read the following situations and determine the best way
to handle each situation.
1. You are asked to mop the surgery room floor after all the surgeries have been done. When you
go to do this, you are unable to find the surgery room mop. You know there is a mop for the
kennel area. Should you use this mop? Why or why not?
2. As Carrie is cleaning the surgery room, she notices a pack of sterilized instruments has been
opened, but not used. What should Carrie do with the pack?
3. A dog suspected to have Leptospirosis is brought into the hospital. What precautions should be
taken to ensure that this dog does not infect other dogs or humans?
4. Jim is cleaning one of the exam rooms and finds several used vaccine syringes. What types of
hazard do these represent and how should Jim dispose of them?
5. You are going to assist the vet while she takes x-rays on a parrot. How should you prepare
yourself?
6. A new kennel worker starts today and it is your job to talk to him about safety. How would you
explain an MSDS?
7. A technician carrying a large bag of dog food slips on a wet floor and hurts his back. How could
this injury have been prevented?
8. A cat bites your hand while you’re taking it out of its cage. What disease could you get and how
could you prevent it?
9. The vet wants you to clean and sterilize a set of surgical instruments. What are your options?
10. Every Friday Jane uses a special disinfectant to clean the exam rooms. She used the last bottle
last Friday and the order for a new bottle has not arrived. The only cleaner she can find says “For
Use in Outdoor Kennels Only”. Should Jane use the cleaner? Why or why not?
Safety & Sanitation Video
Safety in the Reception Area
Safety in the Exam Room
Safety in the Treatment Area
Safety in the Laboratory
Safety in the Kennel
Safety in the Surgery Suite
Storage Areas Safety
Chemical Safety