VETERINARY SAFETY AND HEALTH

NIOSH Publications and Other Resources

NIOSH Publications

NIOSH Workplace Solution: Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs for Veterinary Health Care Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-150 (2010)
En Español

An Overview of Safety and Health for Workers in the Horse-Racing Industry
NIOSH Publication No. 2009-128 (April 2009)
En Español

NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers Who Work with Hazardous Drugs
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-106 (2008)

NIOSH Exposure to Stress: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-136 (July 2008)

NIOSH Waste Anesthetic Gases: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-151 (September 2007)
En Español

NIOSH Workplace Solutions: Preventing Worker Deaths and Injuries When Handling Micotil 300®
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-124 (2007)

NIOSH Alert: Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-165 (2004)

NIOSH Glutaraldehyde: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-115 (May 2001)
En Español

NIOSH The Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-104 (February 1999)
En Español

NIOSH Hazard ID 5 - Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (B Virus) Infection Resulting from Ocular Exposure
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-100 (1999)

NIOSH Latex Allergy: A Prevention Guide
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 1998-113 (1998)

NIOSH Alert: Preventing Asthma in Animal Handlers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 1997-116 (1998)

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations

Air quality

HHE report: HETA-96-0052-2583, National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado [PDF - 546 KB]

Chemical exposures

Carbon Monoxide

HHE report: HETA 2004-0123-2939, City of Liberal Animal Shelter, Liberal, Kansas [PDF - 1 MB]

Chloramines

HHE report: HETA-2006-0153-3022, Sara Lee Foods, Storm Lake, Iowa [PDF - 874 KB]

HHE report: HETA-2004-0337-3051, US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Natchitoches, Louisiana [PDF - 1 MB]

HHE report: HETA-2002-0257-2916, Bil-Mar Foods, Inc., Storm Lake, Iowa [PDF - 405 KB]

Hazardous Drugs

HHE report: HETA 2010-0068-3156, Chemotherapy Drug Evaluation at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Michigan

Peracetic acid

HHE report: HETA-2006-0298-3090, Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York [PDF - 3.7 MB]

Pesticides

HHE report: HETA-2002-0203-3050, The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Laredo, Texas [PDF - 1 MB]

HHE report: HETA-1983-0373-1501, Brown's Bridge Animal Hospital, Gainesville, Georgia [PDF - 226 KB]

Noise exposures

Health hazard evaluation (HHE) report: HETA-2007-0068-3042, Noise exposures and hearing loss assessments among animal shelter workers, Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Algiers, Louisiana [PDF - 931 KB]

HHE report: HETA-2006-0222-3037, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Cincinnati, Ohio [PDF - 846 KB]

HHE report: HETA-2006-0212-3035, Kenton County Animal Shelter, Covington, Kentucky [PDF - 870 KB]

HHE report: HETA-2006-0196-3036, Liberty Veterinary Hospital, Liberty Township, Ohio [PDF - 871 KB]

HHE report: HETA-2004-0046-2950, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa [PDF - 1.2 MB]

Zoonoses

HHE report, HETA 2011-0058-3157, Campylobacter Infection and Exposures Among Employees at a Poultry Processing Plant – Virginia

HHE report: HETA 2001-0273; 2001-0274; 2001-0275; 2001-0407-3091, Care of non-human primates, New Iberia, Louisiana; San Antonio, Texas; Davis, California; Covington, Louisiana [PDF - 3.9 MB]

HHE report, HETA-98-0339-2806, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Riverdale, Maryland [PDF - 227 KB]

HHE report: HETA 98-0061-2687, Yerkes Primate Research Center, Lawrenceville, Georgia [PDF - 209 KB]

Additional HHEs

HHE report: HETA-92-080-2284, Moreno Valley Animal Control, Moreno Valley, California [PDF - 151 KB]

HHE report: HETA-91-287-2228, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg Laboratory, Reynoldsburg, Ohio [PDF - 436 KB]

NIOSH Other Related Topics

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Safety
• Dentistry
• Hazards to Outdoor Workers
• Healthcare Workers
• Safety and Health in the Horse Racing Industry

Other Resources

Selected Publications

Arif AA, Delclos GL [2012]. Association between cleaning-related chemicals and work-related asthma and asthma symptoms among healthcare professionals. Occup Environ Med 69(1):35-40.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21602538

Asano K, Suzuki K, Nakamura Y, Asano R, Sakai T [2003]. Risk of acquiring zoonoses by the staff of companion-animal hospitals. Kansenshogaku Zasshi 77(11):944-947.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14672006

Burstiner LC, Faires M, Weese JS [2010]. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in personnel attending a veterinary surgery conference. Vet Surg 39(2):150-157.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20210961

Castrodale L, Bellay YM, Brown CM, Cantor FL, Gibbins JD, Headrick ML, Leslie MJ, MacMahon K, O’Quin JM, Patronek GJ, Silva RA, Wright JC, Yu DT [2010]. General public health considerations for responding to animal hoarding cases. J Environ Health 72(7):14-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20235404

Cohen JI, Davenport DS, Stewart JA, Deitchman S, Hilliard JK, Chapman LE [2002]. Recommendations for prevention of and therapy for exposure to B virus (cercopithecine herpesvirus 1). Clin Infect Dis 35(10):1191-1203.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12410479

D'Souza E, Barraclough R, Fishwick D, Curran A [2009]. Management of occupational health risks in small-animal veterinary practices. Occup Med (Lond) 59(5):316-322.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18974072

Drobatz KJ, Smith G [2003]. Evaluation of risk factors for bite wounds inflicted on caregivers by dogs and cats in a veterinary teaching hospital. J Am Vet Med Assoc 223(3):312-316.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12906224

Elchos BL, Scheftel JM, Cherry B, DeBess EE, Hopkins SG, Levine JF, Williams CJ [2008]. Compendium of veterinary standard precautions for zoonotic disease prevention in veterinary personnel. J Am Vet Med Assoc 233(3):415-432.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18673027

Fritschi L [2000]. Cancer in veterinarians. Occup Environ Med 57(5):289-297.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10769295

Fritschi L, Day L, Shirangi A, Robertson I, Lucas M, Vizard A [2006]. Injury in Australian veterinarians. Occup Med (Lond) 56(3):199-203.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16492680

Fritschi L, Morrison D, Shirangi A, Day L [2009]. Psychological well-being of Australian veterinarians. Aust Vet J 87(3):76-81.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19245615

Fritschi L, Shirangi A, Robertson ID, Day LM [2008]. Trends in exposure of veterinarians to physical and chemical hazards and use of protection practices. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81(3):371-378.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17643262

Gabel CL, Gerberich SG [2002]. Risk factors for injury among veterinarians. Epidemiology 13(1):80-86.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11805590

Glickman LT [1992]. Implications of the human/animal bond for human health and veterinary practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 201(6):848-851.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1399790

Hill DJ, Langley RL, Morrow WM [1998]. Occupational injuries and illnesses reported by zoo veterinarians in the United States. J Zoo Wildl Med 29(4):371-385.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10065844

Holzbauer SM, DeVries AS, Sejvar JJ, Lees CH, Adjemian J, McQuiston JH, Medus C, Lexau CA, Harris JR, Recuenco SE, Belay ED, Howell JF, Buss BF, Hornig M, Gibbins JD, Brueck SE, Smith KE, Danila RN, Lipkin WI, Cachance DH, Dyck PJ, Lynfield R [2010]. Epidemiologic investigation of immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy among abattoir workers exposed to porcine brain. PLoS One 5(3):e9782
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20333310

Hunt TD, Ziccardi MH, Gulland FM, Yochem PK, Hird DW, Rowles T, Mazet JA [2008]. Health risks for marine mammal workers. Dis Aquat Organ 81(1):81-92.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18828566

Jeyaretnam J, Jones H [2000]. Physical, chemical and biological hazards in veterinary practice. Aust Vet J 78(11):751-758.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11194720

Jeyaretnam J, Jones H, Phillips M [2000]. Disease and injury among veterinarians. Aust Vet J 78(9):625-629.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11022291

Johnson-Delaney CA [2005]. Safety issues in the exotic pet practice. Vet Clin Exot Anim 8:515-524.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16129358

Kahn LH [2006]. Confronting zoonoses, linking human and veterinary medicine. Emerg Infect Dis 12(4).
http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1204.050956

King BS, Page EH, Mueller CA, Dollberg DD, Gomez KE, Warren AM [2006]. Eye and respiratory symptoms in poultry processing workers exposed to chlorine by-products. Am J Ind Med 49(2):119-26.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16419092

Korczynski RE [1999]. Anesthetic gas exposure in veterinary clinics. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 14(6):384-390.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10429733

Landercasper J, Cogbill TH, Strutt PJ, Landercasper BO [1988]. Trauma and the veterinarian. J Trauma 28(8):1255-1259.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3411647

Langley R [1999]. Physical hazards of animal handlers. Occup Med 14(2):181-194.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10329900

Lucas M, Day L, Shirangi A, Fritschi L [2009]. Significant injuries in Australian veterinarians and use of safety precautions. Occup Med (Lond). 59(5):327-333
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19468101

Lucas M, Day L, Fritschi L [2009]. Injuries to Australian veterinarians working with horses. Vet Rec 164(7):207-209.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19218591

MacMahon K, Delaney L, Kullman G, Gibbins J, Decker J, Keifer M [2008]. Protecting poultry workers from exposure to avian influenza viruses. Public Health Reports 123:316-322.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19006973

Michalak K, Austin C, Diesel S, Maichle Bacon J, Zimmerman P, Maslow J [1998]. Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a zoonotic disease: transmission between humans and elephants. Emerg Infect Dis 4(2).
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/4/2/98-0217_article.htm

Moore RM, Jr., Davis YM, Kaczmarek RG [1993]. An overview of occupational hazards among veterinarians, with particular reference to pregnant women. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 54(3):113-120.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8447254

Murphree R, Warkentin JV, Dunn JR, Schaffner W, Jones TF [2011]. Elephant-to-human transmission of tuberculosis, 2009. Emerg Infect Dis 17(3).
http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/17/3/366.htm

Nienhaus A, Skudlik C, Seidler A [2005]. Work-related accidents and occupational diseases in veterinarians and their staff. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 78(3):230-238.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15776262

Ruby DL, Buchan RM, Gunter BJ [1980]. Waste anesthetic gas and vapor exposures in veterinary hospitals and clinics. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 41(3):229-231.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7395736

Scheftel JM, Elchos BL, Cherry B, DeBess EE, Hopkins SG, Levine JF, Williams CJ, Bell MR, Dvorak GD, Funk RH, Just SD, Samples OM, Schaefer EC, Silvia CA [2010]. Compendium of veterinary standard precautions for zoonotic disease prevention in veterinary personnel: National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Veterinary Infection Control Committee 2010. J Am Vet Med Assoc 237(12):1403-1422.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21155680

Scuffham AM, Firth EC, Stevenson MA, Legg SJ [2010]. Tasks considered by veterinarians to cause them musculoskeletal discomfort, and suggested solutions. N Z Vet J 58(1):37-44.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20200574

Sheldon T [2003]. Vet dies from pneumonia in avian flu case. BMJ 326(7396):952.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12727760

Shirangi A, Fritschi L, Holman CD, Bower C [2009]. Birth defects in offspring of female veterinarians. J Occup Environ Med 51(5):525-533.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19369893

Shirangi A, Fritschi L, Holman CD [2008]. Maternal occupational exposures and risk of spontaneous abortion in veterinary practice. Occup Environ Med 65(11):719-725.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18388114

Steele LL, Wilkins JR, 3rd [1996]. Occupational exposures and risks of spontaneous abortion among female veterinarians. Int J Occup Environ Health 2(1):26-36.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9933862

Talan DA, Citron DM, Abrahamian FM, Moran GJ, Goldstein EJ [1999]. Bacteriologic analysis of infected dog and cat bites. Emergency Medicine Animal Bite Infection Study Group. N Engl J Med 340(2):85-92.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9887159

Taylor LH, Latham SM, Woolhouse ME [2001]. Risk factors for human disease emergence. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 356(1411):983-989.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11516376

van Soest EM, Fritschi L [2004]. Occupational health risks in veterinary nursing: an exploratory study. Aust Vet J 82(6):346-350.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15267093

Weese JS, Jack DC [2008]. Needlestick injuries in veterinary medicine. Can Vet J 49(8):780-784.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18978971

Weese JS, Faires M [2009]. A survey of needle handling practices and needlestick injuries in veterinary technicians. Can Vet J 50(12):1278-1282.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20190978

Wiggins P, Schenker MB, Green R, Samuels S [1989]. Prevalence of hazardous exposures in veterinary practice. Am J Ind Med 16(1):55-66.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2750751

Wilkins MJ, Bartlett PC, Judge LJ, Erskine RJ, Boulton ML, Kaneene JB [2009]. Veterinarian injuries associated with bovine TB testing livestock in Michigan, 2001. Prev Vet Med 89(3-4):185-190.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19303154

Wilkins JR, 3rd, Bowman ME [1997]. Needlestick injuries among female veterinarians: frequency, syringe contents and side-effects. Occup Med (Lond) 47(8):451-457.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9604476

Wright JG, Jung S, Holman RC, Marano NN, McQuiston JH [2008]. Infection control practices and zoonotic disease risks among veterinarians in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(12):1863-1872.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18598158

For More Information

• National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV)
• American Veterinary Medical Assocation (AVMA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)