SAFERVETS® POLICIES ARE:
- Easy to follow and simple to read
- Current, correct and up-to-date
- Researched extensively
- Focussed on a single hazard (see list below)
- Set out under the following sections
- What is the hazard?
- What are the potential risks to our health?
- Employer responsibilities
- Safe work procedures (the steps required to stay safe)
- And contain additional information about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), record keeping, incident reporting and recommended reading material for those that like to know more
SAFERVETS® RESEARCH
SAFERVETS® researches widely (so you don’t have to!) to ensure all our information and advice is up-to-date and correct, using the following sources:
- Australian government safety legislation (WorkSafe, SafeWork)
- Advice from WHO, CDC, NIOSH
- Guidelines provided by professional associations and registration boards
- Vet- industry standards, published research and best practice
- Input from industry experts, such as anaesthetic specialists, radiation scientists, environmental waste scientists and more…
WHAT ARE THE SAFERVETS® TOPICS?
Laser
What are the risks of using lasers and how can we work better, in order to keep everyone safe? What to wear when using a laser, what does the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) say?
Liquid Nitrogen
Covers the situations where things might go wrong, when working with liquid nitrogen and how to manage this hazard in clinic.
Manual Handling
How to work safely with common veterinary manual handling challenges such moving animals, working with large animals, and unpredictable patients. Suggested lifting limits and how to reduce the risk of veterinary industry musculoskeletal disease (MSD).
Mobile Stocks
Covers how to safely transport, set up and use the mobile stocks in offsite work situations.
MRI
Learn how to keep team members safe when working with the magnetic field of the MRI.
Office Work
What about desk and computer related work- what can go wrong and how can we remain safe if our roles involve this sort of work? How to maximise comfort and reduce the risk of injury in the office environment including lighting, desk, chair and phone set-up procedures formed with safety in mind
Pallet Lifter
A pallet lifter may be used to transport feed or hay, and a few things can go wrong. This covers how we can reduce the risk of problems, and ensure that everyone in the vicinity also remains safe
Pigs
What is the best way to work with (not against) the natural behaviour of pigs and remain safe? What are some of the more dangerous situations; and way to reduce risk in those moments? What zoonotic diseases might be relevant when working with pigs?
Pocket Pets
Learn how to work safely with mice, rats, guinea pigs, ferrets and rabbits.
Psychosocial Safety Guide (for leaders)
With the new state and territory psychosocial safety regulations in place, this course helps leaders better understand the issues that exist and gives them the background info and conversation starters to begin the necessary and critical consultation process.
Q Fever
Q fever can be contracted from many different species and all veterinary staff are at risk. A potentially serious and notifiable disease, it is vital that a policy is in place and we keep teams safe, this helps you get the topic sorted.
Radioactive Iodine (I-131)
Covers this radiation hazard and how to handle I-131 safely and work with the patient to reduce the risk of worker exposure. Includes procedures to follow to keep the client safe.
Radiology
How to work safely with veterinary radiation, including who is allowed to be present (clients? teenagers? pregnant staff?), how to maximise radiation safety protection, how to check your radiation protection clothing is working
Scintigraphy
For those that undertake this specialised imaging technique, details are provided about the potential radiation exposure risk and how to adapt procedures and techniques to maximise safety, including what to do in the event of a ‘spill’.
Security
How to keep a vet clinic safe from burglary, how to protect valuable veterinary assets like S8 drugs, money and staff, how to work safely when working sole charge.
Sexual Harassment
What is sexual harassment? Why is it a safety risk? In a largely female workforce- how does this impact our behaviours and what is not acceptable? Get up to speed so you don’t get it wrong
Sharps
What veterinary items are considered ‘sharps’, how to behave safely with veterinary sharps, what not to do, how to stop sharps ending up in the wash or left on surgery kit trays, what is the law with disposal? Developed using research on veterinary clinic sharps handling behaviours and injury data.
Sheep
How to safely with sheep either in a group or on their own; what zoonotic diseases are relevant and how to protect staff from them: what are the best handling techniques to use working with sheep, taking their behaviour and size into consideration?
Staff Functions
What are the expected behaviours when staff have work functions, and how do they link to safety legislation? Includes responsible alcohol guidelines and information on how to get everyone home safely.
Telehealth Services
Covers how to work in this unique setting, what risks exist and how to reduce the risk of harm to team members.
Tractor
As tractors may be used around the clinic, it is critical that team members know how to remain safe around or in them. Who is allowed to drive it? What do they need to be aware of? How can they reduce the risk of an incident?
Ultrasonic Cleaner
Key ideas on how to work with this instrument to keep everyone safe, and keep it working in good order.
Underwater Treadmill
Learn how to work with the underwater treadmill in a way to reduce the risk to the patient, team members and clients present.
Veterinary Chemicals
What hazards exist with the veterinary chemicals we work with? Where does safety information exist for veterinary chemicals? What do we wear when handling them? Which ones are potentially dangerous? Do we need a register of chemicals?