Working in the Industry

Pet Store / Retail Assistant

People working in a pet shop or produce store are working in a retail environment. In addition to selling a large variety of different companion animal care products, they may also sell live animals and provide advice on their care. This means a broad base of knowledge is required about the animals and products that are available. If the pet shop sells animals, retail attendants need to know how to safely handle and care for each species and be able to communicate effectively with customers to tell them about dietary requirements, housing, and potential health issues.

Boarding Kennels / Cattery Attendant

Boarding facilities, such as kennels and catteries, employ staff to clean, feed and exercise animals in their care. These staff are often referred to as kennel/boarding attendants. A boarding attendant is responsible for ensuring animals are cared for while owners are away from home. Dogs and cats in these situations are often highly stressed and may require personalised care to help them adjust to the boarding environment.

Groomers

Groomers work in grooming parlours, mobile grooming units, and also in some veterinary clinics. Duties may include brushing coats, washing, drying, and clipping/styling. Groomers work mostly with dogs; however, may also be asked to groom other animals, such as cats and rabbits. If working from a mobile grooming unit, you would need to hold a driver's license and have the appropriate insurance. It would also be important to understand the legislation regarding the disposal of water and chemicals once finished with clients and their pets.

Pet Sitters / Dog Walkers

Pet sitting usually involves a sitter travelling to an owner's house on either a daily basis or staying overnight to look after the pet/s while the owners are away. A variation of in-house pet sitting is the concept of pet daycare. Pets are left at a pet sitter's house or potentially a commercial facility to be cared for by staff daily, returning to their owner's home each night. Dog walking may or may not be included in the price of pet sitting. Alternatively, dog walking services may be provided daily, especially in large urban environments for busy owners.

Work tasks

Work tasks are the roles and responsibilities each employee is required to perform in their job. If an employee is unclear of their tasks, they can access their job description through their staff handout/ induction or complete further on-the-job training.

There are various factors that impact the work tasks. Some of these include:

Timing

This could depend on the time of day, month, or year. It could also contribute to the productivity and demand of the company.

The role within the organisation

Smaller organisations may require an employee to take on a wider scope of roles, while in bigger organisations, roles may be specific to each set department. This means each employee would only be responsible for the tasks that are more relevant and focused to them and limits time on duties that may be administrative or irrelevant.

The type of industry

The type of industry would also change your work tasks; e.g. your tasks would be slightly different if you were working at a veterinary clinic versus working at an animal shelter.

The type of workplace

Each workplace has a unique approach to the way that tasks are completed, which is why there is an orientation/induction process that occurs at the commencement of employment. It could be that the steps for handling/ restraining a pet may be slightly different or that the recommended medications for pets are a totally different brand to what you are used to seeing on the counters. It may take some time to change your ways if you have been at a previous workplace for a lengthy amount of time, but it is important to follow the policies and procedures of the workplace you work at to ensure you are abiding by the same rules which apply to everyone else.

A Code of Conduct is developed by an individual organisation and often outlines, in one document, how the business maintains its ethical work practices. Examples of ethical work practices are honesty, integrity, promise-keeping, trustworthiness, loyalty, fairness, concern for others, respect for others, law-abiding, commitment to excellence, leadership, reputation, morale and accountability.

Staff are often required to read and agree to abide by the specifications of the Code of Conduct, which may outline behavioural and presentation standards for employees. Smaller organisations may not have a separate Code of Conduct. Rather, individual ethical work practices may simply be embedded into individual policies and procedures.

Activity

Think about Zoe, who wants to start her own dog-walking business, or perhaps about a business that you might see yourself working in for the future. Draft a simple Code of Conduct in poster form. The idea would be that you could display it on a social media account or on the wall of a shop so your customers can see your values. When you are done, post it in the forum. Don’t forget to check out and like what your classmates have done!

Policies and procedures are developed by an individual organisation or even a specific department within that organisation and usually relate to a specific topic or individual task. They provide overarching guidelines and step-by-step processes set out in a way that’s easy for staff to locate.

Policies

These are standards or regulations put in place by an organisation. They can be presented in hard or digital copy and should always be accessible within the workplace. Policies often stipulate how the workplace will be implementing and abiding by relevant legislation. For example, a workplace may have a Privacy Policy or an Anti-Discrimination / Equal Opportunity Policy. Generally, workplace policies are implemented by a set of procedures.

Examples of workplace policies that you may be required to abide by are:

• Animal welfare - includes feeding and watering, animal handling, housing setup and maintenance, exercise, and socialisation needs.
• Environmental sustainability - includes proper use and disposal of potentially hazardous substances and reducing energy/water use.
• Infection control - includes clinical waste disposal, handwashing techniques, and aseptic techniques.
• Cleaning and hygiene - includes cleaning schedules, cleaning techniques, cleaning equipment, and sanitising agents.
• Workplace health and safety - includes the duty of care for employers and employees, evacuation procedures, and hazard/risk control.
• Anti-discrimination and anti-bullying - includes the protection of employees regardless of disability, race, gender, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation.
• Privacy - includes provisions for the protection of employee and client personal information.

Procedures

Also known as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), these are detailed documents that outline how to safely and effectively complete a task step-by-step. SOPs are easy to follow and include details such as potential health and safety issues and control methods for minimising the risk associated with potential hazards. SOPs ensure that existing staff members are completing workplace tasks with consistency and that all new staff members are aware of organisational standards and requirements. SOPs should be readily available to all staff members and consulted when completing an unfamiliar task.

Activity

Imagine you are going away for a week, and you have employed someone to look after your pet. Write an SOP for how you would like the pet sitter to carry out tasks for caring for your pet. Post your SOP in the forum.

Task Checklists

Checklists are used in the workplace to ensure that certain duties, such as maintenance and/or cleaning tasks, are completed as required. Task lists may be divided into separate checklists based on the frequency with which the task is required to be completed (for example, daily, weekly, or monthly lists), or they can be divided into separate room lists. For example, a veterinary clinic may have separate checklists for tasks to be completed in the surgery room, consulting room, waiting area, etc. When you are working from a checklist, you must consult your workplace SOPs to effectively complete any unfamiliar tasks. You must date and sign your name once you complete any task from a checklist so your colleagues are aware that the task has been completed for that day, week, or month. This ensures others are not wasting time by repeating cleaning or maintenance tasks.

Activity

You’ve had to leave town unexpectedly and have asked someone to look after your pet. Write a checklist for your pet sitter to make sure they do all of the things your pet needs to be happy and healthy while you are away. Be as detailed as you think your pet needs. Share your checklist in the forum. Is it similar or different to your classmates’ ones?

A roster is generally a list or plan of hours to be worked by each individual employee on any given day. Rosters exist to ensure an appropriate number of employees will be available for the duration of an organisation's trading hours. Rosters are generally produced by senior staff members or management in consultation with employees. It is in the best interest of management to ensure a healthy work-life balance can be maintained around an employee's work hours. Clear and detailed rosters ensure there is no confusion, and all employees will be present for their shifts. Rosters may also detail an employee's total number of hours for the period indicated. Sometimes, rosters will use the 24-hour clock, so you will need to make sure that you can understand this quickly.

Do these exercises in your head before you check your answers by clicking the + symbol.

Later on in this module, you will learn more about workplace communications. It is important to familiarise yourself with your workplace policies and procedures for good communication with your employer, colleagues and clients.

There are various types of communication that you will undertake with other staff members and clients or customers.

These include:

• Face-to-face communication.
• Written correspondence such as letters, text messages or emails.
• Phone calls.

It is also important to remember that just like animals, we also communicate non-verbally with our body language. Be aware of your posture and body movements when communicating.

Teamwork is also important, especially in situations where risks or hazards are present. Maintaining open communication can assist in maintaining positive and constructive teamwork.

If you see someone struggling or have completed your required tasks, lend a hand!

As an individual with a Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3), you will be able to go into an animal care workplace in an entry or support role. In most workplaces, your job role or title will be Animal Attendant. This does not mean you are limited to these roles; however, some workplaces may require you to do additional study to move into other positions.

The types of tasks or responsibilities you may be asked to complete include:

• Cleaning and maintenance of animal housing.
• Feeding and watering animals.
• Handling and/or restraining animals for treatment or medications.
• Exercising animals.
• Developing and implementing enrichment strategies.
• General cleaning and maintenance of the animal care facility.
• Laundry.
• Client interactions, including the admission and discharge of animals into the facility.
• Restocking, including making up chemicals or solutions.

Watch: Animal Care Attendant - A day in the life (2:07 minutes)

A look at a day in the life of animal shelter officers who work for Auckland Council

Questions

Pre-Watch Question: Compare Emily’s day at work with the animal care attendant in the video. What’s similar and what’s different between their roles? Whose day do you prefer the most? Why?

With any job, it is important to demonstrate a good work ethic. So, what does this mean? Take a moment to think about each of the seven ‘A’s of good work ethics before you click on the + signs to the right.

Activity

How does Aroha demonstrate the seven ‘A’s? Read about her typical day below. For those of you who already work in the industry, how does this compare to your situation?

Appearance

Your appearance is extremely important, especially when interacting with clients. All employees should follow these simple rules for personal hygiene:

1. Hair should be tied back and off your face. It should be neat and tidy.
2. Makeup should be kept to a minimum.
3. A name badge may be required.
4. Shower daily and use deodorant.
5. Clothes should be neat, tidy and clean. If you are required to wear a uniform, it should be worn correctly.
6. Short and clean nails. Acrylic/fake nails and nail polish rules will differ in each workplace. For hygiene and aseptic reasons, the general rule of thumb is no.
7. Long, loose-fitting pants.
8. Non-slip enclosed shoes.

Activity

Why is appearance so important in the animal care industry? Is it just because of looks? Post your ideas and share your industry or personal experience related to appearance in the forum.

Within the animal care industry, several common hazards can occur in the workplace. You need to know and understand what these hazards are and how to control them, so workers are not exposed to the risks from these potential hazards.

The awareness of workplace hazards and risks is an important element to any employee. Quite often, the more obvious areas of concern will have already been identified by management and/or industry advisory bodies, and these will be documented in your workplace’s Health and Safety policy. However, it is the responsibility of individual employees to be familiar with each identified hazard and the likelihood of it occurring (risk factor) and to report any instances of unsafe practice, broken machinery/equipment or poor layout of furniture/equipment. This helps to prevent near misses or injuries from occurring.

What is the difference between Hazards and Risks?

A Hazard is something that can cause you harm, for example, electricity, chemicals or an animal.

A Risk is the likelihood of that hazard occurring and also the level of severity of harm that it may cause.

In New Zealand, www.worksafe.govt.nz has provided the 4-step PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT approach as a guideline for individuals and businesses to manage risk management.

Specific legislation relating to health and safety in the workplace will be covered in Module 2.

Duty of care

Employers and employees both have legal responsibilities as per Workplace Health and Safety legislation. Acts will often refer to the phrase "duty of care". This is the care owed by one person to another. Concerning hazards and risks in the workplace, a duty of care helps to ensure that hazards are identified, assessed, and controlled (hierarchy of control = elimination, substitution, engineering, administration, or personal protective equipment), and the process is reviewed regularly by applicable parties to reduce incidents.

Employer duty of care

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015:

The primary duty of care is a broad, overarching duty. It includes having effective practices in place for:

• Providing and maintaining:
  • a work environment that is without risk to health and safety.
  • safe plant and structures.
  • safe systems of work.
  • adequate facilities for the welfare of workers at work.
• Safe use, handling and storage of plant, substances and structures.
• The provision of information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect people from risks to health and safety arising from the work carried out.
• Monitoring the health of workers and the conditions at the workplace to prevent illness or injury to workers arising from the work carried out.

^{Source: Health and safety at work » Employment New Zealand}

Employee duty of care

Likewise, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 states that an employee must do the following:

1. Take reasonable care for their own health and safety.
2. Take reasonable care for the health and safety of others.
3. Comply with any reasonable instructions, policies, and procedures provided by the employer or business.

Animal Handling Hazards

Animal handling presents a very likely risk of injury and must be undertaken with due caution and by following set procedures.

Always ensure you are adequately prepared before handling animals: close doors, remove obstacles and secure other animals. Observe the behaviour and temperament of the animal before approaching to ascertain if it is displaying signs of stress, fear or aggression. Use appropriate restraint techniques and equipment. Before and after handling animals, it is best practice to practice effective personal hygiene (handwashing).

Common Injuries/Conditions

Common injuries/conditions (hazards) that can occur as a result of animal handling include:

• Bites - most animals can bite, some worse than others.
• Scratches - animals with sharp claws can inflict quite serious scratches to your skin if they are scared or trying to flee.
• Kicks, crush injuries, head butting/charging, and trampling are common when handling large animals such as livestock or horses.
• Zoonotic diseases - diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans if proper precautions are not taken.

In addition to these injuries, it is important to consider exposure to some bodily fluids as they can also cause illness and potential infection if proper hygiene has not been carried out. Bodily fluids from animals may include:

• Blood
• Faeces
• Vomit
• Urine
• Saliva
• Placenta

Zoonotic Diseases

A zoonosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites that spread between animals and humans. We’ll look more closely at symptoms and treatments for these in another module.

Types of Zoonotic Diseases

Visceral larval migrans (roundworm)

Occurs in dogs, cats and other animals when roundworm larvae migrate to and mature in tissue rather than the gastrointestinal tract. Causes damage to tissues, allergic reactions, and visual and/or neurological damage. Prevented by deworming pets and maintaining hygiene.

Scabies

Mainly occurs in dogs, pigs and humans. Contracted via direct contact with an infected animal. Causes itchy red dots on the skin from burrowing mites. Prevented by maintaining hygiene and treating infected animals.

Hydatid tapeworm

Occurs in humans through contact with infected dog and cat faeces. Causes cysts to develop in the lungs, liver, and brain - these cysts can be 50cm in diameter. During surgical removal, cysts may burst and form hundreds of new cysts. Prevented by maintaining proper hygiene, wearing gloves, deworming animals for hydatid tapeworm and not feeding raw liver, lungs or other organs of sheep to animals.

Ringworm

Transmitted from cats, dogs and horses, is not a worm but a fungal infection of the top layers of the skin and hair. The kinds of fungi that cause ringworm are called Dermatophytes. While generally harmless, ringworm is highly contagious to humans, especially to children, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, which can be found in garden soil and raw meat. Cats can get toxoplasma infection by killing and eating infected prey. When pregnant women are exposed, the following foetal defects may occur; foetal retardation, anaemia, hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and miscarriage. Males and non-pregnant females may experience flu-like symptoms when infected. It is prevented by cleaning up cat faeces immediately while wearing gloves, as transmission through infected cat faeces is most common (ideally, pregnant women should avoid cleaning up cat faeces altogether). Avoid handling raw or uncooked meat, peel and wash home-grown vegetables, wear gloves when gardening and cleaning up sandpits, and maintain hygiene.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a large family of bacteria. Reptiles and other animals can carry a range of Salmonella in their intestines. When ingested by humans, this bacterium has the potential to cause severe intestinal disease. Good personal hygiene measures, including effective and thorough hand washing along with the use of personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves, will help to reduce the likelihood of infection.

Staphylococcus

Staphylococcus is caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. Generally, Staphylococcus bacteria can live on the skin of mice and other rodents in small numbers without causing any disease in healthy animals. However, when a mouse has a compromised immune system through an injury or an underlying illness, the Staphylococcus bacteria can grow in large numbers and cause pain and discomfort to the rodent through skin sores and general ill thrift. Human handlers must ensure quarantine procedures are used to avoid contracting the skin bacteria from infected rodents.

Treating bites and scratches

Bites and scratches not only cause pain and discomfort, but there is also the risk of wound infection, contracting a zoonotic disease or, in the cases of severe injury, surgical intervention. Animals are creatures of habit. If you are working in an animal care facility caring for an animal, the chances are that you have disrupted their routine, causing anxiety and possibly fear-driven behaviour. Even the most placid animals may become frightened by strange people and different noises.

Injury

In the event of an injury, it is very important to follow these steps to avoid further injury to both the handler and the animal.

• Secure the animal (or get someone with the correct knowledge to assist if you are unable to do this).
• Bathe the affected area with antiseptic (such as iodine).
• Apply basic first aid, such as dressings, to control bleeding.
• Notify your supervisor and complete a workplace incident report form.
• Seek medical advice for more serious injuries.

Psychological hazards

In the animal care industry, you may come across situations that cause psychological distress or even damage. Some of these situations may include:

• Overtime and working long hours.
• Shift work.
• Dealing with difficult and/or grieving clients.
• Animal suffering.
• Euthanasia of sick and sometimes healthy animals.
• Heavy workloads.
• Conflicts with colleagues.
• Workplace bullying/harassment.

The above factors may contribute to causing work-related stress. Work-related stress is a significant health and safety issue and may have temporary or lasting effects on your mental health and physical well-being. Depression, anxiety, a drop in productivity, headaches, difficulty sleeping, lethargy and an increase in sick days may all be signs of work-related stress. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you are urged to seek assistance from your supervisor, human resources manager, doctor or psychologist.

Ergonomic hazards

Ergonomic hazards can occur as a result of:

• Incorrect lifting technique - resulting in back strain. Ensure you utilise the correct lifting technique and seek assistance when attempting to lift heavy items (including heavy animals).
• Incorrect sitting posture - Resulting in neck strain, eye strain, and headaches. Ensure you have your chair, desk and computer set up correctly for your height and desk layout if you have a desk job.
• Repetitive actions - resulting in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (a disorder in the wrist and hand). Ensure you take regular breaks and wear appropriate protective gear.

Manual Handling

Manual handling is a part of every job; however, in a veterinary clinic, you may do more than others. Manual handling tasks could include:

• Lifting animals.
• Replenishing stocks of tinned and dry food.
• Stacking boxes.

At times, your work tasks may involve bending, stretching, twisting, or working with heavy loads. All of these increase the risk of manual handling injuries if the tasks are not performed correctly. Several injuries can be sustained if not living correctly. Some of these may include:

• Sprains to muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
• Back injuries with the inclusion of damage to nerves, discs and tendons.
• Joint and bone injuries, including shoulder, wrist, knees, ankles, elbows, hands and feet.

Correct lifting techniques

Ensure you keep your back straight at all times, unlike the following diagram:

Physical Hazards

There are physical hazards that can present themselves within the animal care industry that you will need to be mindful of, which can help you take extra precautions.

The following table illustrates the common physical hazards that may be present in the animal care environment along with a preventative and suggested Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to minimise the risk.

Chemical Hazards (Hazardous Substances)

Hazardous substances that have the potential to cause harm to the body and may also endanger the environment if not disposed of correctly can be found in the workplace in several physical forms, such as:

• Fumes
• Smoke
• Mist
• Gases
• Vapours
• Liquids

The following table illustrates the chemical hazard categories along with the damage that can be inflicted with exposure.

Ensure that you are aware of the risks associated with the chemicals you are using in your workplace.

Supervisors and safety data sheets should be consulted as necessary, particularly with the arrival of new chemicals. Personal protective equipment MUST be used if recommended by a supervisor, policy/procedure and/or safety data sheet.

Hazardous substances may enter the body in the following ways:

• Ingestion - eating or drinking the substance.
• Inhalation – breathing in fumes, vapours, mists and dust.
• Absorption - chemical contact with mucous membranes, eyes, and skin.
• Parenteral - administration by injection, either accidental or intentional.

People will be affected by contact with hazardous substances to a greater or lesser degree depending on the toxicity of the substance, amount of substance taken into the body, duration of exposure to the substance and individual biological and physiological differences (for example, age, weight, metabolism, immune function and pregnancy).

Safety Data Sheets

Documents that provide critical information about hazardous chemicals are known as Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

In New Zealand, manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals must prepare an SDS for each product and make this readily available. Workplaces must keep copies of relevant SDSs in a readily accessible location for all employees who may require them. Your workplace will potentially have these in a manual or computer system.

Note: SDSs are regularly updated, and workplaces must check for any updates on a routine basis and download/print out the correct version for their manual.

These documents include:

• The chemical's identity and ingredients.
• Health and physical hazards.
• Safe handling and storage procedures.
• Emergency procedures.
• Disposal considerations.

Worksafe (www.worksafe.govt.nz) has provided a document for businesses, Safety datasheets in the workplace – quick guide. This contains examples of SDS – check it out here: Safety data sheets | WorkSafe

Safe Storage and Handling

Hazardous substances must be stored securely and labelled clearly. A number of the substances used in veterinary practice must be kept in locked storage and accessed only by veterinary practitioners. They may include medications and dangerous drugs.

Some medications that may be deemed as hazardous include animal medications such as:

• Anaesthetics
• Chemotherapy drugs

Your clinic will have policies and procedures related to the storage and handling of dangerous chemicals and drugs, and you should ensure you know what these are and the level of responsibility you have for handling them. Some chemicals that you are likely to come into contact with within animal care include:

• Sterilising chemicals, including disinfectants.
• Cleaning products, including detergents.
• Solvents.

Hazards from Machinery and Equipment

Inevitably, hazards do arise in the workplace environment. The use of equipment and machinery is a high consideration. Some examples (but are not limited to) include:

Controllers of the equipment, machinery, appliances or substances used in the workplace also have legal responsibilities. Controllers of the equipment may include specialist contractors handling the installation or decommissioning of equipment in the workplace. Regulations stipulate the risk management requirements with which the contractor must comply.

Any equipment which may affect the health and safety of the public is also the responsibility of the owner as stipulated by legislation.

Essentially, any other personnel required in the work environment has a responsibility to take reasonable care for their health and safety, as well as all other personnel in the workplace. To achieve this, they will need to comply with any reasonable instruction given by the employer/PCBU and ensure that their actions or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of any personnel in the workplace.

Radiation Hazards

UV Radiation

Otherwise known as sunburn. May cause skin cancer.

Prevention methods for sunburn include covering all exposed areas of the body by wearing:

• long sleeve shirts and full-length pants to cover all exposed areas of the body.
• a wide-brimmed hat.
• sunscreen with a sun protector factor of SPF30+.
• UV protective sunglasses.

Please note: Glass, windows, and clouds do not protect you from UV radiation. You can still get burnt on overcast days.

Many roles in the animal care industry involve long hours working outside. Protecting yourself from sunburn and skin cancer should be part of your daily routine.

Watch: How to Apply Sunscreen (0:50 minutes)

X-rays

Only appropriately trained and qualified staff with a current radiography license should operate the machinery (in most cases, this is only for veterinarians). They have specific instructions to follow and must wear personal protective equipment.

Repeated exposure of human tissues to invisible X-rays may cause:

• tumour development.
• cataracts.
• foetal damage.
• bone marrow damage.
• cutaneous burns.
• blindness.
• infertility.

Be aware of this hazard. However, as you will not be required to operate this type of equipment, it is a very low risk to you.

Clinical Waste/ Biological Hazards

Clinical waste is the by-products of medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical or similar professions and may consist of human or animal tissue, blood, body fluids, excretion, drugs, swabs, dressings, syringes, needles and other sharp instruments.

These products may pose a hazard to people coming into contact with them due to the risk of physical injury (cutting oneself with a sharp implement) or infection (from contaminated sources).

Storage, treatment and disposal

Producers of clinical waste should ensure that such waste is stored, treated and disposed of as per the following conditions.

• Stored in a leak-proof container with a securely fitting lid.
• Stored in a weatherproof, secure location.
• Isolated from other wastes.
• Stored in a manner that poses no threat to health, safety or the environment.
• Clearly labelled as containing clinical or biological waste.
• In the case of accidental spillage, all necessary equipment to clean and disinfect the area should be readily available. This may include a spill kit.
• Disposed of as soon as reasonably possible as per legislative or regulatory guidelines. For example, specifically licensed contractors may be required to pick up clinic waste, or local government (councils) may have stipulations regarding the disposal of animal waste and carcasses.
• If any other waste is mixed with clinical waste, that waste is also to be treated as clinical waste.

The following symbol warns of a potential biological hazard that may be associated with clinical waste. This symbol/warning sign might be displayed on disposal receptacles like sharps containers or certain bins.

Sharps

Sharps can be defined as objects or devices having sharp points capable of cutting or piercing the skin, causing needle stick injuries and infection. This includes but is not limited to, hypodermic needles, scalpels, syringes, broken glass ampoules and/or bottles and scissors.

Sharps must be disposed of in special containers that are secure and appropriately labelled. They are then collected by or sent to licensed collection agencies for appropriate disposal. Sharps containers are variably sized yellow plastic containers that are:

• puncture-resistant, leak-proof, shatter-proof and able to withstand heavy handling.
• clearly labelled as clinical waste and display the biohazard symbol.
• able to be sealed when ready for disposal and capable of being handled without danger of the contents spilling.

The following images are examples of sharps containers that are commonly used.

Assess Risks

Assessing risk means determining the likelihood of the risk occurring and, if it does, what the severity level may be. The risk matrix below provides a visual reference of how risk likelihood and severity interact.

A determination of the likelihood of a hazard occurring is made, and then a determination of the accompanying risk factor is also made. The two items will intersect within the matrix, and depending on the colour code of the intersecting square, the hazard is determined to be either High Risk (Red), Medium Risk (Orange), or Low Risk (Yellow).  Hazards are ranked using this matrix in their initial instance; however, the risk factor can be reduced if control measures are utilized.

For example, the hazard of being bitten by a dog may initially be a Remote likelihood with a Major severity factor. However, the risk factor can be lowered to Extremely Remote likelihood if proper training is initiated for animal handlers, and the severity factor can be reduced to Minor if personal protective equipment is utilized.

Control Risks

The next step is to follow the Hierarchy of Controls to select the best method of eliminating or reducing risk. One or more of these control measures should be applied to each hazard to reduce the likelihood and/or severity of an injury occurring.

The Hierarchy of Controls:

1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Engineering Controls
4. Administrative Controls
5. PPE

Click the labels or (+) symbols to read more about each of these controls.

Report incidents and injuries to supervisor

Whenever you sustain an injury or you observe a near miss (see below for definition) in the workplace, then it must be reported. This could be to the owner of the practice, the business manager or the Health and Safety Officer (if your workplace has one).

When you identify a hazard, you are required to complete an incident/*near miss reporting form and report it to the appropriate person.

• The employee is to complete all required fields on the form.
• Once the incident/*near miss report is completed, the workplace’s manager and/ or senior supervisor will need to receive a copy of that report.
• This report must then be actioned on as per the workplace's policies and procedures.

* A near miss is defined as any occurrence that might have led to an injury or illness to people, danger to health and/or damage to property or the environment.

We’ll dive deeper into Workplace Health and Safety in Module 2

Activity

What are some of the risks and hazards that Caleb has to be mindful of every day? Make a list and give each one a rating using the hazard matrix above. Then, come up with a list of ways that he can eliminate or minimise each risk or hazard. Share your findings in the forum.

Maintaining a clean, hygienic workplace is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In the animal care industry, this helps to protect the animals you work with and reduces the risk to yourself and others from potentially zoonotic diseases. A dirty workplace also looks unprofessional to customers and may prevent them from returning in the future.

In addition to this, regular cleaning helps you to identify damage to animal housing and equipment and get it fixed early before it causes injury or is beyond repair. Regular cleaning also makes cleaning easier. Leaving something for a long time to clean makes cleaning it more difficult when the task eventually gets done.

There are some differences between cleaning and sanitising.

• Cleaning – the physical removal of visible contamination, i.e. rubbish, faeces, grime, and dirt.
  • This process often includes the use of water and detergent.
• Sanitising – the killing of bacteria using heat and/or chemicals.

Cleaning schedules

What areas are required to be cleaned, and when?

• Surfaces should be wiped over to remove dirt and possible contamination - after each use.
• Holding cages and runs that are currently in use should be thoroughly cleaned daily and spot-cleaned as required to remove additional faeces, vomit, and spilled food.
• Bedding, bowls, toys, and other accessories should be cleaned after each use.
• Equipment used during the treatment or handling of animals must be cleaned and sanitised - after each use.
• Hands should be washed after each contact with potential sources of contamination.
• Floors should be mopped regularly, at least daily, and spot-cleaned as required.
• Bins should be emptied daily and additionally as required if they are full.
• Drains should be cleaned weekly.
• Cleaning equipment, such as mops, buckets, and washing machines, should be cleaned regularly.
• Scrub tops, gowns, and/or work clothes should be washed regularly and changed or removed when entering/exiting 'controlled' areas (such as surgical suites and isolation wards).

Most workplaces will have documented cleaning schedules that form part of the policies and procedures manual/ system. A cleaning schedule and the policy/procedure that it is linked to will normally outline the following information:

• Areas to be cleaned.
• Equipment required.
• Cleaning techniques.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
• Health and safety information related to particular cleaning processes, products, or equipment.
• Frequency of cleaning required.
• Checklists for recording when cleaning has been completed.

Cleaning processes

Basic Cleaning

Waste removal and wiping/scrubbing with water and mild detergent will remove dirt and grime from a surface or environment.

Examples of detergents include:

• Dishwashing liquid.
• Floor cleaner.
• Spray and wipe sprays (unless specifically labelled as a disinfectant).
• Laundry detergent.

Scrubbing prevents a biofilm, which, if present, can create a barrier that protects microorganisms from physical removal or disinfection. Different areas may require different cleaning strategies depending on the nature of the surface and its use.

Sanitising

Chemical agents that can be applied to inanimate objects that cause the destruction or inhibition of most microorganisms are known as disinfectants.

Examples of disinfectants are:

• Chlorine-based (bleach).
• Solutions with Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Dettol and wet wipes).
• Alcohol-based solutions at least 70% concentration (hand sanitisers).
• Povidone-iodine topical solutions (Betadine).

As disinfectants are often highly corrosive or carcinogenic, routine use in low-risk areas may not be recommended. This is primarily due to the risk of un-targeted use of disinfectants, possibly contributing to the development of microbial resistance.

A commonly used safe disinfect is F10 (quaternary ammonium and biguanide compound), which is effective against a range of common viruses, bacteria, spores and fungi, including Parvovirus. You can read more about F10 here: F10® SC Veterinary Disinfectant – Product Information – F10 Products

Low-risk areas may include:

• Holding cages/runs for animals with known vaccination/health history.
• Reception areas.
• Outdoor areas.

Ensure you are familiar with the safety recommendations of any potentially hazardous product before using it. If the surface or equipment that you are cleaning is related to an animal of unknown health status, a broad-spectrum disinfectant should be used.

If the animal has a diagnosed illness, a disinfectant known to be effective against the pathogen identified should be used. Remember to ensure that disinfectants do not come into direct contact with animals or their food/water, and ensure surfaces and utensils are thoroughly dried before returning the animal to the area.

Sanitising can also be achieved through the application of heat. The use of autoclaves (industrial sterilising machines) to sanitise/sterilise caging, water bottles, and feeding bowls, as well as utensils, might be standard practice in animal care facilities where infection and biosecurity is a high risk, like veterinary hospitals or scientific laboratories.

Disposing of hazardous waste

In the animal care industry, you will come across many forms of waste, some of which may be hazardous to your health. For example:

Animal Waste

Biological in nature and with the potential to cause harm by acting as a pathological waste while undergoing decomposition. Examples include the following (assuming that the items are not infectious or contaminated):

• Animal carcasses, limbs, and tissue
• Used animal bedding and leftover food items
• Faeces

When disposing of these items, you must not mix non-compatible waste items with animal waste, as they must be separate. Avoid the use of plastic bags (unless necessary). Ensure that bins are not too heavy.

Small animal carcasses can be sent to a general landfill (the tip), but always check with your local council facility first. Some councils have limitations, such as certain days for drop-off and size restrictions. The council may offer a pick-up service for larger animals.

Chemical Waste

Generated from the use of chemicals for medical and or cleaning purposes, has the potential to cause injury or illness if spilled on the skin, inhaled, or swallowed. Chemical waste is divided into two categories relating to its disposal:

• Sewerable - items that can be deposited into drains/sewers. These usually include most cleaning (detergent)/ disinfecting agents as long as they have been sufficiently diluted with water.
• Non-sewerable - certain liquids and solids must be disposed of in specific ways as they might be toxic to the environment.

Refer to the applicable Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific information about each type of chemical that you are using before disposing of any chemical waste. Ensure you thoroughly rinse out any empty bottles or containers and dispose of them as directed. Never re-purpose a chemical container for any other type of product.

Clinical Waste

Medical/biological waste that is potentially infectious or contaminated has the potential to cause illness as a pathological substance or can be a host/carrier of a disease. Examples include:

• Sharps
• Pharmaceuticals
• Fixed tissue/ histology sections
• Infectious or contaminated carcasses, cage linings, or faeces

This type of waste must be placed into an appropriate container and arranged to be collected for disposal by a licensed waste transporter. It will be disposed of in the safest and least harmful way and is generally incinerated at a licensed facility. Similarly, medical sharp waste (syringes and needles) must be placed in a tamper-proof container that is suitably identified as containing sharps or clinical waste and then transported to or picked up by a licensed facility for safe disposal.

Activity

The learning so far about cleaning has been focused on the animal care industry workplace. What can Kai implement at home in caring for their two rabbits, Freya and Ravenna, to make sure they stay happy and healthy? Look at Kai’s set-up for their rabbits and make some suggestions in the forum.

Case Study

Cleaning for pets at home

Freya and Ravenna are indoor rabbits. I have a small hutch for them, which is in the laundry at my house. They free-range the house during the day and put themselves to bed mid-evening. I don’t have a lot of room for a big cage, so the one I use is a small wood and wire one I got from the pet store. It has a collection tray for waste underneath it, which I change when it looks dirty or starts to smell. I keep lots of hay on the bottom of the cage so that their feet can stay off the wires as much as possible.

Let's check your understanding. Complete the following activity.