CVPM OSHA and Workplace Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A veterinary technician is exposed to isoflurane waste anesthetic gas. Which OSHA program requires the clinic to monitor employee exposure levels?
- Industrial Hygiene and Permissible Exposure Limit monitoring under HazCom (Correct answer)
- The Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)
- The Personal Protective Equipment Standard only
- OSHA has no specific standard; only NIOSH guidelines apply
Correct answer: Industrial Hygiene and Permissible Exposure Limit monitoring under HazCom
Employers must assess and monitor chemical exposures against OSHA PELs; anesthetic gases are covered under HazCom with engineering controls like scavenging systems recommended by NIOSH.
Question 2: What does OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard require before servicing veterinary equipment such as autoclaves?
- De-energize and physically lock or tag out energy sources before maintenance begins (Correct answer)
- Post a warning sign near the equipment during servicing
- Assign a safety officer to stand watch during the procedure
- Complete a written equipment inspection log the day before service
Correct answer: De-energize and physically lock or tag out energy sources before maintenance begins
LOTO requires workers to isolate all energy sources and apply locks or tags before performing servicing or maintenance to prevent unexpected startup.
Question 3: Which type of fire extinguisher is recommended for use on an electrical fire involving veterinary diagnostic equipment?
- Class C or ABC dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Class A water extinguisher
- Class B CO2 extinguisher only if under 10 lbs
- Class D extinguisher for metal fires
Correct answer: Class C or ABC dry chemical extinguisher
Class C and multipurpose ABC extinguishers are approved for electrical fires because they use non-conductive agents.
Question 4: An OSHA inspector arrives unannounced at a veterinary clinic. What is the practice manager's most appropriate first action?
- Request to see the inspector's credentials and then accompany them throughout the inspection (Correct answer)
- Deny entry until legal counsel is present
- Allow the inspector to tour the facility without management present
- Immediately call OSHA headquarters to verify the visit
Correct answer: Request to see the inspector's credentials and then accompany them throughout the inspection
Employers have the right to verify credentials and should accompany inspectors during walkaround inspections to provide context and address questions.
Question 5: Which element is NOT required in a written Exposure Control Plan under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
- A list of employee salary ranges for exposed workers (Correct answer)
- Methods of compliance including PPE and engineering controls
- Procedures for evaluating exposure incidents
- A schedule for implementing the plan
Correct answer: A list of employee salary ranges for exposed workers
Employee salary information is not part of the Exposure Control Plan; the plan must address exposure determination, controls, training, and incident evaluation.
Question 6: Under OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, when must employees using N95 respirators in a veterinary setting undergo medical evaluation?
- Before initial use of the respirator (Correct answer)
- Annually after the first year of use
- Only if they report symptoms during use
- Every two years if exposure levels are below the PEL
Correct answer: Before initial use of the respirator
OSHA requires medical evaluation prior to initial fit testing and use of a respirator to ensure the employee can safely wear the device.
Question 7: What is the correct disposal method for expired or unused controlled substances in a veterinary clinic under DEA and safety regulations?
- Use a DEA-registered reverse distributor or authorized take-back program (Correct answer)
- Flush them down the drain with copious water
- Place them in a sharps container and send for incineration
- Return them to the pharmaceutical manufacturer directly
Correct answer: Use a DEA-registered reverse distributor or authorized take-back program
DEA regulations require veterinary practices to dispose of controlled substances through a DEA-registered reverse distributor or authorized disposal program.
CVPM OSHA and Workplace Safety 3
A veterinary technician is exposed to isoflurane waste anesthetic gas.
Which OSHA program requires the clinic to monitor employee exposure levels?