Meet OSHA standards when building
I know I must meet Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) requirements when building my new veterinary practice, but how much will these standards affect my design plans?
Q. I know I must meet Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) requirements when building my new veterinary practice, but how much will these standards affect my design plans?
A. "Generally, OSHA standards affect construction more than they do the design, application, and permitting process," says Mark Hafen, AIA, NCARB, of Gates Hafen Cochrane Architects in Boulder, Colo. To meet OSHA work requirements, Hafen says you must:
Provide eye wash stations.
Offer proper shielding for radiograph and other imaging equipment.
Use ergonomically correct work stations, including correctly positioned keyboards and computer monitors.
Minimize noise pollution.
Control or eliminate hazardous air quality.
Control access to hazardous materials.
"It's always a good idea to check agency regulations before you begin to make sure you're following the most current requirements," Hafen says.
October 2001 Veterinary Economics
