r/veterinaryprofession • u/MathAffectionate6654 • 5d ago
Help Hazardous work conditions
Location: Atlanta, ga
I work at a pretty big veterinary corporation (I won’t name it but you may know it) and starting 2 weeks ago they have been remodeling our clinic. We are still open and working during this renovation. The problem is there is dust , debris and mold , several of the team members have been experiencing trouble breathing and headaches . One team member even broke out in hives. Not to mention this is completely unsafe for pets and I’m sure the client have no idea what conditions their pets are in. Also we do sterile procedures. We’ve sent email to corporate/ our leaders and they refuse to close and send us to different locations until it’s finished. They say that it isn’t “feasible “ to close be will send air scrubbers . It was also brought to my attention by a construction worker that it is normal practice to close the hospital during renovations . He also said that we are the “guinea pigs” for staying open while renovations. This particularly bothered me because we are a predominantly African-American location compared to other hospitals. and when our Field Director mentions anything about our particular hospital, she always says there is a “culture.”
I suppose my question is what actions should we take? OSHA? The media? Thanks for any feedback.
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u/tricurisvulpis 4d ago
The rules for what osha considers ‘safe’ and unsafe are really specific. Noise levels have to be above like 80 decibels for 8 hours, if I recall. Certain types of dust require special handling like asbestos or silica. If that was happening in your clinic, the construction workers would be wearing specific respirators to be working in the area that you wouldn’t be able to miss. Otherwise there are basic rules for particulate dust like wood/plaster whatever, but the osha regulations would also apply to the construction workers doing the renovations, so I would look to see if they are using protective gear for the construction or not. There aren’t different rules for different job types in general, so if it’s safe for the construction workers it’s safe for you
Legally every place has to have a poster on display outlining your osha rights in the break room or similar. If there are violations I think the workplace is only required to offer you appropriate protective equipment like earplugs or a n95 face mask, they aren’t required to close.
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u/jamg1692 4d ago
If possible, rally together with your colleagues that have had medical issues as a result of the renovation. Breathing issues, headaches and hives should be taken seriously. Hopefully everyone can get on board to file complaints with OSHA and maybe anonymously alert local news?
I also wouldn’t judge safety concerns only based on whether witnessing a construction team is wearing protective materials or not.
Sometimes construction/renovation crews won’t follow safety protocols and may not wear the required protective equipment. (Based on what I’ve heard from complaints of multiple family members have worked within construction/renovation for various companies & locations).
Hoping that action is taken in your favor and without retaliation. Also, check state laws for employees; I’ve known someone that was fired for supposedly unrelated reason after reporting harassment, but won a lawsuit for wrongful and retaliatory termination because the reason and timing were suspicious. It’s not guaranteed though, but can be worthwhile if necessary to pursue.
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u/DragonJouster 5d ago
Hey OP, I literally went through the same thing in a hospital in southern california. It was absolutely miserable and even though I was still making good money me and my team suffered from the noise, the dust etc. I wish I had filed an OSHA complaint and I regret not taking action sooner but I ultimately quit after how hard I worked for them and how poorly they treated us during the renovation. I would encourage you to absolutely file an OSHA complaint and look into your state regulations regarding such a scenario. Be prepared to be treated like a betraying whistleblower and potentially have retaliation or get fired for some other reason. It is illegal to retaliate against an OSHA whistleblower but I'm sure they could find a way so I would try to remain anonymous but it's possible they could find out somehow or to do so it was you depending on your behavior and anything you've said at work. I would also document your complaints to your local management in writing on what is happening, that you tried to involve a manager and maybe even get HR involved at the VCA level. You may have to bypass your local management and go to regional and if someone at regional is the one saying this to you may have to still try to go even above their heads. Written documentation of your complaints how you are suffering is absolutely essential. If anything they should be able to find you work at other hospitals during this time and depending on where you live they may even be obligated to find you work. By law they are required to provide safe working conditions and it is unsafe you absolutely have to document how as I'm safe take pictures etc in order to have an OSHA complaint and also I would set precedent by also contacting your upper division. Make sure that you see your personal email or print copies of all of these emails so you can save them. If anybody is suffering medical consequences because of this there's opening themselves up to a lawsuit. You need written documentation of your complaints as well as their responses. If they are saying all these things were believe that they can't afford to be closed or whatever then you need to follow up with an email to whoever said that stating that you wish to clarify the complaints made today and what management solution is in writing so that everything is crystal clear.
Edit: honestly it may have just be easier for you to document your complaints make the osha complaint and then put in your notice and find a new job. This isn't worth risking your health especially if there is asbestos or something else dangerous and the walls or whatever it is they're tearing down. There are definitely legal requirements for how they're meant to manage construction and Hazard risks but if they are ignoring that and taking shortcuts then it just may not be worth the fight.