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Science in Shorts

Veterinary staff may encounter a range of potential health hazards during their routine work, including ionising radiation, anaesthetic gases, zoonotic diseases and aggressive patients. Many of these factors may be of particular concern to women due to their effects on fertility and during pregnancy. The authors carried out a comprehensive literature search to identify publications addressing hazards to female reproductive health in the veterinary workplace, to evaluate and summarise recommendations on minimising risk, and identify gaps in current knowledge. They point out that the demographic trends within the veterinary industry will expose increasing numbers of women of child-bearing age to these various health hazards. They conclude that while further investigations are needed into various aspects of occupational health and safety, enough is known already to justify an increased focus on mitigating these hazards. They propose that veterinary staff should receive greater training at the beginning of their careers in recognising hazards and responding appropriately. The goal, they say, must be to develop a safety-focussed work culture in veterinary practice.