Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 1-1-2003 Occupational hazards and radiation safety in veterinary practice including zoo veterinary practice in Australia Joseph S. Jeyaretnam Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Other Veterinary Medicine Commons Recommended Citation Jeyaretnam, J. S. (2003). Occupational hazards and radiation safety in veterinary practice including zoo veterinary practice in Australia. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1306 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1306 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. 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Jeyaretnam B.V.Sc., B.Sc.A.H., M.Sc.A.H., M.Sc.O.H.S A Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Doctor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Computing, Health and Sciences Edith Cowan University, Western Australia July, 2003 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: ( 1) incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; (2) contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text; or (3) contain any defamatory material. Signed: ... Date: .. i J. :.. f?. .1.t. J,.o.o ~ ii ABSTRACT This thesis contains reviews and research on the occupational hazards of zoo veterinary practitioners in Australia. Although occupational hazards have long been recognised in the veterinary profession, little information is available on the number and magnitude of injuries to veterinarians in Australia, the United Kingdom or the United States. Apart from anecdotal accounts and some limited data, most of the available information is on occupational zoonoses, generally well recognized by veterinarians. Other occupational hazards to which veterinarians are exposed have received scant attention. The veterinary practitioner in a zoo environment has to treat a range of captive wild species which are much more unpredictable and dangerous than domesticated animals. A comprehensive study on occupational hazards sustained by veterinarians in zoological gardens has not been undertaken in Australia. Only one study had been undertaken in the US amongst zoo veterinarians, while comprehensive may not be able to be transposed to zoos in Australia as the species held in Australian zoos differ from those in the US. Personal communication with some senior veterinarians in the zoological gardens in Australia, have elicited further information on the prevalence of occupational hazards sustained by the zoo and wildlife park veterinarians. The prevalence of physical hazards including radiation, chemical and biological hazards reported by veterinary practitioners and the author's own experience as a veterinary practitioner, chairman of the safety committee, member of the animal ethics committee and manager, research in the zoological gardens in Perth, Western Australia have iv demonstrated a need for a comprehensive study on occupational hazards prevalent among zoo veterinarians. To investigate the occupational hazards including radiological hazards amongst zoo veterinarians in Australia, a self-administered 14-page comprehensive questionnaire comprising 58 questions was mailed to 27 practising zoo veterinarians in Australia. The questionnaire focused on physical injuries, chemical exposures, allergic and irritant reactions, biological exposures, radiological hazards including problems encountered with x-ray machines, use of protective gear and ancillary equipment for radiography, personnel involved in x-ray procedures and in restraining animals, compliance with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Code of Practice ( 1982), Radiation Safety Regulations ( 1988) and National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionising Radiation (1995)' The result of the study revealed that 60% of the participants sustained physical injuries such as crushes, bites and scratches inflicted by a range of species with some injuries requiring medical treatment. Also, 50% of the participants suffered from back injuries while 15% reported fractures, kicks, bites necessitating hospitalization. Ninety percent of the participants sustained needlestick injuries ranging from one to 16+ times. Other significant findings include: necropsy injuries, animal allergies, formaldehyde exposure, musculoskeletal injuries and zoonotic infections. The survey also identified that veterinary practitioners and their staff were exposed to radiation by not complying with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Ionising Radiation (1982) which has been framed V to minimize exposure to ionising radiation. The majority of the veterinarians in the study group indicated that radiation exposure is a major occupational hazard to the veterinary profession. Subsequent to the review and research, discussions were held with few senior zoo veterinarians, the Registrar of the Veterinary Surgeons Board and a number of practising senior veterinarians in Australia to collect information on occupational hazards. Additional information was obtained on occupational injuries sustained by the zoo veterinarians through formal discussions with the Director and the two senior veterinarians in the zoological gardens in Sri Lanka. The discussions with the veterinary practitioners in government and private practice revealed that veterinarians experienced a range of occupational hazards including exposure to rabies. Discussions with the dean and the professor of the animal science department focused on the nature of injuries and preventive strategies. In order to obtain information on occupational hazards in the health care industry, the professor of anatomy of the faculty of medicine and a senior surgeon in Sri Lanka were interviewed. This study identified that the zoo veterinarians are routinely exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards. The literature review among veterinary practitioners in US, UK, Australia and Canada have also identified numerous occupational hazards sustained by the veterinarians. The discussions held in Sri Lanka with the professionals in veterinary and health care industry showed that occupational injuries have been common amongst them and they do not have appropriate preventive guidelines in place. This thesis has incorporated recommendations in the form of preventive strategies for minimizing occupational hazards among veterinary practitioners both vi in zoological gardens and veterinary practices in Australia and in the developed and developing countries. vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my indebtedness and gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Milos Nedved, for his generous support, excellent supervision, dedication and warm friendship which made this study a worthwhile experience. I am grateful to my co-supervisor, Professor Andrew Thompson for his inspiration, encouragement and support for my research and to Associate Professor Mark Hackling of the Graduate school for providing me with professional guidance and helpful comments on the proposal of this study. I would like to express my appreciation to Professor Linda Kristjanson for her inspiration and advise for my research. I am greatly indebted to Dr Janis Jansz for reading the final manuscript and providing me with valuable constructive feedback. I appreciate her untiring and invaluable assistance in completing my thesis. I am grateful to Mr Chris White for assisting me with the analysis of the data. The following people contributed greatly to the development and completion of this research. I wish to acknowledge my appreciation and indebtedness to them: Dr. Andy Keefe, Registrar, Veterinary surgeons Board of Western Australia for providing me with valuable information and advice. Mr. Colin Jacob, former officer of the Radiation Section, Western Australia for his assistance on radiological issues. viii Dr. Cree Monahan, Veterinary Surgeon, Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia for assisting with the pilot testing of the questionnaire and for providing advice. Dr.