Hidden Harm: Quantifying occupational injury under-reporting in veterinary workplaces through modified capture-recapture analysis.

Veterinary occupational injuries are severely under-reported at 69%, necessitating improved reporting systems.

This UK study investigated occupational injury under-reporting in veterinary workplaces using modified capture-recapture analysis comparing accident audit records with staff survey data. Researchers found an alarming 68.9% overall under-reporting rate, meaning approximately 69 injuries remain unreported for every 100 workplace incidents. Companion animal practices demonstrated higher under-reporting (70.0%) compared to large animal practices (56.4%). Common injuries in companion animal settings included clinical examination-related injuries (28.2%), falls/slips/trips (11.2%), drug administration incidents (10.4%), and needlestick/surgical sharps injuries (6.1%). The study identified significant limitations including inability to link survey responses to audit records due to anonymity requirements and the assumption of single injuries per person annually, likely underestimating true injury frequencies. The authors conclude that widespread injury under-reporting in UK veterinary practices obscures the true incidence and context of occupational injuries. Recommendations focus on strengthening safety culture through improved reporting mechanisms, enhanced training, leadership engagement, and visible organizational responses to incidents.

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