- Hazards associated with samples or materials.
- Who might be at risk?
- Procedures that should be in place to reduce risk of harm.
- Patient may have a zoonotic disease.
Patient may be undergoing treatment with cytotoxic drugs. - Those packing/transporting the samples.
Lab workers handling the samples. - State zoonoses or cytotoxic drug use boldly and clearly on sample container, packaging and request form.
Samples should be transported according to regulations.
Sending blood sample from healthy juvenile patient for genetic screening test to the lab…
Packing Instruction 650.
First Class Post / courier only.
Primary receptacle containing specimen (blood tube).
Leakproof secondary container (+absorbent material).
Outer packaging w/ compliant markings (+cushioning material).
- What is waste management controlled by?
- 3 categories of waste.
- What waste categories would be seen in practice?
- Law and Local Authority Regulations.
- Domestic, Commercial, Industrial.
- Domestic:
– Normal waste disposal considerations i.e. recycling and minimising what goes to landfill.
– Confidential waste e.g. paper and computer hardware. Data protection issues in disposal.
Industrial:
– Clinical waste.
– Sharps in special clinical waste tubs.
– Non-sharps in yellow sacks.
– Incineration (by licensed company) = preferred disposal method for both.
Microwave safety.
Subject to all the usual electrical safety checks.
Do not put anything in a microwave that could explode e.g. metallic, unable to vent pressure, heated for too long.
Watch the temperature of item being microwaved to avoid patient burns w/ over hot heating pads / hot hands, and avoid food burning patients – stir and stand as necessary.
Safety features of centrifuge.
Ensure samples are correctly placed in centrifuge and in correct sized tubes.
Securely fasten top (inner and outer lid dept on model).
Modern centrifuges won’t let you open the lid until centrifuge stopped moving, but not some older models.
- What PPE is recommended for dental procedures?
- What PPE may be required in indoor kennels or indoor piggeries?
- What is required for the handling of larger spp e.g. horses and cattle?
- What is PPE is advisable around horses especially?
- Masks and eye protection.
- Ear defenders.
- Steel toecap boots or shoes.
- Crash cap.
Explain the difference between a hazard and a risk.
Hazard = anything that may cause harm e.g. chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, open drawer.
Risk = the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.
When gaining informed consent from clients, what should be discussed in terms of risk?
Harm that could be caused by a hazard and the risk of this. And how the risk of a hazard causing harm could be reduced.
Why are risk assessments used in vet practice?
Every UK employer legally required to protect their workforce and customer.
Vet practices must comply with the law.
H+S underpins all areas of vet practice management; minimum requirements are set out in RCVS code to professional conduct and RCVS practice standards scheme.
‘Clinical governance is a continuing process of reflection, analysis and improvement in professional practice for the benefit of the animal patient and the client owner.’
- What do you first need to identify when outlining a risk assessment? – and what questions could be used to identify this?
- Task / area / procedure.
– Who?, when?, what?, where?, why?, how?
For who section of task / area / procedure.
- Who will perform the task?
– experience.
What training do they have?
– student, trainees, young people, qualified.
Fit for the job?
– Recent injuries? pregnancy?
Who is going to be affected by the process?
– Duty Of Care (DOC) to Staff / Owners / Visitors.
*Vet bears responsibility (DOC) as professional.
What might be an issue if a procedure needs to be performed at night?
Reduced lighting
Tiredness
Concentration (lack of)
Limited staff complement (less help available).
May be working alone (lone working policy?)
When describing what the task to be performed is, what needs to be produced?
Statement which clearly defines task.
May need to break this down into parts if necessary (a journey through the process).
What questions need to be asked in the where section?
Where is the task to be performed?
– inside? outside? confined space? (permit to work required?)
Any additional risk factors?
– other concurrent activities? Still safe?
Task performed at more than one location?
– risk factors different at different locations?
Questions to be asked in the how section?
How is the task to be performed?
Are there better ways of doing the job?
Is there an Approved Code Of Practice (ACOP) that applies?
– if so, must follow this.
Questions to ask on why section.
Why is the task being performed?
Is there an alternative?
5 steps to risk assessment.
- Identify the hazards – ignore the trivial.
- Who may be harmed – generic to groups, visitors, pregnancy/diabetic.
- Evaluate the risk – remove/minimise risks, use alternative – method, product.
- Record findings – suitable, sufficient and reasonable. Incl. PPE.
- Review (and revise if needed) at regular intervals or when change is made.
General risk reduction measures.
Hazard elimination
- use of alternatives, design improvements, change of process.
Substitution
- replacement of one chemical or process with another.
Barriers
- Isolation = problem in a box.
- Segregation = worker in a box.
Procedures
- Safe systems of work.
- Exposure limitation.
Warnings systems
- signs, instructions, labels.
Personal protective equipment
- used only when other methods are not suitable.
- a last resort.
Questions to ask in step 5 (regular review).
Is the risk factor the same as when originally assessed?
Are the staffing levels the same?
Are there improved techniques that reduce risk?
Is there any feedback from staff about the procedure / process?
Hazards or risks that are of importance in a pregnancy risk assessment?
Zoonosis e.g. TB in camelids, Hep. E is endemic in pigs.
Anaesthetic gases.
Manual handling.
Fatigue, slips, trips, falls etc.
Hazards and risks of Display Screen Equipment?
Posture compromised.
Back ache.
Neck ache.
