19.07.07 Health and safety Flashcards
Health and safety policy is required for what
Accreditation. Also a legal requirement.
What is the Health and safety executive (HSE)
A national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness.
Aims of HSE
To reduce work-related death and serious injury.
What H&S policy applies to genetic labs
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Legislation that affects the management of health and safety. Provides basic framework to ensure health and safety of employees in any work activity.
Duties outlined in Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 act
-Maintenance of workplace
-Absence of risk from handling, storage and transport of goods.
-Provide instruction, training and information
-Provide adequate ventilation
-Building is fit for purpose.
As far as is reasonably practicable.
When does an employer not have to take measures for health and safety
If technically impossible or if the time, trouble, cost of measures are grossly disproportionate to the risk.
Other H&S policies
- The workplace, (Health, Safety and Welfare) regulations 1992
- The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) regulations 1992
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
What is The workplace, (Health, Safety and Welfare) regulations 1992
Regulations that deal with the physical conditions of the workplace and require employers to meet minimal standards. E.g. maintenance of building/equipment, provision of drinking water, temperature, lighting, ventilation, toilets, first aid etc.
What is The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) regulations 1992
- Regulations that oblige employers to assess the workstations of staff who use display screen equipment.
- Ensure they meet a minimum standard, provide training and instruction on using DSE (including hazards), offer free eye checks
What is The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Employers must carry out risk assessments to eliminate or reduce risk.
- More explicit instructions for what employers are required to do to manage health and safety under health and safety at work act.
- Examples: write H&S policy, assess risks, emergency procedures, report incidents to HSE, ensure welfare requirements are met (ventilation, temp, light), provide PPE
What is a hazard
Something with the potential to cause harm, including ill health as well as injury.
What is risk
The likelihood of that hazard actually causing harm during the course of work activities.
What does COSHH stand for
Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health
What is COSHH
A law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. Outlines how you can prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances.
Examples of COSHH guidelines
- What are the hazards
- Risk assessment
- Provide control measures to reduce harm to health, make sure they are used
- Provide instruction, training and information to employees and others
- Provide health surveillance and monitoring
- Plan for emergencies
What does RIDDOR stand for
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
What is RIDDOR
A law that requires employers (and others with responsibility for H&S in a work place) to report and keep records of deaths, injuries/incapacitation (over 7 days) workers, non-fatal accidents to non-workers, occupational diseases, near miss events, gas incidents.
What does REACH stand for
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals
What is REACH
A law for controlling chemicals in Europe. Requires supplies of dangerous chemicals to:
- Identify hazards from the chemical
- Give info about hazard to customer (on packaging or safety data sheet)
- Package chemical safely.
What does ACDP stand for
Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
What does ACDP do
Advises HSE and government (DoH, Dep of Environment, food and rural affairs) on all aspects of hazards and risks to workers and others from exposure to pathogens.
Revised Advice on Laboratory Containment Measures for work with Tissue Samples in Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratories: list main points
- Work undertaken at containment level 2+ due to risk of contamination from blood borne viruses.
- PPE should be appropriate to task.
- Bench surfaces and equipment should be disinfected after use
- Immunisation of lab staff with HBV vaccine and follow-up procedures.
Which UKAS ISO standard is for H&S in medical labs
ISO 15190 (ISO 15189 does include aspects of H&S)
What does ISO 15190 include
- Requirements to establish and maintain a safe working environment in a medical lab.
- Examples: There is a named person ultimately responsible, employees take personal responsibility for their own safety and safety of others, staff training, safety manual, reporting of incidents, providing PPE, safe work practices, fire precautions, waste disposal.
How can risks be reduced
- Substitution
- Containment
- Use of personal protective measures and equipment.
What does the H&S policy include
How H&S will be managed in the lab
How often should risk assessments be performed
-Regularly and when new equipment/reagents/procedures are introduced.
Steps of a risk assessment
- Identify hazard
- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate risks, what are the precautions
- Record findings and implement them
- Review and update if required
What are chemical safety data sheets
Provide information on chemical products and help users to make risk assessments. Describe the hazards, give info on handling, storage and emergency measures in case of accident.
