19.07.07 Health and safety

Question 1

Health and safety policy is required for what

Answer 1

Accreditation. Also a legal requirement.

Question 2

What is the Health and safety executive (HSE)

Answer 2

A national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness.

Question 3

Aims of HSE

Answer 3

To reduce work-related death and serious injury.

Question 4

What H&S policy applies to genetic labs

Answer 4

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Question 5

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Answer 5

Legislation that affects the management of health and safety. Provides basic framework to ensure health and safety of employees in any work activity.

Question 6

Duties outlined in Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 act

Answer 6

-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.

Question 7

When does an employer not have to take measures for health and safety

Answer 7

If technically impossible or if the time, trouble, cost of measures are grossly disproportionate to the risk.

Question 8

Other H&S policies

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

What is The workplace, (Health, Safety and Welfare) regulations 1992

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) regulations 1992

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

What is The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What is a hazard

Answer 12

Something with the potential to cause harm, including ill health as well as injury.

Question 13

What is risk

Answer 13

The likelihood of that hazard actually causing harm during the course of work activities.

Question 14

What does COSHH stand for

Answer 14

Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health

Question 15

What is COSHH

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Examples of COSHH guidelines

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What does RIDDOR stand for

Answer 17

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

Question 18

What is RIDDOR

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What does REACH stand for

Answer 19

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals

Question 20

What is REACH

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What does ACDP stand for

Answer 21

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens

Question 22

What does ACDP do

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Revised Advice on Laboratory Containment Measures for work with Tissue Samples in Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratories: list main points

Answer 23

• 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.

Question 24

Which UKAS ISO standard is for H&S in medical labs

Answer 24

ISO 15190 (ISO 15189 does include aspects of H&S)

Question 25

What does ISO 15190 include

Answer 25

• 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.

Question 26

How can risks be reduced

Answer 26

• Substitution
• Containment
• Use of personal protective measures and equipment.

Question 27

What does the H&S policy include

Answer 27

How H&S will be managed in the lab

Question 28

How often should risk assessments be performed

Answer 28

-Regularly and when new equipment/reagents/procedures are introduced.

Question 29

Steps of a risk assessment

Answer 29

• 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

Question 30

What are chemical safety data sheets

Answer 30

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.