Health and Safety

Question 1

Aims of health and safety?

Answer 1

To ensure we live in a safe environment that maintains our health and doesn’t deteriorate it

Question 2

Risk vs hazard?

Answer 2

Risk - the likelihood of causing harm

Hazard - has the potential to cause harm

Question 3

Risk assessments?

Answer 3

For any potentially hazardous procedure
Ensures risks are properly managed

5 steps

• identify hazards
• identify who could be harmed
• identity measure already in place
• identify severity and further actions
• implement new measures and review regularly

Question 4

Risks at Veterinary practice?

Impact?

Answer 4

Equipment faults/damage 
Sharps 
Equipment in consultation rooms
Animal restraint - risk of attack
Drugs and hazardous environment 
Animals can't observe a risk

Lose staff - working overworked
Lose clients
Injury, insurance and legal costs

Question 5

Health and safety Applied in practice?

Answer 5

Legislations
Policies
Risk assessments
Control measures 
Training and responsibilities 
Safety signs and signal
Actions to take 
First aid and welfare facilities 
Reporting and recording

Question 6

Ill health and risk?

Answer 6

Pre-existing conditions can be made worse by

• animal hair
• aerosols and disinfectants
• upsetting situations
• inappropriate handling
• lifting
• exposure to zoonic infections

Question 7

Health and Safety at Work Act

Year? Summary?

Answer 7

1974

Main legislation which applies to all businesses. It outlines practice information as well as sets out duties and responsibilities

Equipment needs to be maintained with regular checks by servicing companies
Must supply all necessary PPE
Practice manager has overall responsibility

Question 8

Responsibilities of employees?

Answer 8

Take reasonable care of themselves and others

Respect Safety rules and report potential hazards

Not interfere with interest of health, safety and welfare

Keep up with tetanus booster and other relevant vaccinations

Question 9

RIDDOR?

Year? Summary?

Answer 9

2013

Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurance Regulations

All accidents must be recorded in a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) accident book
Serious events must also be reported to the HSE

Question 10

RIDDOR categories?

Answer 10

Specified injuries or fatal accidents

Dangerous occurances and near misses

Accidents resulting in absence from work

• 3 days after = reported
• 10 days after = reported

Question 11

Near miss reporting systems

Answer 11

Near miss = an incident/unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness or damage but had the potential to do so

Should be reported in incident book.
Should then be analysed to allow for improvement. Should be a one off

Question 12

COSHH

Year? Summary?

Answer 12

2002

Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health

Management of risks associated with hazardous substances. Includes information of all pharmaceutical products and chemicals as well as assessments and precautions

Question 13

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Year? Summary?

Answer 13

2006

Fire action involves basic training to understand risks and what actions should be undertaken in the event of a fire

• raising the alarm
• appropriate extinguisher use
• hose points
• exit routes/assembly points
• instructions during surgery

Protocols often say to protect selves before patients but will be something in place for them

Question 14

Fire hazards in practice?

Answer 14

Oxygen cylinders
Pressurised air cylinders
Volatile liquids
Naked flames (eg bunsen burners)
Dryers
Cooking equipment 
Electrical equipment

Question 15

Pregnancy and risk?

Answer 15

Foetus are susceptible to harmful effects of radiation

Pregnant more susceptible to lifting and manual handling injuries

Some drugs can be harmful to foetus

Anaesthetic agents can cause miscarriages

Zoonic diseases can halm foetus

Question 16

Age and risk?

Answer 16

Children

• animal inflicted injuries
• handling equipment, instruments, drugs
• susceptible to radiation

Young

• less experienced in handling
• less physically able to lift
• not aware of need to follow procedures and legislations

Elderly

• more susceptible to lifting injuries
• more susceptible to infection

Question 17

Manual Handling Operations Regulations

Year? Summary?

Answer 17

1992

All manual handling activities should be avoided when practical to do so.
Measures and controls should be in place where possible 
Use aids (eg. Hoists, drag mats, stretcher)

Question 18

Lifting and lowering loads?

Answer 18

Ability may increase with technique training

Ability may decrease by ill health and/or environment

Injury risk increases as weight increases

Injury risk increases with incorrect handling
- twisting, reaching, repetitive task, not bending knees

Question 19

Gas cylinders?

Answer 19

Mist dangerous manual handling tasks - heavy and awkward

Never lift by valve/protective cap

Use purpose built trolley

• Tilt the body and route the cylinder to place in trolley
• Should have securing bars

When stored they must always be secured to a wall in upright position