Health and safety

Question 1

Define personal protective equipment

Answer 1

Equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks at work, such as gloves, eye protection or gowns

Question 2

What is occupational health?

Answer 2

Promotion and maintenance of the physical, mental and social well-being of workers

Question 3

What is biosafety?

Answer 3

Measures taken to reduce or eliminate exposure of individuals and the environment to potentially hazardous biological agents

Question 4

What is biosecurity?

Answer 4

Measures taken to prevent the introduction or spread of disease

Question 5

What are the 3 types of non-hazardous waste?

Answer 5

1. Offensive waste: veterinary waste other than sharps that is not hazardous but which is unpleasant and may cause offence to the senses
2. Pharmaceutical waste: waste which contains medicinal drugs that are expired, unused, contaminated, damaged or no longer needed
3. Domestic rubbish

Question 6

What type of waste is placed in a yellow/black bin and where is it disposed?

Answer 6

Offensive - Non-hazardous waste

Disposed of in landfill or an authorised facility

Question 7

Which types of waste require incineration?

Answer 7

1. Cytotoxic
2. Sharps contaminated with cytotoxic medicines
3. High infectious waste
4. Sharps contaminated with non-cytotoxic medicines
5. Pharmaceutical waste

Question 8

What type of waste is placed in an orange bin and where is it disposed?

Answer 8

Infectious waste and Sharps contaminated with blood/bodily fluids
- treated in an autoclave or disinfected

Question 9

What colour bin is used for cytotoxic and sharps contaminated with cytotoxic waste?

Answer 9

Purple

Question 10

What is the role of the Health and safety at work act 1974?

Answer 10

• Covers occupational health and safety

- Highlights the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety of their employees

Question 11

Which key legislation covers the requirement of employers to protect individuals from substances in veterinary practices?

Answer 11

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) 2002

Question 12

A part of an employers responsibility is reducing the risk of incidence and injuries, how can this be achieved?

Answer 12

By undertaking a risk assessment

Question 13

Define a hazard

Answer 13

Something which may cause harm such as a chemical, radiation or sharps

Question 14

Define a risk

Answer 14

The chance, high or low, that a hazard will cause harm, plus an indication of how serious the harm could be

Question 15

What are the 5 main aspects to consider when constructing a risk assessment?

Answer 15

1. identify the hazards
2. decide who may be harmed and how
3. evaluate the associated risk and decide on precautions
4. record your significant findings
5. review and update if necessary