Professional studies - health and safety Flashcards
What are the duties of the employer?
Provision of a safe place of work/study
Procedures for imminent danger
Safety management system in place
Information, instruction, supervision and training
What are the duties of the employee?
Follow safety instructions
Do not damage/misuse safety equipment
Report any safety issues
What does Health and safety information for Employees Regulations 1989 require?
Requires employers to display the HSE approved law poster in the workplace
What does RIDDOR stand for?
Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
What type of incidents require reporting to HSE?
Fatal/major accidents
Accidents incurring absences from work of 7d or more
Dangerous Occurrences (near miss/ dangerous situations)
When should you evacuate a building?
Continuous alarm
When is a RIDDOR report required?
Only when the accident is work related and it results in an injury of a type which is reportable
What type of injury is a femoral fracture under RIDDOR?
Specified injury
What should happen for different types/lengths of incapacitation under RIDDOR?
Record if over three day incapacitation
Report if over seven day incapacitation
When do non-fatal accidents to non-workers have to be reported under RIDDOR?
When the accident results in an injury and the person is taken directly from the scene of the accident to hospital for treatment to that injury
What does Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences regulations (RIDDOR) require?
Requires employer to report serious accidents and occurrences directly to HSE
What are the four types of injury from electricity?
Electric shock
Electrical burns
Loss of muscle control
Thermal burns (where the equipment gets hot)
What strength of current will cause a person to have a jolt?
2.4mA
What strength of current is the ‘let go threshold’?
15mA
What strength of current will cause a person to have a serious shock?
24mA
What can higher strengths of electrical current (above 75-100mA) cause?
Ventricular tachycardia/ fibrillation - death
What can cause overloading of electrical appliances?
Daisy chaining extension leads
What medical device can be a health and safety hazard regarding electricity?
Electrical diathermy - cauteriser
What health and safety concerns can electrical diathermy cause?
Accidental burns Electrocution Surgical plume Ignition of VA Electrical interference with other medical devices
What is the voltage of the mains electricity supply?
240V
What is the ohms law?
Voltage (V) = Current (I) x Resistance (R)
What is the equation to work out the resistance?
Resistance = (length x resistivity) /area
What factors affect resistance in the body?
Physical size
Resistivity of the skin - lower when wet
Resistivity from organs
What occurs at the ‘let go threshold’?
Unable to let go Tonic contractions of muscles Tissue damage Contraction of respiratory muscles Asphyxia and hypoxaemia
What is the risk of ventricular fibrillation determined by?
The current density (as the electricity travels across the chest)
What heart device may cause an issue if there is a small current transmitted?
Central venous line - very long IV catheter that is placed so that it sits above the vena cava’s entrance
When are electrical burns more common?
Higher voltages
What hazard may occur when using a multiway adaptor?
Overload it and cause strain on the wall outlet and a fire
What is the maximum current output from any wall outlet in the UK?
13A
What is the name for the test that is done on appliances and what do they look like?
PAT test
Green and white sticker with a barcode and the date of the test
What legislation covers electrical testing?
Electricity at work regs 1989
What should be inspected visually before using equipment?
Splash sockets covers
Clipper casing
Cable wires
Plug casing
What is a diathermy machine?
A machine to cut tissue while cauterising the cut edges of the wound and/or apply it to bleeding areas to coagulate
How often should pressurised gases be serviced?
Legally required once a year
Recommended every 3 months
6 months is a good compromise
What is tested during testing of medical pressurised gas equipment?
Regulators Switch over mechanisms Pressure relief valves Line pressure Safety features
What should cylinders not be stored near?
Combustible material
Sources of heat
What is the Maximum legal Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of halothane?
10ppm
What is the Maximum legal Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of isoflurane?
50ppm
What is the Maximum legal Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of sevoflurane?
60ppm
What is the Maximum legal Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of nitrous oxide?
100ppm
What regulations do the Maximum legal Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) and regulations about waste gases come under?
COSHH - control of substances hazardous to health
What is the time weighting of the Maximum legal Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL)?
Over 8 hours average exposure
What are the hazards associated with exposure to waste anaesthetic gases?
Headache Irritability Fatigue Nausea Impaired judgement/coordination Liver/kidney disease
Who should be particularly careful around waste anaesthetic gases and where is the risk highest?
Pregnant staff - miscarriage and birth defects
Patient recovery areas - disconnected from scavaging
What are the two types of scavenging?
Active - using a pump of some sort to take the waste gases away
Passive - just relying on gas flow and no pump
What is essential in active scavenging system?
An airbrake - so gases arent sucked out of patient so they cant breathe
What do passive scavenging cannisters not absorb?
Nitrous oxide
What regs do hoists for lifting patients fall under?
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regs 1998
What do the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regs 1998 state?
Lifting equipment should be suitable for the job
It should be tested and inspected regularly by a competent person
Anyone using the equipment should have training and should be aware of the limitations of using this equipment.
How many work related ill health cases were there in 2019/2020?
1.6 million
How many work related stress/depression/anxiety cases were there in 2019/2020?
0.8 million
How many work related musculoskeletal disorder cases were there in 2019/2020?
0.5 million
How many workers sustained a non fatal injury in 2019/2020?
0.7 million
What was the annual cost of new cases of work related ill health in 2018/19?
10.6 billion
How many fatal injuries were there is 2019/2020?
111
What were the annual costs of workplace injury in 2018/19?
5.6 billion
How many lung disease deaths are there each year?
12,000
Overall how much does illness and injury cost annualy?
16.2 billion
What is the the procedure that should be undertaken when sending clinical samples to a lab?
Packaged in a primary receptacle containing specimen
Then in a leakproof secondary container
Then in an outer package with compliant markings
Sent by first class post/courier only
How should lab samples be sent?
Sent by first class post/courier only
What regs are lab samples under?
Postal Regulations UN3373
What are some hazards of handling samples and biological materials?
Patient may have zoonotic disease or undergoing treatment (cytotoxic drugs)
Who are the people at risk when handling samples?
Those packing/ transporting/receiving the samples - postal workers, couriers, lab workers
What are the two different types of waste?
Domestic - normal and confidential(paperwork) waste
Industrial
What counts as industrial waste?
Clinical waste - Syringes Needles Body parts Anything contaminated with any body fluids
How is industrial waste disposed of?
In yellow containers and incinerated by licensed company
What should you think about when assessing risk with a patient?
The location
The handler
Escape routes
Whether correct equipment is to hand
What is a hazard?
Anything that may cause harm
What is risk?
The chance that somebody could be harmed by these hazards and how seriously they could be harmed
What questions should be asked when assessing risk?
Who what where why when how
Identify the task/area/procedure
What are the 5 steps to a risk assessment?
Identify the Hazards
Who may be Harmed – Be generic to groups, visitors, pregnancy/diabetic.
Evaluate the Risk – Remove/minimise risks, use alternatives - method, product.
Record the findings – Must be suitable, sufficient & reasonable. Include the PPE
Review (and Revise if needed) at regular intervals or when a change is made.
What can affect how a task is performed according to the risk assessment?
If there an Approved Code Of Practice (ACOP) that applies then must adopt this
How can you score potential injury?
Numerical (Quantitative) score
Descriptive (Qualitative) score
What are the generic risk reduction measures?
Hazard elimination Substitution Barriers Procedures Warning systems PPE
When should PPE be used?
Used only when other methods are not possible and only a last resort
What are some hazards to pregnant women?
Zoonoses
Anaesthetic gases
Manual handling
Fatigue, slips, trips etc.
What does DSE stand for in health and safety?
Display screen equipment (workstation assessment)
What are some reasons to manage health and safety?
Moral
Financial - claims/insurance
Legal - Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Professional - duty of care
Who are the responsible bodies for H&S in the UK?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Who are The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sponsored by?
Department for Work and Pensions
Who work for The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)?
Inspectors who inspect businesses etc proactively as part of regular inspections and in the event of an incident
What can inspectors for the The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) do?
May gain access to a workplace at any time without a warrant
Employ the police to assist
May take equipment or materials from premises to assist investigations
Take measurements, photos, and samples, statements, records, and documents for investigation
What are the two types of law that are applicable to H&S?
Criminal (statutory) law
Civil law
What does criminal law cover?
covers crimes (more major) or offences (minor acts of law breaking)
What is the principle of criminal law?
The accused is initially presumed innocent and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt
What does civil law cover?
Disputes between individuals
The claimant is generally looking for compensation for the wrong that has been seen to be done
Where are criminal and civil law cases dealt with?
Criminal - crown court before a judge and a jury
Civil - county court in front of a magistrate
How can a death in the workplace be prosecuted?
Either manslaughter or murder
Why was the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 introduced?
To create a means of accountability for deaths caused by very serious management failings (gross breach of duty of care by senior management)
What is ‘strict liability’ (absolute duty) in the law?
In legislation this is usually signified by using the works ‘must’ and ‘shall’ do it
What is ‘practicable’ in the law?
If it can be done, it will be done with no option but to comply and will lead to prosecution if not done.
Some degree of ‘reason’ may be considered as well as ‘custom and practice’.
What is ‘reasonably practicable’ in the law?
There is a balanced analysis of cost / benefit and the outcome chosen is the best under the circumstances.
This needs to be recorded in writing (paper documents or electronically).
Some things have to be done even though they are risky
What are ACOPs (Approved Codes of Practice) for?
These are for high-risk activities, for example taking X-rays
What are SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for>
These are more dependent on local facilities and procedures of the specific workplace
What are the two forms of insurance that every business must hold?
Employer’s Liability
Public Liability
What is Employer’s Liability?
The legal liability to employees for death or injury
What is Public Liability?
The legal liability to third parties (i.e.: Clients, visitors, or members of the public) for death or injury or damage to their property
What insurance must veterinary practices hold as well as public and employers liability?
Professional Negligence Insurance
What is Professional Negligence Insurance?
The legal liability for breach or professional duty by reason of any negligent act or accidental error or omission in teaching, research, or consultancy
What is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in UK?
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Who are responsible for enforcing the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
The Health and Safety Executive
What are the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999?
How you manage H&S using the various regulations like PUWER (provision and use of work equipment regulations).
What regulation cover general fire safety?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Which part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 do vets primarily need to follow?
Section 2
What is in section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
Safe plant and systems of work
Safe handling, storage, maintenance, and transportation of (work) articles and substances
Information, instruction, training and supervision
Safe place of work with safe access and egress
Adequate welfare facilities
What should an induction process for new employees cover?
Role and responsibilities Emergency procedures Main hazards Risk assessments Local rules Safe systems of work
What duty do we have when we act as a supplier?
All suppliers and manufacturers must apply a general duty of care which is a Common law requirement.
They should supply suitable information to owners/ clients about medicines, equipment, zoonoses, etc.
They should ensure that any equipment supplied is safe and this means it needs to comply with CE
When must safety information be communicated in writing rather than verbally?
If the practice has five or more employees
What is the difference between Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and HASAWA 74?
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 set out clear responsibilities of employers and employees in greater detail than the HASAWA 74
The HASAWA 1974 sets out what employers and employees must do and the MHSWR 1999 gives details of how they do this
What does provision 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Risk assessments
Covers young people too
What does provision 4 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Principles of prevention to be applied
What does provision 5 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Employers to make appropriate arrangements given the nature and size of operations
What does provision 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Health surveillance
What does provision 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Competent person to be appointed by the management
What does provision 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Employers to establish procedures for serious and imminent danger including evacuation procedures
What does provision 10 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Employers to give comprehensive and relevant information on H&S risks Covers Reg 8 measures and identities of competent persons
What does provision 11 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Covers shared work places and the need to communicate and cooperate on H&S matters
What does provision 12 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
H&S information to supplied to employers and employees of outside businesses/undertakings of risk involved with working in your business
What does provision 13 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Employers to take capabilities into account when giving tasks/training
What does provision 14 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Employees are required to inform their employer of shortcomings in their H&S arrangements, and comply with instructions and training
What does provision 15 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
Temporary workers
What does provision 16 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 cover?
This covers new, nursing and expectant mothers - must inform employer in writing for this to apply
What does HALT stand for relating to ill health?
Hungry Angry Late/Lonely Tired Covers ill health
Under RIDDOR, what should practice staff do as soon as possible after an accident has occurred in a veterinary practice?
Complete an accident report form
