Spillages

Question 1

Water spillage

Answer 1

Before the area can be approached, if item is connected to main water supply this should be turned off to prevent more leakage. if there are electrical items in the spillage, the electrical supply must be turned off to prevent electrocution. a hazard sign must be placed to indicate to everyone there is a risk of trips or falls, this must not be removed until the area is dry again. To dry the area, water must be soaked up using paper towels, a mop & rolled up towels beside the spillage may be placed to contain if necessary. if the spillage occurred due to faulty equipment, this should not be used until is it replaced or repaired.

Question 2

Mercury spillage

Answer 2

If a larger mercury spillage, this must be handled by the Environmental Protection Agency for the long-term safety for all staff. if a smaller spillage has occurred which is contained, this can be handled ‘in house’ using mercury spillage kit:

1. Stop all work and report incident to the dentist
2. Wear full personal protective equipment
3. The Globules of mercury must be smeared with a mercury-absorbent paste containing equal parts of calcium hydroxide and flours of sulphate mixed with water
4. This should be left to dry removed with wet disposable towel which is disposed of in waste amalgam container
5. The area should be ventilated
6. a risk assessment be carried out to determine if protocols require any change.

Question 3

Bodily fluids

Answer 3

are usually concerning blood, vomit or urine + cross-infection is major risk in association.

1. Isolate the area, wear full PPE
2. Contain spillage with paper towels + use these to soak as much as possible. Disposal of these paper towels are placed inside infectious hazardous sack
3. The remaining spillage must be covered with fresh 1% solution of sodium hypochlorite, wiped up and disposed of as previously mentioned
4. Once all traces of bodily fluids been removed, clean area clean usual floor or surface detergent and leave to thoroughly dry.
5. Finally, ventilate the area to help with it drying and to remove any odours.

Question 4

Chemical spillage

Answer 4

processing chemicals + disinfectant spillages should be handled as wet spillage in that electrical supply may be disconnected, and a hazard sign placed as well as including the following:
1.Wear full PPE for both
2.Ventilate the area for both
3.For chemical, they should be poured into waste storage drums for spent processing chemicals.
4.For processing spillages, once it has been moped up clean the surface with common floor cleaning solution or detergent based solution
5.For disinfectant spillages, if bleach was involved, this is best cleaned over with water-based solution so that slippery surface if prevented whilst drying
Products can be disposed of as non-infectious hazardous waste as long as mercury not involved.