Unit 302 Flashcards
Health and safety at work act legislation 1974
Protects staff and patients/visitors from potential hazards at work.
What is a risk?
A hazard that may cause harm.
Who is the health and safety at work act regulated by?
HSE health and safety executive
What does the HSE do?
Provides guidance to employers and investigates when any serious incidents occur in any workplace.
Who are the healthcare regulators throughout the UK:
England - CQC
wales - HIW
Scotland - HIS
northern Ireland - RQIA
What is a health and safety policy?
It states the practices health and safety procedures and the name of the person responsible - all staff must be provided with a copy.
Why would a dental nurse be appointed as safety representative under the act?
To improve co-operation within the practice about health and safety matters.
What are the 2 regulations that support the trainee dental nurses welfare?
- health and safety (young persons) regulations 1997
- management of health and safety at work regulations 1999
What will the HSE want to see during a practice inspection….
written evidence of safety checks, certifications, working policies and protocols.
What is a protocol?
Written draft of terms agreed to and signed by all parties as a code of conduct within the workplace.
Standard operating procedures SOP are…
All protocols together
The risk assessment minimises risks, it does not eliminate them.
Steps involved in a risk assessment:
- identify hazard
- identify who may be harmed
- evaluate
- control
- record
- review
If common -sense actions in relation to risks have not been followed out who is to blame?
The employer
If the health and safety act is not followed by a member of staff what will happen/
Investigation and prosecution by the HSE
Fitness to practice hearing by the GDC
Advice and guidance on risk assessments are from who?
HSE and BDA
What does COSHH stand for?
Control of substances hazardous to health
Why are COSHH assessments carried out?
To see which chemicals and potentially hazardous substances could harm or injure staff members.
A written COSHH report must include:
every potential chemical hazard found
Hazardous substance symbol is presented as…
Diamond shaped white and black pictogram with a red border and a warning phrase beneath.
Steps of the COSHH risk assessment procedure:
- identify what is hazardous
- identify who may be harmed
- identify how
-evaluate
-determine if it may affect health - control
-inform staff - record
List the 4 known chemical hazards in a dental practice:
- mercury exposure
- acid etchant
- sodium hypochlorite and other disinfectants
- nitrous oxide exposure
Ideal storage temperature required is…
20`c or cooler - usually cooler for mercury storage
Larger cylinders should be secured in an:
Upright position
A trolley should be available for moving heavy cylinders.
are units that use recycled air allowed in a dental practice?
NO
suitable ventilation in a dental practice:
- windows open
- use of extractor fans
Why is ventilation essential in a dental practice?
To prevent the accumulation of hazardous vapour`s and gases and to minimise the risk of them.
Is mercury toxic?
Yes
Inhalation of mercury…
toxic vapours are released at room temperature and above.
Absorption of mercury…
particles can be absorbed through the skin, nails, eye and eventually be lodged in the kidneys.
Ingestion of mercury….
Particles can contaminate food and drink and be taken into the digestive system.
When was the use of amalgam on children under 15 and deciduous teeth banned and pregnant women?
July 2018
How to avoid inhalation of mercury?
ventilation, cool temperature, amalgam waste pots, capsulated amalgam, PPE
How to avoid absorption of mercury?
PPE, no open toed shoes, safety goggles, gloves, masks.
How to avoid ingestion of mercury?
food n drink should not be consumed in a dental setting, stocks of mercury and waste amalgam not stored near staff or surgeries.
Spillages of mercury should be reported to who and where?
Senior dentist and in the accident book.
what does mercury form into after a spillage?
liquid globules or small balls.
if a Small mercury spillage occurs what do you do?
suck up small globules using a dedicated bulb aspirator or disposable plastic syringe.
If a large mercury spillage occurs what do you do?
Report and use the mercury spillage kit.
What can acid etchant do to soft tissues?
chemical burns as it is acid.
What to do when handling acid etchant…
Wear PPE
prevent etch going near soft tissues use of Rubber dam
Very careful aspiration
What is sodium hypochlorite?
Bleach
Bleach is a chemical irritant to soft tissues.
What should be worn when handling bleach?
PPE, fresh solutions made daily
what should be worn when handling all disinfectants?
PPE
what can disinfectants do to a human?
irritate skin, airway, eyes, and sometimes severe allergic reactions.
Waste management is what HTM?
HTM07-01
What does the universal colour coding system do?
enables everyone to be aware of the contents in various containers used to collect and store waste.