Biological Agents
Risk of:
- Infection e.g. Legionnaires' disease, CJD, Blood Borne Viral diseases.
Possible causes:
- Exposure to contaminated medical instruments e.g. via needlestick or sharp injury or contact with contaminated instruments.
- Mould growth due to high humidity levels.
- Environmental exposure via ventilation or water systems.
Chemical Agents
Risk of:
- Health effects such as respiratory problems, allergies or dermatitis.
- Fire.
- Explosion.
Possible causes:
Exposure to:
- Disinfectants and detergents.
- Dust and fibres.
- Ethylene oxide gas and mercury.
- Latex consumables.
- Nickel and chrome whilst handling or cleaning medical instruments.
- Use of flammable gases.
Lack of:
- Ventilation.
- Appropriate PPE.
Electricity
Risk of:
- Fire.
- Electrocution.
- Burns.
Possible causes:
- Equipment unsuitable for use in damp or wet environment.
- Contact of equipment with water.
- Faulty equipment.
- Overloading of sockets.
- Unsafe work practices.
Equipment
Risk of:
- Burns.
- Cuts.
- Explosion.
- Physical injury.
- Death.
Possible causes:
- Handling or sorting hot sterilised items or sharp instruments.
- Exposure to hot objects or steam during sterilisation.
- Lack of appropriate PPE such as gloves.
- Inadequate maintenance or inappropriate use of high pressure equipment such as autoclaves.
Ergonomic Hazards
Risk of:
- Pain in back, hands or arms.
Possible causes:
- Standing for long periods of time.
- Repetitive motions such as reaching or stretching.
- Bending over sinks.
- Poor workstation / computer design or set up.
Manual Handling
Risk of:
- Musculoskeletal disorders.
Possible causes:
- Carrying or lifting heavy loads.
- Pushing or pulling overloaded trolleys.
Noise
Risk of:
- Hearing damage or loss.
- Physiological effects.
- Work related stress.
- Increased risk of accidents.
Possible causes:
- Prolonged exposure to noisy equipment.
Non Ionising Radiation
Risk of:
- Heating / skin burns.
- Eye damage - cataracts.
Possible causes:
Sharps
Risk of:
Possible causes:
- Exposure to sharp items or equipment.
Slips,Trips & Falls
Risk of:
- Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.
Possible causes:
- Slippery or wet floors.
- Trailing cables.
- Poor housekeeping.
Temperature
Risk of:
Possible causes:
- High temperature and humidity.
- Heat from steam / hot water.
Wet Work
Risk of:
Possible causes:
- Handling and using aqueous solutions for long periods of time.
Further Information
For further information on related controls click here.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of hazards and risks.