Theatre

Risk of:

• Infection.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) via puncture wounds or cuts from scalpels, blades, suture and injection needles, cutting devices, bone fragments or via splashes to mucous membranes.
• Exposure to microorganisms in laser plumes.

Risk of:

• Health hazards such as respiratory problems, allergies and dermatitis.
• Fire.
• Explosion.
• Burns.

Possible causes:

• Improper handling of compressed gases.

Exposure to:

• Latex consumables.
• Smoke plumes from laser or electrosurgical units.
• Waste anaesthetic gases (enflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, desfulrane, halothane) due to patient exhalation, poor gas connections or poor maintenance of scavenging system.
• Methyl methacrylamide during bone surgery.
• Disinfectants.
• Cryogenic agents during cryosurgical procedures.
• Hazardous drugs via inhalation or during injection or administration.

Risk of:

• Pain in neck, back or arms.
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpel tunnel syndrome.
• Fatigue.

Possible causes:

• Static, awkward postures or sustained postures e.g. forward bent head and neck.
• Poorly designed tools.
• Use of high grip forces.
• Standing for long periods of time, holding limbs, wearing heavy lead aprons.
• Lack of height adjustable work surfaces.
• Poorly designed transport trolleys and storage areas e.g. shelving above shoulder height.
• Lack of job rotation.

Risk of:

• Fire.
• Electric shock.
• Burns.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Faulty equipment.
• Improperly grounded equipment.
• Overloading of sockets.
• Unsafe work practices.
• Equipment unsuitable for the work environment.
• Electrical leads crossing areas where fluids pool or contact with saline based irrigation.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Smoke inhalation.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Use of lasers, electrosurgical or electrocautery equipment.
• Use of fibre optic lights sources and cables.
• Spark production from high speed drills, lasers and electrosurgical units.
• Presence of oxygen enriched environment - oxygen, nitrous oxide, trapping of oxygen under surgical drapes.
• Presence of flammable materials and alcohol based prepping agents.
• Failure to put laser into standby mode when not in use.
• Unmaintained equipment.

Risk of:

• Genetic or reproductive damage.

Possible causes:

• Exposure whilst carrying out X-rays, treatments using radioactive implantations, after loading or administration of radioactive therapeutic agents.
• Carrying out emergency procedures on patients who have received therapeutic amounts of radionuclides.
• Lack of PPE.
• Lack of warning signs e.g. on entrance to room.

Risk of:

• Back injury, sprains and strains.

Possible causes:

• Lack of mechanical handling equipment.
• Improper lifting technique or over exertion.
• Lifting heavy sets / instrument trays, infusion and irrigation fluids.
• Supporting static loads.
• Use of high grip forces in awkward positions.
• Lifting, transferring and repositioning sedated and anaesthetised patients.

Risk of:

• Eye damage / visual problems.
• Skin burns.
• Respiratory problems.
• Fire.
• Electric shock.
• Physical injury.
• Nausea, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue.

Possible causes:

• Improper connection and handling of diathermy equipment.
• Lack of shielding / failure to block beams or stray reflections.
• Failure to wear eye protection or follow safe systems of work.
• Inadequate training.
• Lack of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).
• Laser beams not kept away from flammable liquids, gases and vapours.

Exposure to:

• Chemical hazards in laser plumes such as nanoparticles, dusts, and vapours during excision and cauterisation of tissues.
• Microwaves or radio-frequency radiation when performing diathermy surgery.
• Magnetic fields and medical ultrasound.
• Reflected or directly transmitted laser beams.

Risk of:

• Infection.
• Cuts.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to sharp medical instruments, broken bone fragments, glass from motor vehicle collision patients or needle sticks.
• Handling and passing by hand, instruments, blades, sutures and scissors.

Risk of:

• Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

• Wet or slippery floors.
• Debris on floor.
• Inappropriately placed electric cables.
• Rushing in emergency situations.
• Loose medical tubing, loose cords and cables.

Risk of:

• Psychological disorders.
• Health effects.

Possible causes:

• Attending to severely traumatised patients.
• Coping with multiple disaster victims.
• Making life or death decisions.

Risk of:

• Adverse health effects.

Possible causes:

• Use of poorly designed or maintained bone drills / saws.

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