Risk Assessment
Sheets 2015
Unit 3 Cole River Park, 285 Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2QX
Tel 0121 753 0550 Fax 0121 753 0552
Www.inspirehealthcare.co.uk
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA01
Risk Title : Accidents/Illness/Incidents
Inspire Healthcare Services have a duty to inform the authorities when employees suffer
from certain accidents or illnesses. In order to help IHS perform this duty we require the
following :
Always ;
Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and injuries or work related conditions to your
manager, at the first available opportunity.
Report all and any accidents /injuries to the contact on site, when carrying out work for IHS
on customers premises.
Ensure any injury is examined and treated if necessary by an appointed first aider.
Ensure all information pertaining to the incident is provided for the accident book.
Inform, immediately your manager should you suffer any after effects resulting from any
accident or injury.
Remember! To inform your manager of any injury or condition sustained outside of normal
working hours as this may affect your ability to perform your duty safely. This would
include being prescribed medication by your GP that in turn could affect your ability to drive
safely.
Emergency Procedures
Sharps injuries
In cases of injuries sustained by needles or other sharp objects;
-
remove the object and encourage to bleed
wash injury thoroughly with cold running water
attend the local hospital for further treatment and tests for and blood borne
infections
if you can, without causing further injury, take the object in a secure sharps
container, with you to the hospital
January 2015 RA01
Chemical splashes
In cases of injuries sustained by splashing of chemicals or other substances
-
wash with clean running water, the affected area
should the eye be affected wash with clean water or if available eye wash for at
least 15 minutes
remove immediately any contaminated clothing
if in any pain, or redness does not subside attend hospital for further treatment
January 2015 RA01
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA02
Risk Title : Toilet Seat Sanitizer
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazards :
Excessive skin contact with cleaning fluids
To ensure safety, the following precautions must be observed :
Always ;
If possible avoid direct skin contact with toilet seat sanitizer fluid
Wash your hands regularly to remove any residue
Securely store all cartridges on your vehicle and keep separate from any waste items
Ensure all lids are secure to prevent spillage or leakage
Ensure any spillages are cleaned up immediately
Ensure any problems with toilet seat sanitizer are to reported to the site contact and your
manager
January 2015 RA02
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA03
Risk Title : Sharps Units
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazards :
Infection from needlestick injuries
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed:
Always ;
Wear protective gloves when handling sharps containers
Ensure all cuts and abrasions are covered with waterproof plasters
Make sure hands are washed on a regular basis
Ensure lids are secure and all tops sealed
Ensure all units are correctly labelled with customer account details
Carry the sharps unit by the handle only
Store sharps units in segregated area of vehicle ensuring unit is secured properly
Report any problems relating to the sharps unit immediately
Seek treatment immediately if you receive an injury from a sharps object
Keep up to date with your vaccinations
Never ;
Unless specifically trained on relevant waste procedures, do not carry out sharps
collections
Mix sharps units with other waste or non waste items
Touch split sharps units, always use the spillage kit provided to collect damaged units
Collect sharps units in non-UN containers, in overflowing containers or any makeshift unit
January 2015 RA03
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA04
Risk Title : Servicing Sanitary/Clinical and Nappy Disposal Units
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazards : Injuries & illness from contact with contents of waste units
To ensure safety the following precautions should be followed:
Always ;
Wear gloves for the safe handling of sanitary/clinical and nappy units
Ensure all cuts and abrasions are covered with waterproof plasters
Make sure your hands are washed on a regular basis
Ensure all units are secure to prevent spillage
Ensure all liner bags have been correctly sealed for transportation
Carry liner bags by the neck and hold away from the body
Make sure that all sanitary and nappy waste is segregated from any other waste types
Inform immediately the site contact and your manager, if any any waste incorrectly stored
in units, such as needles and glass
Notify the site contact and your manager if units have been overfilled or are excessively
heavy
Follow correct procedure for handling waste liner bags
Never ;
service split waste or overfilled units by hand, use the protective equipment provided
January 2015 RA04
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA05
Risk Title : Air Freshener/Battery and mains operated
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazards :
Skin/eye contact with chemicals, dust or grit
Contact with electrical current
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Wear gloves for handling gels, sachets or liquids
Make sure hands are washed on a regular basis
Make sure you hold Aerosol away from face when in test mode
Use a step ladder for servicing equipment out of reach
Position ladders to give maximum ease for servicing, reducing the need for leaning or
reaching
Ensure any electrical supply has been turned off before commencing service on an
electrically operated air freshener
Wear goggles when servicing above eye level, ie: Gels, sachets and liquids
Report any problems to the site contact and your manager immediately
Never ;
Store aerosols in the front of your vehicle, they must always be kept in the back out of
sunlight
Try to repair any equipment unless fully trained to do so
Interfere with electric supply of the electrical air freshener
Carry batteries in your pockets
Stand on cupboards, shelves and sinks or any other fittings
January 2015 RA05
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA06
Risk Title : Soaps/Engineering Hand Cleaner/Barrier Cream
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazards :
Excessive contact with hand cleaners and slipping over on spills
To ensure safety the following precautions must be observed :
Always ;
Wash your hands regularly to remove hand cleaner residues
Store soaps, engineering hand creams and barrier creams securely away
from any waste items
Ensure lids on any containers in use are securely fastened
Clean any spillages of hand cleaner immediately
Ensure any problems with the hand cleaner dispensers are reported to the site contact and
your manager as soon as possible
Never ;
Attempt to repair any dispenser unless fully trained
January 2015 RA06
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA07
Risk Title : Service – Vending Machines
Personnel at Risk: Operative & Site Personnel
Hazard :
Insecure vending machines/ Loose covers
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Ensure that the machine is safely secured to the wall
Check that the correct type and number of fixings has been used
Report any damaged, Faulty or poorly maintained/installed machines immediately to the
site contact and your manager
Ensure the door is not obstructing your access when restocking, and when finished make
sure you have securely locked the machine
Keep stock separate from any waste
Never ;
Attempt to repair any machines unless fully trained to do so
January 2015 RA07
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA08
Risk Title : Hand Dryer servicing
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazards :
Electric shock
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Check for signs of damage and tampering
Report all damaged and faulty driers immediately to the site contact and your manager
Never ;
Attempt to repair any machines unless full trained to do so
January 2015 RA08
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA09
Risk Title : Dustmats – Servicing
Personnel at Risk: Operative & Site Personnel
Hazards :
Injuries from lifting/carrying
Injuries from fragments of metal and glass etc.
Contact with infectious spillages on mats
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Wear gloves for the safe handling of dirty mats
Keep cuts and scrapes covered with a plaster
Wash hands regularly
Check that mats have been laid correctly to avoid a trip hazard
Re-apply any anti-slip tape or secondary rubber backing after each service
For reasons of contamination (ie. Human/animal products) ensure that mats are placed in
bags /containers for transportation if contaminated
Report to the site contact and your service manager if mats have caused tripping so that
remedial action can be taken immediately
Load mats on vehicle taking into account servicing sequence
Use trolleys for removal of mats where provided
Follow correct procedure for lifting and carrying mats
Store mats separately to waste items on vehicle
Never ;
Attempt to remove a mat by tugging them from the bottom of the pile
Attempt to carry excessive quantities of mats
Leave mats in Door/stairways when servicing
January 2015 RA09
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA10
Risk Title :
Toilet/urinal sanitizers
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazard :
Skin/eye contact with sanitizing fluid
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Wash splashes thoroughly with clean water the affected area
Change clothes that have been contaminated
Wear eye/face protection when replacing cartridges or for refilling units that are at or above
eye level
Use the stepladders for units out of reach
Position ladders safely so you can easily reach the unit
Place cartridge in unit by pushing at edges, taking care not to squeeze in the middle
Take care not to overfill the Reservoirs on old style of units
Ensure all cartridges are stored safely on vehicle and lids have been secured to prevent
leakage, and keep away from any waste items
Report to the site contact and your manager if any difficulties are encountered
Never ;
Refill a sanitizer if you do not have a clear view – ask for the unit to be re-sited
Service an inaccessible unit sited behind panels – unless trained to do so using the correct
handling equipment
Service a sanitizer unless you have been fully trained
Stand on sinks, shelves or other fittings
January 2015 RA10
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA11
Risk Title :
Waste/liner bag collections
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazard :
Handling injuries
Infection from needlestick injuries and germs in waste
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Wear gloves when handling waste
Ensure all cuts and scrapes are covered with a waterproof plaster
Wash your hands regularly
Ensure all bags have been sealed correctly
Hold the bag by the neck only and keep away from the body
Be alert, in case needles or glass have been mistakenly placed in bags
Report immediately to the site contact and your manager any bags that are overfilled or
contain the wrong type of waste
Report any sharps injury immediately for treatment
Ensure that the waste bags are stored securely in the designated area on your vehicle
Follow the correct procedure for lifting and handling of heavy objects
Never ;
Store waste bags with other waste types
Store with non waste items
Collect any spilt waste by hand use spillage kit provided
Collect any waste that has been incorrectly packed
January 2015 RA11
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA12
Risk Title :
Installation/repair/uplift of non electrical equipment
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazard :
Eye injuries when drilling
Electrical cabling, water pipes in walls
Handling injuries
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Wear protective eye shields provided
When installing at height use the stepladder
Use only the cordless drill supplied, never a mains operated drill
Use only approved fittings, checking you have the correct items and quantities
To complete your work
Make sure you have spare drill bits and that they are the correct type
Check the walls for any hidden wiring or pipework with a cable detector before you begin
Ensure the you follow all instructions and product information as issued to you
Use trolley where possible to move equipment
Report to the site contact and your manger before you start installation – should you find
any difficulties report these immediately to your manager
Never ;
Install, repair or uplift any equipment unless you fully trained and qualified
Install an air freshener unit at low level to ensure the air freshener is not installed at face
level
Install air freshener or flammable products near to incandescent light bulbs and hot
surfaces
Use equipment you suspect may be faulty
Stand on sinks, cupboards, shelves or other fittings
January 2015 RA12
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA13
Risk Title : Stepladders
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazard :
Falling off due to over reaching/ over balancing
The stepladder slipping away
Feet slipping from rung
Missed footing
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Inspect stepladder regularly and before use for any signs of damage, any defects are to be
reported immediately
Ensure stepladder has level and firm footing
Ensure stepladders are positioned safely to avoid reaching, re-position when necessary to
prevent any accidents
Place stepladders forward facing in relation to the job in hand, otherwise they may become
unstable
Keep ladders clear of equipment
Make sure footwear is in good condition, check soles also check ladder for oil, grease,
mud, and water as these may cause accidents
Keep stepladders stored securely on van at all times to prevent damage
Never ;
Place a stepladder where it may cause an accident either by passing vehicles or people
Use a stepladder that is too short always ask for a 4/5 rung step ladder to be supplied
Stand on top of a stepladder
Stand a stepladder on an uneven surface, boxes or planks
January 2015 RA13
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA14
Risk Title : Waste segregation
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazard :
Leaks/spills/damage from incorrectly stored waste
Injury/illness from contact with incorrectly stored waste products
Contamination of non waste
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Store waste and non waste separately on vehicle
Store waste sacks in appointed storage area on vehicle, away from other products
Store sharps in appointed area on vehicle away from waste and other products
Keep the vehicle clean by washing inside and out on a regular basis
Report any problems immediately to your manager where waste segregation is concerned
Report any damage, spills or leakage to your manager where waste containers are
concerned
Never ;
Store waste and non waste items together
Under any circumstances store any waste products in the front of your vehicle
Under any circumstances store sharps units or waste sacks anywhere but in the
segregated area on the vehicle
January 2015 RA14
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA15
Risk Title : Company vehicles
Personnel at Risk: Operative
Hazard :
Involvement in an RTA
Contact with diesel , engine oil or lubricants
To ensure safety the following precautions must be followed :
Always ;
Follow the highway code
Report suspected vehicle faults and damage to your manager promptly
Wear seat belt at all times
Ensure good visibility by cleaning regularly your windscreens, mirrors and lights
Make sure your vehicle is safe by checking regularly the tyres, lights, oil and water levels
Where necessary wear your high visibility vest when kerbside loading and unloading, also
when site rules dictate
Make sure all loads are secured and evenly spread
Clean any oil or diesel spills immediately
Lock your vehicle, making sure never to leave keys in the vehicle and ensure any valuables
are out sight
Never ;
Use hand held mobile phones, eat or drink whilst driving
Carry any unauthorised passengers
Drive under the influence of drink, or drugs, or if on any medication that could affect your
concentration or reflexes – check with your doctor
January 2015 RA15
Risk Assessment Sheet : RA16
Risk Title : Manual Handling
Personnel at Risk: All Staff
Hazards: Injuries & illness from poor manual handling which cover the supporting or
moving of loads by bodily force
To ensure safety the following procedures should be followed:
Always:
Check;
.
.
.
.
.
The Task
The Load
The Area
The Direction
Condition/position
Do I know what to do?
How heavy is it? Can I handle it?
Is there room to move/lift?
Which way will I be going with the load?
Am I in the best position/condition to handle the load?
Ensure that you follow the general safe lifting rules.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Assess each load before attempting to lift it fully
Stand close to the unit with feet spread slightly apart
Bend/unlock the knees
Keep back straight, not curved
Ensure firm grip so the unit is held securely
Slowly straighten legs, then resume upright position – do not jerk
Hold the unit close to the body
To change direction move your feet – do not twist the back when handling
Overhead lifting of heavy containers should be avoided – lift moderate
weights to head height only
Never attempt to lift or move a load without following safe handling procedures
January 2015 RA16
Risk Assessment Sheets
Index
RA01 : Accidents/Illness/Incidents
RA02 : Toilet Seat Sanitizer
RA03 : Sharps Units
RA04 : Servicing Sanitary/Clinical and Nappy Units
RA05 : Air Freshener/Battery and Mains Operated
RA06 : Soaps/Engineering Hand Cleaner/Barrier Cream
RA07 : Service – Vending Machines
RA08 : Hand Dryer Servicing
RA09 : Dustmats Servicing
RA10 : Toilet/urinal Sanitizer
RA11 : Waste/Liner Bag Collections
RA12 : Installation/Repair/Uplift of Non Electrical Equipment
RA13 : Stepladders
RA14 : Waste Segregation
RA15 : Company Vehicles
RA16 : Manual Handling
Inspire Healthcare Services
January 2015