SECTION SEVEN
GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENTS
7.
INTRODUCTION
Health and Safety Risk Assessments are required for many work related
activities including and especially where there is a risk or potential risk of
infection. This section contains Generic Risk Assessments which can be
adapted for common tasks undertaken within Social Care settings.
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
*
Review Date:
/
/
Date Reviewed:
/
/
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
3
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.1 – Handling & Disposal of Waste
*
Generic Risk Assessment
for
Handling and Disposal of Waste
including :-
Follow Standard Precautions and departmental policy contained in
Infectious Diseases and Health Care Guidance Notes
Staff should be taught the *correct segregation of waste – basic hygiene and infection
control including dealing with body fluids and incontinence management. Care workers
should be made aware of the particular system used within their work setting as
procedures may vary depending upon facilities and staffing levels.

Incontinence pads

Risk of infection transferred through :-

Colostomy Bags
1.
Inhalation by aerosol droplets in the air
e.g. contaminated water.


Waste containing body fluids/
potentially pathogenic organisms
2.


Chemical toilet contents
Blood to blood contact through e.g. cut
in contact with contaminated dressings
or sharps.
Waste bags must always be securely fastened and deposited in appropriate
bins, to minimise the chances of accident and infection. All bins to be of British
Standard, to ensure they are strong enough to withstand frequent use*.
Implement effective hand washing using 6 steps technique*, after handling
waste.

Sharps (syringe needles/glass)

Wear appropriate, suitable protective clothing - disposable gloves, aprons and
eye goggles/mask, if appropriate to task undertaken.

Ensure that staff wear suitable gloves (preferably non-latex and appropriate for
skin type).

Wear a waterproof dressing on wounds at all times.

Cover broken skin such as eczema or rashes with gloves or suitable
clothing/dressing.
3.
Swallowing/accidental ingestion through
hand to mouth transfer e.g. from
splashes to face or while eating if do not
wash hands properly etc.
4.
Direct contact with body fluids/waste on
to skin, hands etc.

Increased risk of infection from contact
with body fluid/ waste if handlers have
existing wound.
H

Risk of skin irritation from direct contact
with substances in chemical toilet.
H

Ensure relevant COSHH assessments have been undertaken, and data sheets
are available, for chemicals used in connection with chemical toilets.

Risk of back and other upper body
strain/ injury through incorrect manual
handling techniques, or the size and
weight of a chemical toilet/waste bags.
M

Employ correct Moving and Handling techniques equipment/facilities and/or
enlist the help of other people.

Risk of needle stick injury or similar from
sharps.
H
Be vigilant and take extreme care with sharps. Follow correct procedures* for
handling and disposal of sharps.

Review Date:
/
H
/
Date Reviewed:
/
/
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
4
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.2 – Use & Disposal of Sharps
*
Generic Risk Assessment
for
Use and Disposal of Sharps
Follow Universal Precautions and departmental policy contained
in
Infectious Diseases and Health Care Guidance Notes
What are sharps?

Needles

Scalpels

Broken glass

Razor blades

Possibility of cross contamination of infectious
diseases from contaminated
sharps.
H

Possibility of needle stick or
similar injury. Sharp instruments
can cause injury to service users
and staff.
H
If contaminated with infected
blood, sharps injuries can cause
the transmission of blood-borne
viruses such as Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C and HIV.
H

Any other item which may cause
laceration or skin puncture and which
may have been contaminated with
blood from another individual.
Review Date:

/
/
Date Reviewed:
/
/

Sharps, once used or when found, must always be placed into a designated
sharps box - at the point of use. In an emergency use a solid container (e.g. a
sealed glass jar).

The container used for the disposal of any sharps must comply with European and
British Standards BS 7320:1990 and UN 3291 for sharps containers and/or be of a
type approved in accordance with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of
Transportable Receptacles Regulations 1996.

Syringes/cartridges should be disposed of intact.

Sharps boxes should be labelled with the name of the establishment prior to
disposal and must be stored in a safe place away from unauthorised people.

Sharps must not be passed directly from hand to hand. Handling should be kept to
a minimum.

Bent or broken needles must not be used.

Needles must NOT be re-sheathed.

Consider the possibility of hidden sharps such as needles and razors when
carrying out your work. Wear protective equipment and look before touching.

Lock the used sharps container when ready for disposal, when the marked line
has been reached, or at intervals specified by procedures.

Always carry sharps containers by the handle.

DO NOT dispose of contaminated sharps in routine waste.

Do not fill sharps container above the manufacturer’s marked line.
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
5
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.3 – Laundry Activities
*

Generic Risk Assessment
for
Laundry Activities

Handling / Carrying Laundry


Washing & Drying Laundry


Storing Laundry
/
/
Laundry must be handled, transported and processed in such a manner that prevents skin
and mucous membrane exposure to staff, contamination of their clothing and the
environment and the infection of service users.




Increased risk of infection from
contact with laundry and/or body
fluid/waste if handlers have
existing wound.
H



Risk of needle stick injury or
similar from hidden sharps
within laundry.
H


Risk of back or upper body
strain through incorrect manual
handling techniques, or the size
and weight of laundry load.
H



Risk of skin irritation from
contact with cleaning/laundry
chemicals used.
M/L
Mixing clean and soiled laundry
can introduce risk of cross –
contamination (by passing
infection from soiled/used
laundry to clean laundry).
Date Reviewed:
Follow Standard Precautions and departmental policy contained in
Infectious Diseases and Health Care Guidance Notes
H
1) Blood to blood contact through
e.g. cut in contact with contaminated
laundry or sharps.
2) Swallowing/accidental ingestion through
hand to mouth transfer e.g. from
splashes to face; while eating if do not
wash hands properly.
3) Direct contact with body fluids/waste on
to skin, hands etc. from laundry.
4) Inhalation by aerosol droplets in the air
from laundry.
N.B.
For the purposes of Infection Control all USED laundry
is assumed to be infectious
Review Date:
Risk of infection e.g. Hepatitis,
MRSA, Influenza etc. through :-
/
H
/









Staff should be trained in infection control practices* and to observe Standard
Precautions, as set out in the above publication*.
Wear appropriate, suitable protective clothing - disposable gloves (preferably nonlatex and appropriate for skin type), aprons and eye goggles or mask, if
appropriate, to task undertaken.
Be vigilant and take extreme care with sharps. Follow correct procedures* for
handling and disposal of sharps.
Wear waterproof dressings on wounds at all times and/or wear appropriate
protective clothing on top of the wound covering.
Cover broken skin such as eczema or rashes with gloves or suitable clothing or
dressing.
Employ the correct Moving and Handling techniques/equipment/facilities and/or
enlist the help of other people.
Sort laundry into type and category; bagging laundry at the point of use, and take
extra care when dealing with heavily soiled laundry.
Linen bags/containers must be securely fastened and not allowed to form an
obstruction/trip hazard in walkways - to minimise risks of accident and infection.
Implement effective hand washing using 6 steps technique*, especially after
handling heavily soiled laundry.
Sluice if laundry is heavily soiled (see separate risk assessment).
Wash laundry on complete, full, cycles. Where laundry has been heavily soiled use
a pre -wash (10 minutes minimum) and then full cycle.
Correct washing to garments’ label directions. Where possible wash laundry at
65˚C or above.
Don’t overload the washing machine or tumble dryer. (see separate risk
assessments for use of washing machines and tumble dryers).
Ensure laundry is dried as soon as possible after washing.
Never keep or place clean and soiled laundry in close proximity.
Completed laundry to be returned quickly to service user/storage area.
Maintain clean/clear filters on equipment.
In laundry rooms the ventilation/air flow to be from clean to dirty areas.
Have a cleaning schedule and complete as stipulated.
Undertake COSHH risk assessments on all washing/cleaning chemicals.
Keep an active (ongoing) risk assessment.
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
6
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.4 – Using Washing Machines
*
Generic Risk Assessment for
Using Washing Machines
Follow Standard Precautions and departmental policy contained in
Infectious Diseases and Health Care Guidance Notes
N.B.
For the purposes of Infection Control all USED /
SOILED laundry is assumed to be infectious


Laundry must be handled, transported and processed in such a manner that prevents skin
and mucous membrane exposure to staff, contamination of their clothing and the
environment and the infection of service users.
Possibility of crosscontamination from mixing and
handling used / soiled and clean
laundry.
H

Potential of back or upper body
strain caused by bending to load
clothing into, or removing from,
the machine.
H/M
Potential for back or upper body
strain caused by the weight,
shape or size of laundry being
loaded or removed from the
machine.
H/M

Potential for slips caused by
water on the floor.
M/L

Potential for electrocution and
fire.

Risk of skin irritation from
chemicals used.








Review Date:
/
/
Date Reviewed:
M




M/L

/
/
It is important to limit the amount of laundry loaded into the machine to small
manageable loads because after washing it will be heavier due to the water
content.
Mop up any spillages immediately and cordon off the area using hazard signs until
the floor is dry.
Wear suitable protective footwear.
If a load is more than half or beyond that of the machine’s capacity then effective
control of infected loads cannot be guaranteed.
Care must be taken to ensure that at no time does clean laundry come into contact
with used / soiled laundry.
The person handling the used / soiled laundry should use suitable protective
gloves (preferably non-latex and appropriate for skin type).
Gloves should be changed so that the same gloves are not worn for both used /
soiled and clean laundry.
Person undertaking this task may need to consider using a seat fitted with wheels
so that bending is kept to an absolute minimum.
Person using the machine to undertake training in Moving and Handling of loads.
Check that cables and plugs are in good condition and the machine is electrotested annually by an approved contractor.
If the machine is found to be faulty in any way, do not use it until it has been either
repaired or replaced.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions for use and ensure that everyone who uses
the machine knows how to do so correctly.
Undertake COSHH risk assessments on all washing/cleaning chemicals.
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
7
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.5 - Sluicing
*

Generic Risk Assessment
for
Sluicing
H
Risk of infection transferred
through :-
Follow Standard Precautions and departmental policy contained in
Infectious Diseases and Health Care Guidance Notes
1. Blood to blood contact through e.g. cut
in contact with contaminated water,
fluids/waste.
2. Swallowing/accidental ingestion
through hand to mouth transfer e.g.
from splashes to face or while eating
if do not wash hands properly.

Wear appropriate protective clothing* (preferably disposable) i.e. apron, gloves,
goggles or complete transparent face mask. NB Implement cleaning of face masks
and goggles after each use.

Cover existing wounds with waterproof dressing, then wear suitable protective
clothing on top of that.

Cover broken skin such as eczema or rashes with gloves or a suitable dressing or
clothing.
4. Inhalation of aerosol droplets in the air
from contaminated water, fluids/waste.

Implement effective hand washing using 6 steps technique*.

Carry out sluicing in isolation or only in the presence of other suitably dressed and
protected persons.

Wear suitable footwear.

Ensure a safe working area, mop up any spillages immediately and remove trip
hazards.

Ensure relevant COSHH assessments have been undertaken and data sheets are
available for chemicals used in connection with sluice activities.

Ensure that service users are kept away from the soiled area.

Ensure that no clean laundry is in close proximity to the sluicing area or placed in
an area where it can be splashed.

Employ correct Moving and Handling techniques, facilities, equipment and/or enlist
the help of other people.


/
Wherever possible avoid manual sluicing and minimise handling at all times.
3. Direct contact with body via
contaminated water fluids/waste on to
skin hands etc.

Review Date:

/
Increased risk of infection from
contact with body fluid/ waste if
handlers have existing wound.
H
Risk of cross contamination from
aerosol or splashes on to clean
laundry and/or surrounding
environment.
H
Risk of injury from slipping due
to spillage of body fluids/waste
onto the floor.
M

Risk of skin irritation from direct
contact with chemicals used in
sluicing area.
M/L

Risk of back and other upper
body strain/injury through
incorrect manual handling
techniques, or the size and
weight of equipment.
Date Reviewed:
M/L
/
/
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
8
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.6 – Using a Tumble Dryer
*
Generic Risk Assessment for
Using a Tumble Dryer
Review Date:
/
/

Potential for electrocution or fire.
M

Potential for burns.
L

Inhalation of lint.
L

Position of the machine causing
an obstruction.
L

Possibility of slips, trips and
falls.

Possibility of back and upper
body strain.
Date Reviewed:

Check that cables and plugs are in a good condition and have the tumble dryer
electro-tested annually by an approved contractor.

If the machine is found to be faulty in any way, do not use it until it has been either
repaired or replaced.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions for use and ensure that everyone that uses
the machine knows how to do so correctly.

Regularly remove excess lint from the filters - if the tumble dryer is in constant use
it may become hot and lint created by the drying process may overheat, smoulder
or even catch fire. For this reason it is necessary to have the appropriate fire
fighting equipment available at all times. (N.B. In addition to the above, excess lint
may affect the efficiency of the machine and the speed and level of heat applied to
the laundry which is part of the necessary disinfection process of laundering where
potentially infected fabrics are being laundered).

Be aware that the metal surfaces of the machine may get hot after constant use,
therefore the appropriate protective clothing may need to be worn.

Use the machine in a well ventilated area to allow the lint and steam produced in
the drying process to dissipate.

Position the machine so that it cannot cause an obstruction, particularly of fire
exits.

If the machine is not hard wired ensure that there are no trailing leads that can be
tripped over, by plugging it into the nearest socket.

Mop up any spillage of water immediately and keep the area around the machine
dry and free from obstructions such as clothes baskets etc.

Follow Manual Handling and Basic Back Care Principles particularly when bending
to load or empty the machine. Remember that wet clothing is heavy, so restrict
the load to a manageable amount.
M/L
H/M
/
/
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
9
Name:
Location:
Activity
Date:
Hazard
(Remember – the potential to harm)
Signed Manager:
Risk
LMH
Control Measure
(what can be done?)
(can you eliminate the hazard?)
7.7 – Wearing Jewellery in the Workplace
*
Wearing Jewellery in Care Service settings

Jewellery, particularly
necklaces, bracelets, brooches,
watches (wrist or fob), large
earrings and facial jewellery, i.e.
nose rings, being grabbed
causing injury to the wearer.
M

Jewellery can be a source of
infection as it can harbour dirt
and/or infections.
M

Jewellery worn by staff/
volunteers, for example rings
with stones, may cut or scratch
service users, particularly whilst
staff carry out personal care
services. The elderly/frail and
young children are particularly
susceptible as they have fragile
and soft skin.

Review Date:
/
/
DO NOT wear any type of jewellery that may be grabbed or snatched at and take
care with the positioning of fob watches so as not to cause harm to the service
user.

Kitchen staff are forbidden, as a rule, to wear any jewellery including watches,
whilst preparing food: with the possible exception of plain band-type ring. The
only facial jewellery permitted is a small stud (without stones) which must be safely
secured. Permitted jewellery must be safely secured to avoid physical
contamination – see UNIFORM AND DRESS GUIDANCE FOR KITCHEN STAFF
in the good food guide for details.

No jewellery that may cause harm in anyway to be worn by care staff.

It may be necessary to tape over rings/studs to secure them and prevent them
from causing harm.

Body piercing jewellery must either be removed or covered by clothing before
commencing work.
M
Jewellery such as rings with
stones may puncture and ruin
the integrity of disposable
gloves.
Date Reviewed:

H
/
/
Signed Manager:
NB - Risk rating will be determined by the circumstances and environment. DO NOT assume that the generic risk rating is suitable for your situation.
10