GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT
SECTION 1 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Department
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Date of Assessment
18/8/03
Area/Plant/Equipment
Laboratories
Name and Signature of Assessor (or team)
Maria Soos
Task/Activity/Operation
Handling of human blood/plasma/serum from a
LOW RISK population* §
Task Reference No.
36
HAZARD
WHO COULD BE
HARMED(e.g.
public, operator)***
Numbers of people Nature of Harm
likely to be harmed
Hazard
Reference
No.
HIV, Hep B and Hep C
viruses (and other
unknown viruses)
Operator (mainly)
Others nearby
1
<10
Potential for infection
(AIDS, liver disease)
36a
Generation of aerosols
(eg expulsion of liquid
from pipette,
centrifugation)
Sharps injury from
instruments
Operator (mainly)
Others nearby
1
<10
Inhalation of droplets
(potential for infection)
36b
Operator (mainly)
1
Others if safe practice is <10
not observed
Cuts, needle-stick
injury
Potential for infection
36c
Broken tubes including
specimen tubes,
centrifuge tubes
Operator (mainly)
1
Others if safe practice is <10
not observed
Cuts
Potential for infection
36d
Leaking tubes/Spillage- Operator (mainly)
1
during lab work
Others if safe practice is <10
not observed
Potential for infection
36e
Leaking tubesreceiving/opening
packages
Potential for infection
36f
Office staff
3
Operator (mainly)
1
Others if safe practice is <10
not observed
***SEE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS ,SECTION 3
*Prevalance of Hep B/HIV is approx 0.1% and Hep C approx 2% (but less infective) in a low risk
UK population.
§ A NEW RISK ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED IF BLOOD/PLASMA/SERUM IS
FROM A HIGH RISK POPULATION OR AN INDIVIDUAL KNOWN TO BE +VE FOR HIV OR
HEP B/C.
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Infection
Reference No.
36a-f
Make an assessment without taking into account current control measures (subjective)
RISK = Probability of Harm X
hurt)
PROBABILITY
1
2
X
3
Most Likely Severity (will increase if large numbers will be
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SEVERITY OF HARM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
RISK LEVEL
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
30
CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES
Type
Control at
Engineering
source
controls
(intrinsic)
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Vaccination
(Hep
Description
B only)
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
Y
By who &
When
Operator
(mandatory)
Other lab workers
(optional
Y
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Training
Good laboratory
practice
(especially
washing hands on
leaving lab and no
eating, drinking,
mouth pipetting)
Lab-coat
Cover any
cuts/grazes with
waterproof
dressing
Gloves
Goggles where
splashes are
possible.
Y
Y
Take care not to
generate
aerosols. Do not
use glass
centrifuge tubes.
Rinse pipettes
with 2% Virkon
before
incineration.
Incinerate all
waste blood.
Y
Operator
Operator
But seek medical
advice in case of
contact which
might result in
infection
See appended
‘Emergency
procedures’
Supervisor
Operator
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Generation of aerosols
Reference No.
36b
Make an assessment without taking into account current control measures (subjective)
RISK = Probability of Harm X
hurt)
PROBABILITY
1
2
X
3
Most Likely Severity (will increase if large numbers will be
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SEVERITY OF HARM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
RISK LEVEL
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
30
CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES
Type
Control at
Engineering
source
controls
(intrinsic)
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Only
use
Description
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Training
Lab-coat
Gloves
Cover any
cuts/grazes with
waterproof
dressing
Goggles where
splashes are
possible.
Y
Y
Take great care
when expelling
liquid from
pipettes/syringes
not to create
aerosols.
Only vortex/
shake tubes with
lids securely
tightened.
Y
Supervisor
Operator
Operator
Operator
polypropylene (or
similar) centrifuge
tubes (not glass)
with leak-proof
lids in sealed
buckets.
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
Y
By who &
When
Operator
Y
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Sharps injury
Reference No.
36c
Make an assessment without taking into account current control measures (subjective)
RISK = Probability of Harm X
hurt)
PROBABILITY
1
2
X
3
Most Likely Severity (will increase if large numbers will be
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SEVERITY OF HARM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
RISK LEVEL
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
30
CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES
Type
Control at
Engineering
source
controls
(intrinsic)
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Avoid use of
Description
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Training
Lab-coat
Gloves should
be worn but will
NOT protect
against sharps
injury.
Cover any
cuts/grazes with
waterproof
dressing
Never resheath
needles.
Do not remove
used needles
from syringe.
Dispose sharps
immediately into
dedicated sharps
bins. Do not
overfill.
Y
Y
Y
sharps, glass
pastettes etc
where possible.
If unavoidable
take great care.
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
Y
By who &
When
Operator
Y
But seek medical
advice in case of
contact which
might result in
infection.
See appended
“Emergency
procedures’
Supervisor
Operator
Operator
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Broken tubes
Reference No.
36d
Make an assessment without taking into account current control measures (subjective)
RISK = Probability of Harm X
hurt)
PROBABILITY
1
2
X
3
Most Likely Severity (will increase if large numbers will be
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SEVERITY OF HARM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
RISK LEVEL
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
30
CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES
Type
Control at
Engineering
source
controls
(intrinsic)
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Only
use
Description
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Training
Lab-coat
Gloves (but will
NOT protect
against cuts)
Cover any
cuts/grazes with
waterproof
dressing
Y
Y
Use forceps to
pick up broken
glass/plastic.
Place in sharps
box for
incineration.
Clean up spills
with 1-2% Virkon.
Clean and
disinfectant
centrifuge
buckets and rotor
if contaminated
Y
polypropylene (or
similar) tubes
(not glass) with
leak-proof lids
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
Y
By who &
When
Operator
Y
Operator
But seek medical
advice in case of
contact which
might result in
infection.
See appended
‘Emergency
Procedures’
Supervisor
Operator
But see
appended
‘Emergency
Procedures’
Operator
Operator
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Leaking tubes/Spillage-during lab work
Reference No.
36e
Make an assessment without taking into account current control measures (subjective)
RISK = Probability of Harm X
hurt)
PROBABILITY
1
2
X
3
Most Likely Severity (will increase if large numbers will be
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SEVERITY OF HARM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
RISK LEVEL
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
30
CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES
Type
Control at
Engineering
source
controls
(intrinsic)
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Use
only
tubes
Description
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Training
Lab-coat
Gloves
Cover any
cuts/grazes with
waterproof
dressing
Work over spill
tray.
Immediately
clean up spills
using 2% Virkon
or Virkon
powder as
appropriate.
Y
Y
Y
with leak-proof
lids.
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
Y
By who &
When
Operator
Y
But see
appended
‘Emergency
procedures’
Supervisor
Operator
Operator
Operator
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Leaking tubes-receiving/opening packages
Reference No.
36f
Make an assessment without taking into account current control measures (subjective)
RISK = Probability of Harm X
hurt)
PROBABILITY
1
2
X
3
Most Likely Severity (will increase if large numbers will be
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SEVERITY OF HARM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
RISK LEVEL
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
30
CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES
Type
Control at
Engineering
source
controls
(intrinsic)
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Check
packages
Description
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Training
Lab-coat
Gloves
Cover any
cuts/grazes with
waterproof
dressing
Office staff
should let lab
workers know
immediately if
leaking blood
tubes are
suspected.
Care should be
taken to limit
spread of active
leaks.
for possible
leakage before
opening.
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
Y
By who &
When
Office staff
Operator
Y
Y
Office staff must
wear gloves
when handling
packages if
there are any
signs of leakage.
Y
Y
But see
appended
‘Emergency
procedures’
Supervisor
Operator
Office staff
Operator
Office staff
Office staff
Operator
SECTION 3,SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. After carrying out the assessment and assuming adequate training, is this task one that
can be carried out by a lone worker?
This decision is one made by a group leader, please state their name and answer.
Group leader name : Prof. S. O’Rahilly
Answer:YES
2. Are there any special considerations for other groups of workers e.g Pregnant and new
mothers, young people, cleaners etc. that you have not considered in your main
assessment? If so, please make a comment below.
Hep B immunisation is mandatory for those working with human blood/other body
fluids/tissues.
It is recommended that ALL members of the department (including office workers) and
cleaners are immunised against Hep B.
Immunocompromised workers should consult Occupational Health.
SECTION 4- REVIEW
Circumstances for Review
Default Date review
Appendix 1 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Splashes
 Skin: wash immediately with lots of soap and water
 Eyes: wash immediately with cold water or saline from a sterile eye wash bottle
 Mouth: rinse quickly and thoroughly with cold water
 Call a first aider
 Inform your supervisor/main office
Needlestick and Sharps Injuries
 Immediately wash the wound well with soap (or skin antiseptic) and running water (at
least 5 min). Make it bleed if you can.
 Cover with a waterproof dressing
 Contact a First Aider
 Contact the University Occupational Health Department (36590/36597) preferably
straight away and at least within 48 hours for advice or treatment (OH is open Mon-Fri
8.30 am-5.00 pm)
 If Occupational Health Staff are not available, contact the duty virologist at
Addenbrooke’s Hospital (151-57022/151-57030)
 If the needle/sharp has been used, retain a sample of the blood/tissue to test for Hep B/
HIV if necessary
 Inform your supervisor/main office
 Complete an accident form
Spillages (including broken tubes, leaking tubes)
 Wear gloves
 Use forceps (not fingers!) to pick up broken glass/plastic and place in plastic sharps
container for disposal by incineration
 Clean up any blood (or other biohazardous) spills immediately by covering with Virkon
Powder, leaving 30 mins. Then sweep into a suitable container (strong plastic bag/box)
using strong paper towels/card etc (not dustpan and brush). Dispose in clinical waste
bag for incineration.
 Disinfect area with 1% Virkon.
 Inform your supervisor/main office
Broken tube in the centrifuge
 Switch off centrifuge, allow it to rest for a few minutes.
 Wear gloves
 Use forceps (not fingers!) to pick up broken glass/plastic and place in plastic sharps
container for disposal by incineration
 Clean up any blood (or other biohazardous) spills immediately with Virkon (powder or 2%
solution as appropriate)
 Soak plastic centrifuge buckets in 1% Virkon for 10mins. Soak metal buckets in 1-3%
Neutracon for 2-24h (in SO lab -see manufacturer’s instructions). If buckets are
autoclavable, autoclave them after cleaning as above, otherwise disinfect with 70%
alcohol. Disinfect rotor with 70% alcohol.
 Inform your supervisor/main office