GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT
SECTION 1 HAZARD
IDENTIFICATION
Department
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Date of Assessment
19. June 2003, revised 26/7/04
Area/Plant/Equipment
Tissue Culture B (class 2 laboratory) (TCB) for
human work.
Tissue Culture A or C for animal work.
Name and Signature of Assessor (or team)
Dr. M. Laudes, Dr. M. Soos, Dr S. Gray
Task/Activity/Operation
Task Reference No.
34
Primary §human and animal cell culture
HAZARD
WHO COULD BE
HARMED(e.g.
public, operator)
Operator, other
people working in
TCB
Numbers of people
likely to be harmed
Nature of Harm
2 operators, less
than 10 others
infection
Hazard
Reference
No.
A
Injury with sharp
items
mainly operator
2
injury, infection
A,B
Collagenase
Operator
2
ulceration
C
Allergens from
animal tissues
Operator
Others in area
1
<10
Allergenic reaction
D
Infection
(HIV, HBV, HCV)
§ A NEW RISK ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED IF HUMAN TISSUE 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 &3 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Infection
Reference No.
A, B
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.
Description
Vaccination
Class 2 hood
class 2 room
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
y
By who &
When
People using
TCB
y
Operator
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Training
Standard
operating
procedures
for Tissue
culture in
class 2
y
In case of
contact which
might result in
infection seek
medical
advice
People using
TCB
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Gloves
Lab-coats
Centrifuge
only in
buckets with
closed lids,
incineration of
waste
y
y
Operator
People using
TCB
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 &3 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
injury
Reference No.
B
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.
Description
Avoid use of
Use blades
sharps if
only with
possible, if
handles
unavoidable
If possible
take care
use szissors
Are they
y
y
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
By who &
When
Operator
Operator
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Training
y
Personal
protective
equipment
Other
Disposal in
special bins
immediately
y
In case of
contact seek
medical
advice
Operator
Operator
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 &3 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
ulceration
Reference No.
C
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.
Description
Avoid contact Class 2 hood
with eyes
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
y
By who &
When
Operator
y
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Training
y
Personal
protective
equipment
If handled
outside the
hood, glasses
should be
worn, gloves
y
In case of
contact seek
medical
advice
Operator
Operator
Operator
Other
SECTION 2 – RISK EVALUATION
Note: Section 2 &3 must be completed for each hazard identified in Section 1
Hazard from section 1
Allergenic response from animal tissue
Reference No.
D
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 source Engineering
(intrinsic)
controls
(guards, local
exhaust ventIllation etc.
Description
Tissue is brought Vial is only
into department
opened in
in a capped vial,
tissue culture
completely
hood.
covered by
medium.
There is no
dander/hair/urine.
Are they
Adequate
Additional
Measures
Required
By who &
When
Operator
Operator
Procedural
controls
(inc. training
and
supervision)
Personal
protective
equipment
Gloves
Lab coat
Operator
Other
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