Risk of exposure of laboratory staff to biological agents
Since the publication of our safety notice last year, HSE has continued receiving a high number of Dangerous Occurrences reported under RIDDOR from diagnostic laboratories.
Communication failures of relevant clinical information to laboratories are leading to the exposure of laboratory staff to high hazard biological agents.
With this in mind, please consider the content of the safety notice below and take the necessary actions, including raising awareness of this issue to relevant clinical teams.
Safety notice: risk of exposure of laboratory staff to biological agentsOriginally issued: 11 November 2024Workers at laboratories are being put at risk of infection because of missing information on specimen request forms If specimen request forms do not provide sufficient clinical information, then laboratory staff cannot identify the appropriate safety measures they need to apply to control exposure and possible infection. For example, specimens considered likely to contain Hazard Group 3 pathogens requiring propagation or culture must be processed within a containment level 3 laboratory. HSE investigations have confirmed several occasions when workers have been exposed to pathogens capable of causing severe disease. Action requiredDuty holders should ensure that:
For full details view the safety notice. |
Accident and Near-miss Tool webinar13 November, 11am to 12pmJoin this free webinar where HSE’s publishing partner, TSO, unveils the new Accident and Near-miss Tool. The tool is designed to help organisations streamline incident reporting and aid compliance with RIDDOR requirements. Register for the ‘Driving culture change with HSE’s tools’ webinar. |
