All staff working in a practice are responsible for ensuring it is a safe environment for themselves, colleagues and patients – and is kept as free from risk as possible.
If at any time you identify a potential risk or hazard, you should report it immediately to either the appointed health and safety (H&S) officer or your manager. If you are the appointed H&S officer, you should act straight away. The practice should display a H&S poster, and this should include the name of the safety officer. All employees should be aware of the practice H&S safety procedures, including new and established employees.
All practices should have an accident report book, and any accident that occurs within the practice should be recorded. A first aid kit should also be kept in the practice, and all staff should be aware of its location. It is very important that any used items are replaced, and the kit is checked on a regular basis.
Fire extinguishers and fire blankets should be checked every year, and fire and smoke alarms should be tested once a month. All fire exits must be kept clear and accessible and not blocked by anything, including temporary deliveries. Training on the use of fire equipment should be provided as part of a practice’s H&S training.
Walkways within the practice should be kept clear, and checked for any leads or loose plugs that could cause someone to trip. Edges of steps should be highlighted, and any spillages should be dealt with immediately.
If your practice opens onto the High Street, it is a good idea to have a wet floor sign for rainy days, and ensure the floor is regularly mopped. Provide an umbrella stand for patients to leave their umbrellas, rather than carrying them through the practice.
It is important that practice team members are aware of the regulations around safe storage and disposal of diagnostic drugs and clinical waste, as this has an impact on H&S. Correct storage of all drugs is important, and the manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed, including noting the expiry date, how long to store the drug and how to store it once opened.
Any drugs that need to be refrigerated should be kept in a separate drugs fridge, and not stored with food or drinks. All practices are required to carry out regular risk assessments, including a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Report. Some helpful information on use and supply of drugs can be found on the ABDO website here.
The disposal of waste must be legal, environmentally-friendly and safe. You will have different coloured bins in your practice, and it is important that the correct waste is placed in the correct bin.
For example, empty contact lens solution bottles, tonometer probes and large quantities of contact lenses are classed as non-hazardous healthcare waste and should be placed in the yellow and black striped bags (tiger bags). These will then be disposed of in the offensive waste stream.
Chloramphenicol is classed as hazardous waste and should be placed in the yellow sharps bin for incineration. Used or unused Flourets and Minims are classed as non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste and should also be placed in the yellow sharps bin for incineration.
These are just some examples of correct waste disposal, and if you are unsure of the correct method of disposal, you should always check this rather than guess. So long as every staff member is risk aware, the practice will be a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.
Sue Deal FBDO R is a practising dispensing optician, ABDO College examiner, senior tutor and supervisor for dispensing opticians. She is also a practice visitor and external moderator for ABDO. She was recently awarded the ABDO Medal of Excellence for her outstanding services to the profession.