JOB HAZARD INFORMATION
Contents
1. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 1
FIELDWORK 1
2. MANUAL HANDLING 1
3. HUMAN TISSUE AND BODY FLUIDS 2
4. GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO) 3
5. NOISE >80DbA 3
6. NIGHT WORKING (between 2200hrs and 0600hrs) 4
7. DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT 4
8. REPETITIVE TASKS 5
9. IONISING/NON-IONISING RADIATION/LASERS/ UV RADIATION 5
Ionising radiation 5
Non-ionising radiation and lasers 6
UV radiation 6
10. ASBESTOS AND LEAD 6
11. DRIVING 6
12. FOOD HANDLING 7
13. SUBSTANCES TO WHICH THE CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH
REGULATIONS (2002)(COSHH) APPLY 7
14. WORKING AT HEIGHT 8
15. WORKING WITH SEWAGE, DRAINS, RIVER OR CANAL WATER 8
16. CONFINED SPACES 9
17. VIBRATING TOOLS 9
18. DIVING 9
19. COMPRESSED GASES 9
20. SMALL PRINT / COLOUR CODING (ELECTRICAL) 9
21. CONTAMINATED SOIL / BIOAEROSOLS 9
22. NANOMATERIALS 10
23. STRESS 10/11
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1. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Where there is an identifiedneed for employees to travelout of the UK in the course of their work for the University, the individual and their Manager must follow the Overseas Travel procedures.
It is recommended that all employeestravelling abroad on University Businessare up to date with vaccinations for life in the UK NHS Choices Vaccination Schedule, so that in the event of having to travel on University business at short notice only specific vaccinations will be required.If there are concerns regarding existing or past health issues which may be relevant to overseas travel, advice from Occupational Healthshould be sought. Please arrange or request a referral to Occupational Health: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
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FIELDWORK
All staff involved in or running field trips should consider the effect of any health conditions they have such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma that may impact their ability to carry out this work safely.
Employees should ensure all of their vaccinations are up to date for life in Britain, please see NHS Choices Vaccination Schedule
For definitions of Fieldwork, Risk Assessment forms, Health Questionnaires and to see Health & Safety policy on this please see Health & Safety Fieldwork information.
If you are concerned about the effect of any health condition, on ability to participate in a field trip safely, please refer to Occupational Health on: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
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2. MANUAL HANDLING
There are roles within the University of Portsmouth that will require, at times, objects, loads or people to be moved in a safe way. Examples of where this should be considered are; Caretakers, other Estates workers, some IS workers, technicians and some roles in Marketing. In order to ensure that staff are able to safely fulfil this part of their role, attendance at manual handling training and updates where necessary, will be required.
Relevant Legislation
Please see Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992)
Further Guidance
Getting to grips with Manual Handling: A Short Guide
Further information regarding the training available and the dates of future courses can be found on the Health & Safety training pages
Should there be any health concerns relating to this aspect of a role, e.g. musculo-skeletal problems, cardiac or eye problems please arrange or request a referral to Occupational Health: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
3. HUMAN TISSUE AND BODY FLUIDS
The Department of Health considers various occupational groups to be at increased risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses (BBV) and recommends immunisation where appropriate. Staff who work with or who may be exposed to human tissue and or body fluids, should be referred to the Occupational Health Service to discuss immunisations and vaccinations such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A and Tetanus that may be required or advised due to the risks involved in this work. This may include:
Laboratory workers handling biological material that may be virally contaminated
First Aiders who will be advised of potential health risks on commencement of training and Hepatitis B vaccination offered routinely.
Hall Porters/Domestic Assistants/Nursery workers whose duties may involve exposure to body fluids
Healthcare workers/Exposure Prone Procedure (EPP) workers/Administrative staff with potential exposure to blood borne viruses
Employees should ensure all of their vaccinations are up to date for life in Britain; NHS Choices Vaccination Schedule
All new starters in the Dental Academy will routinely be sent an Occupational Health appointment to discuss immunisation requirements to ensure compliance with Department of Health clearance procedures for healthcare workers.
Legislation which may apply:
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (2002)
Management of Health & Safety at Work (MOHASAW) Regulations
Health & Safety at Work Act (HASAW) (1974)
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (1992)
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (1992)
Further Guidance which may apply:
Working with substances hazardous to health
Biological agents: Managing the risks in labs and healthcare premises
Safe Working and the prevention of infection in clinical labs and similar facilities HSAC
The Management, Design & Operation of microbiological containment labs
BBV in the Workplace; guidance for employers and employees
General Guidance on BBV in the workplace
Further information relating to mainly laboratory and healthcare work
Good hand washing technique
University Guidance is available from:
Health & Safety Office: Health & Safety Technical Guidance Note on Microbiological Safety in a Non-Laboratory Setting
Occupational Health Service:
Individuals/managers should refer to the Occupational Health Service where it appears that health is being affected by this work: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
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4. GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO)
Relevant Legislation
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations (2000)
Amended (2005)
Further Guidance
Information and advice on working with/work involving genetically modified organisms
Should there be any health concerns regarding working with the above, please request or arrange a referral to Occupational Health: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
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5. NOISE >80DbA
This decibel level (>80DbA) is slightly louder than the noise of a vacuum cleaner. If you think there is a possibility you or your workforce are being exposed to noise at this level please contact the Health & Safety team (see below) to arrange for a noise survey to be carried out.
Relevant Legislation
Control of Noise at Work Regs (2005)
Further Guidance
http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/index.htm
Managers should refer individuals to the Occupational Health Service where the need for Health Surveillance under the above Regulations has been identified.
Any concerns individuals have should be discussed with management and any health related issues reported to the Occupational Health Service for further advice or guidance. Individuals should consider whether they have had any problems with their ear canals or any history of noise induced hearing problems such as tinnitus. Appropriate hearing protection should be worn in any identified areas.
Managers should also identify whether their area of work would be considered for hearing conservation under a lower action level.
The Health & Safety team can be contacted directly for further information and advice.
Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
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6. NIGHT WORKING (between 2200hrs and 0600hrs)
There are health considerationsfor people classed as night workers.
Where employees are identified as night workers as new starters a health assessment will be offered (usually a questionnaire) before night work commences and on a regular basis thereafter (usually annually). Managers should refer individuals to Occupational Health where job roles change to include night working. Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
How to adapt to working at night
A human’s body clock was designed to be awake during daylight hours and to sleep at night and many night workers have experienced difficulty in adapting to the changes in working at night and sleeping during the day. There are no clear solutions but some good tips include:
· Adapting to your time frame and routine as quickly as possible by timing meals and other activities to match the ‘day’
· Exercise can often sort out body rhythms. You could try starting your ‘day’ with a brisk jog or by cycling. This may mean doing your exercise at different times but it has been proven to have been beneficial for many night shift workers
· Although not always possible, studies have shown that a short nap in the middle of a night shift can help maintain or improve performance later on in the shift. Perhaps you could consider this during your longest rest break within your shift.
· One of the most common complaints about adjusting to night shift work is the difficulty some people find in sleeping during the day. It is just as important to try and create the same relaxing environment as you would normally do it you were sleeping at night. Your room should be well ventilated and not too hot. It should be as quiet as it would be at night , so if you have a family, they should consider your needs sympathetically. If need be, you could install black-out window blinds so that your bedroom is as dark as possible and consider ear plugs and sleeping masks for your eyes, such as those you might get offered on a plane.
· When eating on the night shift, choose smaller, regular portions rather than heavier meals which can make you feel tired and sluggish and can sometimes cause heartburn and try to avoid late night caffeine as this can have an adverse effect when you get home in the morning and are trying to get to sleep.
· Drink plenty fluids as night shift has been known to cause slight dehydration.
If you can adopt a routine, still get enough quality sleep, eat the right foods, maintain social ties and keep physically active, most people find that they can usually adapt well.
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7. DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
Relevant Legislation
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 ( Revised 2002)
Further Guidance
All DSE users should complete, as part of their induction, the on-line training “Britsafe” available via Health and Safety, who can also be contacted for advice re eye sight testing
For good working practice information see the DSE leaflets on the Occupational Health webpages.
The above recommendations also apply to those DSE workers who access computers from home, either permanently or on a temporary basis, as part of their work.
Where health conditions may affect or be affected by DSE use a referral should be requested or arranged to Occupational Health: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
All other issues concerning DSE use should be dealt with by either Management or Health & Safety as appropriate.
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8. REPETITIVE TASKS
See link:NHS Choices - Repetitive Strain Injury information
Any repetitive tasks suchasregular use of a pipette in the laboratory,sensitisation of books in the Library, mouse and keyboard work in DSE users etc. can give rise to musculo-skeletal problems.
Previous history of upper limb disorders or pain affecting any part of the body involved in the repetitive task can highlight the need for adjustments/additional equipment to reduce the stress/strain and prevent problems developing or worsening.
Please see guidance for employees and employers from the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM)
Occupational Health can be contacted for advice, functional assessments and monitoring via referral from management: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
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9. IONISING/NON-IONISING RADIATION/LASERS/ UV RADIATION
Ionising radiation
Relevant Legislation
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
Further Guidance
Please see the Health & Safety office web pages for information on University procedures for working with ionising radiation. These contain information and guidance for those working in the School of Biological Sciences and a list of relevant staff contacts including the Radiation Protection Officer.
The Health & Safety team can also be contacted for further support and guidance
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) also has information on ionising radiation
This includes the main legal requirements enforced by them i.e. Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and the Approved Code of Practice & Guidance. Where there is a requirement for staff to wear individual dose-meter badges all readings should be routinely copied to Occupational Health for recording.
Managers are advised to refer to Occupational Health should they consider health surveillance to be required: Ext 3187, Occupational Health Referral Information
Non-ionising radiation and lasers
Information, guidance and advice for workers is available from Health & Safety on Non-ionising radiation and lasers.
The Health & Safety team can also be contacted for further support and guidance.
The HSE also has information on non-ionising radiation.
If there are health concerns regarding working with radiation these should be discussed with management and a referral made to the Occupational Health Service: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
UV radiation
If there is a requirement for work to be carried out outdoors the effects of exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation should be considered. Please see the following recommendations for employees from the Health & Safety Executive:
Keep your top on – Health risks from working in the sun
and for employers:
Sun Protection – Advice for employers of outdoor workers
It is also recommended that all staff with any skin changes or moles that they are concerned about see their GP for assessment or attend an appointment in one of the Occupational Health run Specialist Dermatology Nurse clinics. These clinics are usually held two or three times a year and notification of these will be sent out via all staff email. Please contact Occupational Health for more information if required: Ext 3187/ / Occupational Health Referral Information
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10. ASBESTOS AND LEAD
There is a specialist advice and legislation pertaining to working with either asbestos or lead:
HSE re asbestos
HSE re lead
University of Portsmouth Health & Safety Office re Asbestos
If contact with either of the above is likely or where there is concern regarding an exposure incident please either request or arrange for a referral to the Occupational Health Service: Ext 3187 / / Occupational Health Referral Information
The Health & Safety office should be advised of all exposure incidents Accident Report (HS1 form)