Pharmacists role in health and safety

What responsibilities do pharmacists have as healthcare professionals?

Safety of the public and patients

What responsibilities do pharmacists have as managers/owners/individuals?

Safety of everyone in the workplace

What is the health and safety at work act 1974?

employer is responsible for employees and anyone else legally in the workplace, responsible for anyone affected during work activities

work premises must be safe

Toilets, washing facilities, drinking water must be provided

What happens if law is breached?

negligence - civil law

claim bought up against pharmacy

corporate manslaughter - criminal law

death caused

How do we protect the safety of patients?

Hand hygiene

pipe

disposal of clinic/hazardous waste

environmental cleaning

vaccinations

What is a hazard?

something with the potential to cause harm

What is risk?

The likelihood of harm occurring

What’s the process for hazard control?

Eliminate → substitute → isolate → pipe

How is a risk assessment conducted?

identity hazards and record then

identify what controls measures are in place

calculate a risk score to assess level of risk

Review whether additional controls are needed

assess if risk is at an acceptable level

implement risk assessment into daily practice

What is RIDDOR?

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulation 2013