Ambulance Services

Risk of:

• Infections.

Possible causes:

• Contact with infectious person or infectious body fluids.
• Exposure to Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) via puncture wounds or bites.

Risk of:

• Health effects such as allergies and dermatitis.
• Explosion.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to compressed / anaesthetic gases or chemicals administered / released inside the ambulance e.g. halothane, nitrous oxide, oxygen and ethyl chloride.
• Use of disinfecting agents.
• Exposure to latex consumables e.g. powdered latex gloves.
• Exposure to chemicals or drugs.
• Mishandling of gas cylinders.

Risk of:

• Road collision.
• Stress.
• Back pain.

Possible causes:

• High speed driving under emergency conditions.
• Driving in difficult traffic or weather conditions.
• Poor ergonomic set up / lack of lumbar support.
• Manual handling of patients and material from the vehicle.
• Sustained posture and duration of journey.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Electrocution.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to loose electrical conduits at accident scene.
• Faulty or unmaintained equipment.
• Misuse of equipment e.g. defibrillators.

Risk of:

• Colds.
• Stress.
• Fatigue.

Possible causes:

• Working in inclement conditions - cold, wind, rain, heat.
• Lack of warm, waterproof clothing.
• Inadequately maintained vehicles.

Risk of:

• Pain in neck, back or arms.
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpel tunnel syndrome.

Possible causes:

• Adopting awkward postures.
• Using force or exertion.

Risk of:

• Physical injury.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Attending accident scenes.
• Mishandling of gas cylinders.

Risk of:

• Physical injury or death.

Possible causes:

• Entering unstable structures.
• Attending accident scenes where material may be dislodged

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Smoke inhalation.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Attending fire accident scenes.

Risk of:

• Genetic damage.
• Reproductive damage.

Possible causes:

• Transporting patients who have received therapeutic amounts of radionuclides.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.
• Falls.

Possible causes:

• Lifting and moving patients, often over rough terrain or down stairs.
• Lack of mechanical aids.

Risk of:

• Puncture wound.
• Infection.
• Cuts.

Possible causes:

• Needlestick or sharp instrument injury whilst carrying out work activities e.g. giving injections.
• Broken glass or twisted sharp items at accident scene.
• Bites.

Risk of:

• Health effects - digestion problems, heart disease.
• Sleep problems.

Possible causes:

• Poor job structure.
• Changing shifts.
• Night work.

Risk of:

• Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

• Carrying stretchers or loads up or down stairs.
• Working in unstable areas or unstable structures.
• Fall from vehicle.

Risk of:

• Psychological disorders.
• Health effects.

Possible causes:

• Time pressure.
• Working irregular hours.
• Coping with emotional or traumatic situations.
• Maintaining prolonged state of alertness.

Risk of:

• Physical and / or psychological harm.

Possible causes:

• Uncooperative patients.
• Patients suffering from emotional stress or behavioural problems.
• Opportunist members of the public.
• Public order issues.

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