Pharmacy

Risk of:

• Infection.

Possible causes:

• Testing procedures that involve piercing skin.
• Contact with infectious patient e.g. TB patient.

Risk of:

• Health effects such as poisoning, allergies, dermatitis, cancer or effects on the unborn child.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to cryogenic chemicals, cytotoxins, antibiotics especially during formulation procedures (blending / compounding), drug reconstitution and mixing but also during handling, disposal and administration.
• Use of disinfectants and detergents.
• Inappropriate or lack of use of engineering controls and PPE.
• Improper practices during drug preparation.
• Contact with latex consumables e.g. use of powdered latex gloves.

Risk of:

• Electric shock.
• Burns.
• Death.
• Fire.

Possible causes:

• Faulty equipment.
• No or poor maintenance of equipment.
• Improper use of equipment.
• Overloading of sockets.

Risk of:

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

Possible causes:

• Repetitive movements during dispensing, opening and closing bottle lids or crushing or cutting tablets.
• Over reaching.
• Awkward postures.
• Poor product or stock placement.
• Poor table or bench height.
• Poor workstation or equipment set up e.g. computer.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Electrocution.

Possible causes:

• Use of heat sealers.
• Lack of equipment maintenance.

Risk of:

• Genetic effects.
• Reproductive effects.
• Cancer.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

Risk of:

• Increased vulnerability in event of an incident such as a robbery.

Possible causes:

• Unsafe system of work.

Risk of:

• Cuts.
• Infection.

Possible causes:

• Use of scalpels, scissors, knives or lancets.
• Handling of packaging.
• Broken glassware.

Risk of:

• Physical injury ranging from minor cuts to more serious injuries such as broken bones.

Possible causes:

• Poor housekeeping.
• Trailing cables due for example to insufficient electrical sockets resulting in use of extension leads

Risk of:

• Physical and / or psychological effects.

Possible causes:

• Dealing with aggressive members of the public.
• Robbery.

For further information on related controls click here.