What is Hypertension?
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Genome Screen Results
Nursing and Scientific Teams
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Standard operating procedure
Staff Welfare No: 018D
The Health and Safety at work act of 1974 demand that local
rules are drawn up in consultation with the local Health and
Safety Committee in each health authority. The rules may vary
within different health authorities.
It is the duty of employers to safeguard, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the health and safety of their employees. However,
it is the responsibility of the employee to adhere to the specified
guidelines of practice and attend regular training programmes,
when instructed, to ensure that they are conforming to the health
and safety regulations laid down by their health authority.
It is the
responsibility of all personnel to ensure the health and safety
of themselves and all other persons who may be affected by their
must know what to do in case of fire in both your department
premises and in the MRC GP practices you are working in. You
must be aware of the evacuation assembly points in all of
the premises you are working in.
- All members
of staff must attend fire lectures regularly. These should
be provided by the department you are based in.
- You must
acquaint yourself with the location and type of extinguishers
in your area. Be sure that you know how to use them. By Law
each fire extinguisher must have the instructions for use
printed on its side. You must be aware of which fire extinguisher
is used for each type of fire you may encounter and you must
use the correct type of extinguisher for that type of fire.
for most domestic fires.
powder or CO2: for solvent/electrical apparatus fires.
Foam extinguishers: for most fires involving flammable liquids.
NEVER use water or foam to put out an electrical fire.
accidents and dangerous incidents must be reported to your
departmental safety officer. Ensure you are aware of who this
person is. Ensure to enter all accidents in the designated
accident book for your department. If your department does
not have one, find out who holds the book, so you know where
to obtain it in an emergency. Follow your department local
rules on the correct procedure following the accident/incident
involved. All local rules should be provided in an accessible
place, in order that everyone in the department has access
- If the
accident/incident has occurred as a result of a procedure
needed for the study, inform either Dr.M.Caulfield or Janine
Pembroke as soon as possible.
you are aware of the exact location of first aid equipment
in both your department and any MRC GP practices you are working
in. This includes knowing the location of the eyewash in the
laboratory, in which you will process your samples.
coats must be worn and fastened when working in the laboratory.
Ensure to be familiar with the local rules of the laboratory
you are working in. Goggles, gloves, aprons and masks should
be freely available.
must not use any equipment before familiarising yourself with
the correct operating procedure. DO NOT use equipment which
is obviously unsafe, report it to whom it may concern.
- All samples
must be properly labelled.
spillages must be dealt with immediately, taking the appropriate
precautions. If you are unsure of what you have spilt in a
laboratory, inform the laboratory Head immediately for advice.
DO NOT attempt to clear away any spillage you have caused
or one that you may find without knowing what the source was
and what precautions are needed to deal with it.
must be aware of the correct method of disposing waste in
your department. For example, black polythene bags are usually
used for clean waste including paper and plastics, and yellow
bags are used for most bodily fluid, tissues and biological
contaminated materials. Sharps must always be placed
IMMEDIATELY in a designated sharps bin after use. NEVER
safety's sake, consider all biological materials as potentially
your hands thoroughly after working with biological material
and always on leaving the laboratory.
gloves and plastic aprons are to be used when necessary.
- You must
inform a laboratory worker immediately if you knock over or
break anything in a laboratory.
- You must
wash your hands before meals breaks and before leaving any
- If you
delegate work to other members of staff, it is your responsibility
to give them all the information they require to do the work
safely. Essentially, no procedures for the project should
be carried out by persons not directly involved with the study.
- No visitors
should be allowed to handle any subject data/material. It
is your responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of
- An immunisation
programme is usually offered by each hospital. All members
of staff should consider seriously the benefits of immunisation
against tetanus, hepatitis and polio and should contact their
relevant Occupational Health Department.
you know who the Health and Safety advisor is for your department.
you know who to contact in an emergency, if this person differs
from the Health and Safety advisor.
you are familiar with the local rules of your department and
in the GP surgeries you are working in.
you know the location of your accident book and how to document
an accident correctly.
- It is
your responsibility to undertake the Health and Safety of
subjects in your care, for example at screening. This includes
evacuating them in the event of a fire.
- It is
your responsibility to ensure you attend any Health and Safety
training sessions held in your department. Following on from
these sessions, it is your responsibility to update your current
practice to comply with any amended/new Health and Safety
Health & Safety rules in your department.
The BRIGHT Study Standard operating Procedures .