Posted By Shane Johnston We hold Blood Donor sessions on site on a regular basis. Company policy allows individuals to give blood during work time, and then return to work. My concern is that we operate a number of hazardous operations (FLT, Cranes, Lathes, large tracked vehicles etc), and I am sure that we should not allow individuals who have given blood to return to these operations. Any advice on this issue would be welcomed. Shane.

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Shane This is a case for individual risk assessment if ever there was one. Hard physical work after donating could cause problems (although I did once play squash immediately after donating - such is the folly of youth!) and some individuals may be more susceptible to the after effects of donating. However, unless the after effects include mental impairment or reduction in co-ordination, I would have thought that FLT and crane drivers should be able to work. For those individuals who may be prone lightheadedness or fainting, use of machine tools would be ill-advised, but for how long? Paul

Posted By Jane Blunt NBS have an FAQ page that touches on the subject above at http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/b10faq.html Clearly the risk is relatively low, otherwise the public would not be allowed to drive away from the session. Jane