Posted By George Wedgwood ELVs can have almost anything inside them - particularly in the boot. I need to implement some better controls for employees handling them and 'depolluting' them. Has anyone got any experience of what the fire, rescue or police authorities do to control risks of bio-hazards, needlestick injuries etc, if they have to enter an old, used, scrap, abandoned vehicle? Thanks, George

Posted By Martin Gray George, When officers in my force deal with any vehicle they have to use there eyes, when they are searching vehicles this is their first line of defence. They are trained to search a vehicle in a systematic manner and this will also cover areas that we have previously found sharps etc. In your case you are dismantling which we rarely do but I would suggest that your staff are trained to look out for the obvious, i.e needles syringes etc and using a pair of grips (we use a device called ampleprobe) to remove the items safely, and also dispose of them in a safe manner. Working with recovery operator driver are encouraged not to sit in the vehicle or if the need to they should place boards over the seat cushions, there have been instances where sharps have been placed in the seat cushions and are not visible until the seat is compressed. If you have any specific queries please contact me direct. Martin