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Posted By s.micklewright
Hi all,
As a housing provider we deal with a very large number of keys, new and used, certain admin staff handle large numbers of keys as part of their job on a daily basis. New keys tend to be sharp and may have a light residue of machine oil from the manufacturing process, this we can deal with by using gloves, but what about keys handed back from clients, is there any issues we should be aware of regarding contamination? What if any measures has anyone come across to put minds at rest from contracting anything from keys? I know this may sound a little OTT but staff members have rightly so concerns over what they are ignorant of.
Any advice on this would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Simon
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Posted By Mark Bywater
Have you thought how crazy this sounds?
Do your staff also worry about things that other people have touched such as any shopping, handles on doors, public toilets, takeaway food that they eat?
The list is endless........I'm sure a reasonable view would be to highlight these and other items that they handle all day long, and then let them make their own minds up about "cross contamination by key".
Gosh...where will it all end. Maybe by doing a Risk Assessment?
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Posted By Heather Aston
Simon
You're right it's OTT, but as you've obviously been asked the question, clearly someone is worried.
I agree with the point made by the previous poster about touching things touched by other people - we all do it all the time - probably best not to consider what you come into contact with when handling money.....
Make the point that they should be sure to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, smoking and before going home - that proves you've considered it and not just ignored the worry.
Heather
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Posted By s.micklewright
Yes yes yes!!! I know it sounds ridiculous and a risk assessment highlights a lot more than you would imagine (risk assessments tend to do this!)
1. Our client/tenant group are asylum seekers who are dispersed to us without any medical screening whatsoever (possible scabies or other epidermal issues)
2. Keys are handled for long periods of time, (counting in and out, auditing etc) WRULD
3. I know we all handle coins and similar risk items on a daily basis but this is not in connection with our work.
4. The staff handling the keys have raised this as an issue and as an employer we have to provide them with information regarding any risks.
thanks for the advice, I shall recomend hand washing regularly and install a plague stone ( a bowl used in medieval times containing vinegar in which coins where placed after a financial transaction to stop the spread of plague!!)
Is it red nose day today?
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Posted By Tyler
You make the point that handling money is not in connection with your work.
How about conatcting banks or shops where clearly the constant contact with money is in connection with their work to see what they have assessed and what control measures they have in place.
It is my undersanding that very little will survive on such surfaces that will effect well being as long as you dont lick it!
The responses so far seem reasonable. Wash hands at regular intervals (this is what the shops suggest).
Tyler
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By s.micklewright
Yes thanks, I know this, but the employee who raised it does not, armed with this information the employees mind was put at rest.
Thank you.
Simon
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