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Posted By David Bannister
Risk assessment has made a client aware that their building caretakers may be exposed to a range of biological hazards but not sure what. I am advising providing info on: Weils disease, tetanus, hepatitis, psittacosis. Also immunisation to be offered where available. Low likelihood of exposure to legionella.
Does anybody have other ideas on what to be aware of?
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Posted By Adrian Watson
What is this building?
Regards Adrian Watson
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Posted By Philby'
David,
If its a publicly accessible building you may also want to consider sharps...and although this is often seen to be an uban myth, I have experienced finding a used syringe under a toilet rim on more than one occasion...so a range of bio-hazards, not all of which you can vaccinate against, so its litter pickers, mirrors and PPE
Philby'
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Posted By J Knight
Some fungal spores; though there is debate apparently about the actual identity of the mould; whatever its real name is the black one is a known bio-hazard,
John
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Posted By David Bannister
Adrian, these buildings are city centre tenanted office blocks.
They all have access control so the sharps issue is low likelihood although still to be considered.
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Posted By Makka
Our risk assessments cover biological hazards as being all bodily fluids, including Vomit. We also cover the safe disposal of used medical equipment such as needles from diabetics, cathaters, etc, etc for which we have strict laid down procedures and the appropriate sharps containers and clinical waste bins which are changed on a regular basis and put into a wheelie bin designated for the purpose and removed by a specialist contractor on a periodic basis.
In addition we cover bird and animal feaces, standing exterior water (blocked drains and soakaways), legionella, airborne mould and fungus spores from air handling unit contamination, (regular microbiological testing of samples), and finally allergic reactions!
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Posted By Adrian Watson
David,
If these are city centre tenanted blocks the risks from Weils disease, tetanus, hepatitis, psittacosis, etc to caretakers are unlikely to be anything other than trivial. I would be asking the 'consultant' how they formed the opinion regarding these hazards.
The main risk to be considered in a city centre tenanted block would be legionellosis; although building related illnesses such as humidifier fever may need to be considered.
If as you say these premises are security controlled then the risk from sharps would be low unless you have uncontrolled public access, or if doorways, alleys and out-of-the way parts of the premises are used for "rough-sleeping."
Regards Adrian
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Posted By David Bannister
The caretakers need to visit all the common parts of the building, including roof spaces, cellars, vacant suites and come across birds, rats and their leavings, accumulated stuff in blocked gutters, blocked toilets and basins, general blown and discarded rubbish, dumped stuff, hence the attention to bio hazards.
The query was raised by one of the employees.
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Posted By Adrian Watson
David,
The appropriate controls for dead rats and birds is do not handle them; wear rubber gloves and use tongs to pick them up. Spray them first with an aerosol spray to deal with any fleas and place them in a bag with a pesticide powder.
Persons should not enter crawl spaces that are heavily contaminated with bird or rat droppings without appropriate respiratory protection (PP3 half face mask), low allergenic or non-powdered latex gloves and disposable coveralls.
Blocked drains should be unblocked with a remote unblocker; persons should wear rubber gauntlets. Persons dealing with sewage should be trained and vaccinated with TABT & possibly Hep A. However Hep A has limited affect, so unless the person is a plumber or dealing with sewage on a regular basis I would not consider it. All persons should be informed of the health risks; told to see a doctor with "flu" symptoms and give the doctor a sewage worker card.
Regards Adrian
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Posted By Richard H.
This is mainly for Adrian Watson but if anyone else can help, please do.
Thanks for all the useful info so far. As an (independent) school caretaker I sometimes have to get the drain rods out & clear blocked drains. Any advice & answers to afew questions would be appreciated.
1. You say persons dealing with sewage should be trained - What kind of training & by whom?
2. What is TABT ?
3. What specific health risks & where can one access this information (I have tried !)
4. What is a 'sewage worker card'?
Thanks & regards
Richard H
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Typhoid types A & B and Tetanus
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Sewage worker card free from HSE WWW in free leaflets
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Posted By Richard H.
Thanks David for the info.
Can anyone help with issues of training and the specific health risks?
Richard H.
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