Hi,

I have recently started work in a new company, Yesterday I noticed a Vial of insulin and a syringe and needle stored in the fridge in the kitchen. I'm sure this is wrong but I am unable to find anything on the HSE web site. Should we provide a seperate lockable fridge for the insulin.

Hope you can help

I can't answer your question, but I would suggest you determine a system of where the person concerned puts the broken glass after use.

I once cut my hand in exactly those circumstances and was not best pleased !!

As an insulin dependant diabetic and an H&S professional I have a vested interest in the question. There is no law, code, etc saying that either insulin, or hyperdermic needles and syringes can't be kept in 'public' fridges. Guidance from insulin manufactureres say that (becuase insulin is a hormone ie oganic) it is best stored in fridges so the user is doing the right thing. (However the manufacturer's also say that it can last up to 28 days in room temperature!!!) I agree with the other poster who advises that they should be kept in a labelled container, but disagree with another who asks about what if they need it in an emergency. Theywon't. If they need it in an emergenc they will more than likely need medical help so call an ambulance. they are more likley to need glucose/sugar as hypoglycemea (ie low blood sugar) is more likley with most diabetics (no space to go into detail here - sorry.)
Remember that diabetes is classed as a disability (although most diabetic would disagree) so employers have a legal requirement to make reasonable adjustments for diabetics. Keeping insulin in a fridge is entirely reasonable

Many insulin dependent diabetics will also need to inject prior to lunch. Personally I use a 'pen' to inject which I keep in my jacket pocket. If he has good control of their diabetes it might be beneficial for them to ask their GP about switching to a pen rather than a syringe which is much more practical in my opinion.

..there's also Diabetes UK. ( http://www.diabetes.org.uk) they've been going for (I think) over 50 years - I'd be surprised if this concern or somtheing similar hasn't been addressed by them at some time.
Identify the person who put the insulin there. If they don't come forward then remove it - they'll soon make themselves known!! Then talk with them about what support they need - if you like, treat it like a risk assessment as(to do an effective risk assessment) you need to involve the pople who operate the process. For info a number of companies produce cool bags specifically for insulin and the associated kit - the fridge won't be needed then. Maybe that's an answer. Personnaly I use a sandwich bag that acts as a cool bag - I keep my insulin pen in there. No problem to me and no problem to others - but everyone's different.

I would echo this comment - the pens are far more convenient. However, there is still one or more sharps to consider, so a labelled plastic box may be the answer.

Some good responses here, and especially the one about diabetes uk, they are an excellent source of help and information for those with diabetes, and employers alike. I tend not to use a fridge for daily use at work, but if the person prefers to I suggest a little chat with them and ask them to keep it in a tupperware or similar. I am sure they will be positive about this.

I don't have diabetes but I do have a condition that requires me to inject intramuscular once a week. I do mine out with working hours at home but I have all the equipment needed to do this at any time of my choosing. The equipment is stored in a small discreet container. I even have a wee cool bag if theres no fridge. I have a small sharps bin too. Used sharps must be disposed of in a sharps bin. Used phials could be disposed of a sharps too to prevent any risk of broken glass. I suspect that people are unnecessarily nervous about needles, etc. The diabetics' items should be stored responsibly and we have no reason to doubt that they are. Removing their stuff to flush them out seems very drastic and an odd suggestion for a safety professional to suggest. This person knows how to manage their condition. Their employer should accomodate them and manage accordingly. Not castigate or single them out. As far as I know the person with the condition only needs to infom their employer (with some conditions this is even not a legal requirement), it is then up to the employer to manage the situation. People need to mindful of DDA, data protection, etc.

I thought perhaps you might be concerend about others taking the insulin? If so, having it in a marked container and in the office fridge should be ok. Unless you have someone working with you who doesn't have the ability to understand about not takng things from the fridge which aren't theirs.
We do an extra duty of care - personal risk assessemnt for and with people with medical conditions. We have quite a simple form for this. For your person this will detail where and how to store their insulin.

Lilian

Everyone is so scared of the sharpes in that case go but a small sharps disposal container they only cost about £3.50 and and any good employer should be happy to pay for that they level it next to the fridge and if the person uses the needle he / she drops it in there, what is the big deal about a needle and sharps.

Some people need to get out in the real world. Talk to the person who is using the Insulin.........

Need to bear in mind that costs don't stop at the sharps container. It needs to be disposed of by a licensed contractor.

I cannot see that the poster is saying how it was disposed of, he is asking if it should be stored there. How long has the person been keeping it ther, how many compliants have you had and is it really a safety issue? It may be that the person has always kept it in the fridge this way and as there has been no compliants doesn't think nothing of it. If you have concerns get all the information you can and then ask to discuss it with them, if you want it storing in a different fashion i.e. in a small tupperware box, which then if used he can transport the used items home in and dispose of once there, this saves having to have a sharps box or anything else. If it's not a problem and you were just wondering then just think before you act as sometimes these things come back to bite you on the bum, when you find your the only one with concerns and the whole office turn on you. Remember if you get it wrong health and safety will take a battering for a while and you'll have to defend your position.