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Scott.Daniel  
#1 Posted : 22 August 2011 08:01:59(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
scott.daniel

Hello, Our vending machine supplier has introduced Paracetemol into our vending machines on site, from a duty of care point of view I have no issues with this, is there anything else that I need to look out for? Cheers, Scott.
alan w houghton  
#2 Posted : 22 August 2011 08:10:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
alan w houghton

How will you limit the amount each person buys ?
barnaby  
#3 Posted : 22 August 2011 09:03:49(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

alan w houghton wrote:
How will you limit the amount each person buys ?
Employ grown ups is my initial reaction but there is info available, eg see here: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/H...endingmachines/index.htm
Andrew Bober  
#4 Posted : 22 August 2011 09:46:22(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Andrew Bober

As pointed out already, assuming this is MHRA codes then all should be fine. Call them is you need to ask a question.
MaxPayne  
#5 Posted : 22 August 2011 11:18:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MaxPayne

alan w houghton wrote:
How will you limit the amount each person buys ?
How can you limit the amount employees buy and keep in the desk drawer etc? grown ups......
Seamusosullivan  
#6 Posted : 22 August 2011 11:57:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Seamusosullivan

Just a question, Is there any reason why people would need Paracetemol as a result of working at the site?
John J  
#7 Posted : 22 August 2011 13:08:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
John J

seamusosullivan wrote:
Just a question, Is there any reason why people would need Paracetemol as a result of working at the site?
Don't know about Scotts site but it's number 1 asked for item at our occupational health centre, closely followed by bonjella and athletes foot cream. None of these are related to work.
Dedicoat36507  
#8 Posted : 22 August 2011 13:19:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Dedicoat36507

Very pertinent to wonder how to limit numbers obtained - Is your work area in a very isolated region? If someone is very prone to headache etc - then perhaps they should consult their GP. Vending machines like this were in great evidence during the 90's and then were removed......perhaps it's a fashion moving full circle? There is a potential risk associated with these machines, and an individuals opportunity to obtain greater numbers - I know that this can occur at home, but....
John T Allen  
#9 Posted : 22 August 2011 15:09:40(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Who re-stocks the vending machine? Does it just dispense paracetamol, or ibuprofen too, and other things? Have come across this, and not unknown for the company re-stocking them to get things mixed up. Could be an issue if you have people with sensitivities, possibility for accidental overdosing etc. Suggest taking on a reputable company and keeping checks on them if you must have these things.
MaxPayne  
#10 Posted : 22 August 2011 15:16:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MaxPayne

quote=JAllen]Who re-stocks the vending machine? Does it just dispense paracetamol, or ibuprofen too, and other things? Have come across this, and not unknown for the company re-stocking them to get things mixed up. Could be an issue if you have people with sensitivities, possibility for accidental overdosing etc. Suggest taking on a reputable company and keeping checks on them if you must have these things.
Seen these types of vending machines in Hotels but not in the workplace; however I'd assume that paracetamol etc would be dispensed in proper packaging and not a pick and mix arrangement. If so what difference would it make if the person refilling the machine got them muddled up apart from the inconvenience for the customer? I'd know something wasn't right if I asked for paracetamol and got a pack saying Ibuprofen. Barnaby said it first...."Grown ups"
Safety Smurf  
#11 Posted : 22 August 2011 15:20:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

I don't seem to be able to do a search at the moment but this same subject was discussed at length here only a few months ago.
John T Allen  
#12 Posted : 22 August 2011 15:53:29(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Seen these types of vending machines in Hotels but not in the workplace; however I'd assume that paracetamol etc would be dispensed in proper packaging and not a pick and mix arrangement. If so what difference would it make if the person refilling the machine got them muddled up apart from the inconvenience for the customer? I'd know something wasn't right if I asked for paracetamol and got a pack saying Ibuprofen.
Well, you'd obviously think to look, surprising how many people wouldn't. They don't put messages on the package telling people to read the instructions for nothing. Spend an evening in the A&E and tell me about 'grown ups'.
barnaby  
#13 Posted : 22 August 2011 17:30:22(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

JAllen wrote:
Well, you'd obviously think to look, surprising how many people wouldn't. They don't put messages on the package telling people to read the instructions for nothing. Spend an evening in the A&E and tell me about 'grown ups'.
I'm sure you're right about A&E but surely you're not suggesting there are large numbers suffering because adults at work were supplied with a pack of Ibuprofen instead of Paracetomol as a result of the vending machine re-stockers getting it wrong? Having to take account of this sort of possibility is nannying in the extreme.
Zimmy  
#14 Posted : 22 August 2011 18:54:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zimmy

Do we have a duty of care re head pain? Don't think so. How about period pains? Wind?
John T Allen  
#15 Posted : 22 August 2011 23:28:12(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

barnaby wrote:
I'm sure you're right about A&E but surely you're not suggesting there are large numbers suffering because adults at work were supplied with a pack of Ibuprofen instead of Paracetomol as a result of the vending machine re-stockers getting it wrong? Having to take account of this sort of possibility is nannying in the extreme.
Nannying? I don't think so. I was merely making the point that if the company installs a machine dispensing medication, it should surely take reasonable steps to ensure that it dispenses the correct medication.
Steve Sedgwick  
#16 Posted : 23 August 2011 00:13:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve Sedgwick

These are not prescription drugs. Adults are able to walk in to most shops, garages, supermarkets etc and buy these pain killers, alcohol, cigarettes etc Try telling your workforce that you don't think it is safe for them to buy headache tablets. shh
MaxPayne  
#17 Posted : 23 August 2011 07:48:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MaxPayne

So a consensus then...Nannying in the extreme.
John T Allen  
#18 Posted : 23 August 2011 23:26:19(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

MaxPayne wrote:
So a consensus then...Nannying in the extreme.
A consensus of three people......hmm.
Clairel  
#19 Posted : 24 August 2011 08:55:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

quote=zimmy]Do we have a duty of care re head pain? Don't think so. How about period pains? Wind?
No, but headaches and period pain are debilitating and I think being able to get your hands on paracetamol creates less risk that trying to work through such things. I don't know why you're not allowed to provide paracetamol in the workplace myself. Ok some people may be allergic but they will know who they are, why do the rest of us have to suffer becuase some people can't have it. And if someone's gonna take an overdose then they're gonna take an overdose. There are times I have really needed some painkillers whilst at work (or in someone elses work). Yes I try and carry my own but sometimes you run out etc. Paracetamol ain't strong but they can take the edge off. I see nothing wrong with a vending machine.
MaxPayne  
#20 Posted : 24 August 2011 11:31:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MaxPayne

JALLEN wrote:
MaxPayne wrote:
So a consensus then...Nannying in the extreme.
A consensus of three people......hmm.
Make that four then....Thanks Clairel, the voice of reason as always :-)
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