Rank: Forum user 
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In a normal business, not at high risk from blood, sharps etc. Do your first aiders get Hep B vaccinations?
A first aider has come back from a course with this recommendation, but on researching, I am finding conflicting and contrary advice and lots of safe, sat on the fence stuff. Can anyone point me in the direction of anything solid on the subject.
What do you do?
Also, what routes do you use for disposal of contaminated first aid materials when the need arises? Haven't faced the problem before, but always a possibility.
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Rank: Forum user
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Concerning the Hep B vaccination, unless you work in a high risk environment i.e. health care. there is no requirement to get hep B covered. this in itself is difficult as not everyone responds to the vacine (3 "jabs" over 1 year) Most people get this jab due to going on holidays to Africa etc.
For the disposal of contaminated waste, you can arrange for a biohazard bin from companies such as PHS Group as the service is the similar to the "Ladies Sanitary Bins", just in a different bin.
For small quantities you can take it to the local GP or health care centre and ask kindly. i.e. send it with the patient.
Hope this helps
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Rank: Super forum user
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http://www.hepb.org.uk/i...ppatitisbvaccination.pdf
It really is down to your risk assessment...I have attached a link that may help you from the Hep B org..
Just be careful on the waste thing, it is clinical waste and you could unintentionally breach the regulations for the storage, disposal and transport..
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The trouble with the clinical waste bins is that the provider may insist on exchanging / cleaning them each month (along with the women's sanitary bins), at a fee, regardless of whether they have been used. Our solution for infrequent use is a disposable bin consisting of a cardboard box with a bag in it in which your bag of waste can be deposited, followed by folding up of the cardboard box around it and a phone call to the company that handles our hazardous (not sanitary) waste to take it away. (Both box and bags are properly labelled and the box is designed to be secure.)
I'm surprised that vaccinations were suggested - I don't think the recommendation has any basis. Trainers sometimes do just give their personal opinion.
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Rank: Super forum user
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With regard to the waste aspect if you are talking about waste from a first aid procedure eg the results of a nose bleed or plaster that may have blood on it, vomit etc I believe it is likely to be classed as offensive/hygiene waste and not clinical waste. In which case the disposal criteria/procedure is not quite so onerous. Have a read of the following HSE guidance.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/waste22.pdf
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Rank: Forum user
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I have looked into this recently myself and was provided with the fpllowing information by both the HSE anf Local Environmental Health Officer: If you are generating small quantities of clinical waste from a 'healthy population' it is acceptable to bag the waste and dispose of it with other general office waste, in the same way as households dispose of used plasters, nappies and sanitary towels. Anyone who inadvertently handles this waste should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
If the waste is known to be infected or at high risk of being infected, then it should be disposed of separately. I suggest you contact whoever collects your waste to ask them for advice.
Hope this helps.
Phil W
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