Posted By Bryn Maidment Morning All This is a relatively urgent request!! Do any Healthcare safety bods out there have any knowledge of HSE action (IN's, PN's, prosecutions) regarding the lack of suitable extraction of smoke (plume) generated in surgery? Personal or anecdotal tales welcome and anonymity will be preserved. Please E.mail me to discuss. BTW this is in relation to a Clinical Director, at the hospital that I work at, who is questioning the need for plume extractors. Many thanks PS introduced extractors following risk assessment, checking relevant legislation and research papers - I would just like some extra ammo to blast this particular doctor out of the water for good!!!

Posted By Bryn Maidment Alison Many thanks for the response. I personally can see the merit in sticking with the first bit of the COSHH hierarchy - elimination. Get rid of the patients - perfectly legit in my book!! In a similar way to you I've done a large amount of slaving to get an initial batch of plume extractors on site, much to the joy of nursing staff. The opposition to finishing the job comes from an 'eminent' surgeon (eminent in his own mind) who is questioning the need. I'm not worried about the man, I have assessments galore and evidence of the risk (and it's on the Risk Register) but just wanted a little bit extra to put him firmly back into his box. Just wondered if anyone had actually felt the HSEs grip on their collar. Incidentally, I've recommended NOT buying the second batch until I've investigated two 'newish' developments - harmonic scalpels and a small, cheap fitting that uses the wall mounted vacuum system. I've got the reps on their way in but anyone any experience of these items particularly with regard to plume? Regards Bryn