Posted By mike grey We have set up a small working group to evaluate the risks connected with the storage, use and disposal of spiragel hand rub which is used on hospital wards. We are to formulate a generic COSHH assessment for use on the wards, has any other NHS Trust (or private hospital) completed an assessment and willing to share their ideas/findings?

Posted By Ron Hunter I'm not from NHS or a private hospital, however......you shouldn't be doing a COSHH Assessment on a substance which is not hazardous to health!!! Risk assess by all means - presumably the product is flammable, and bulk storage may be an issue. Quantities kept on wards should not be a significant hazard.

Posted By Joe Paterson Hi All Quite apart from the ususal areas of Assessment Handling, Storage etc please be mindful of the Risk to Patients and visitors through Ingestion, there have been reported incidents within the NHS of Patients drinking similar substances,

Posted By steve e ashton Ron Is it possible the alcohol gel will 'de-fat' the skin, reducing the natural protection the fat is supposed to provide, resulting in greater numbers of users suffering latex allergy / talc dermatitis than might otherwise be the case? Thus, the gel wipe may not 'cause' the ill effect, but it could be implicated in increased risk from those substances that do. Very important when doing any risk assessment to consider the compatibility of one substance / process with other substance/processes. Just a thought. Some years ago, I received the MSDS for an alcohol based disinfectant wipe. It was quite blunt in identifying the alcohol as a skin irritant and advising that skin contact should be avoided.... So how did the manufacturers think the product was going to be used? I got no answer when I queried this with our suppliers. We didn't opt to use them (cost grounds) and I don't recall the trade name, so it may not be the same, but I imagine it would have similar properties? Steve

Posted By David Mains Ron, you arrive at the conclusion that it is causing skin problems by testing for and ruling out latex alleregies and looking at the evidence - i.e. the only change to the working practice is the use of this substance. The problems can arise due to the (greatly) increased use of the substance and also not waiting for the alcohol to evapourate before putting on gloves whether latex or vinyl.

Posted By Paul L Williams What about the COSHH risks associated with ingestion!. Artical Daily Mirror 15 February 2005 Patients drink 62 per cent proof germ killer By Lorraine Fisher A HOSPITAL that introduced an alcohol-based handwash to fight MRSA was stunned to discover boozing patients were drinking the stuff. Staff noticed they were getting through an unusual amount of the special gel, which had been put in wards so people could clean their hands easily and prevent the spread of disease.But patients discovered another use for it. At 62 per cent alcohol, it seemed perfect for an afternoon tipple. A source at University Hospital Aintree, in Liverpool, said: "When we first put out the gel, the worry was that none of the patients or visitors would use it. "So when we kept having to replace the bottles, we were really pleased. "But then we noticed we were getting through it at a rate of knots - far more than we ever expected. We didn't know where it was going until one of the nurses noticed an old lady putting her tea cup underneath the pump and pressing it. "We couldn't believe it. It turned out lots of patients had been helping themselves. "It may seem funny, but it's actually quite worrying because it's very unhealthy." "Special vigilance is observed over patients with known alcohol addiction problems and in areas of risk staff carry a personal supply. Hick Hick Hick Paul W