Hi Safety Folk

We have got the blood wagon coming to our distribution site next week, the Nation Blood Service website says and I quote "it's unwise to give blood just before undertaking a hazardous hobby or job, such as driving a crane or driving in the emergency services."

So what does this mean as an employer......

How long should people take before operating a fork lift truck, a powered pallet truck, general warehouse work. Is the cup of tea and a biscuit enough?

Where do we stand from a liablity point of view if someone has an accident several hours after giving blood?

We allow the staff to give blood in works time but how long do we need them not to undertake activity after giving blood.....

Your thoughts please

Mike

Mike
As for liability, that rests with the employer if someone is injured at work. Unless the Blood Service were proved negligent.
There is some after care and an assessment of the donor before they leave van to make sure that they are fit to leave.
I guess that the Blood Service have slipped the comment in about hazardous hobbies / jobs because of their concerns over liability / claims, but they still have a responsibility to the donor. Its the world we live in, claim claim claim.
I think the risks are minimal, I have never heard of any works accidents as result of donating blood.

Steve

It never ceases to amaze me how liability can be determined so easily! Of course it can't! I hate to state the obvious but the issue of liability is entirely dependant on the circumstances. The fact that the individual has given blood may be entirely irrelevant to any accident or incident in which a claimed or potential liability arises. It is quite possible that in the event of some incident/accident etc where there is an issue of liability that neither the employer nor the blood service may be liable. Sometimes employees are found to be liable! Liabilty, criminal or civil will either be admitted by a guilty plea (criminal)or accpetance of liability (civil) or determined by trial.