Health and safety policy
At Dental Specialists Windsor our policy is to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees and self-employed members of the team as well as patients and members of the public who work within or visit our practice.
We will implement, maintain and review appropriate safe systems of work to control and reduce the health and safety risks arising from activities at the practice.
The team will be consulted on all matters affecting their health and safety. Any concerns raised will be investigated and appropriate actions taken.
Training will be provided to all team members for the understanding of health and safety issues and to ensure that they are competent to carry out their tasks.
We will provide and maintain safe equipment and ensure the safe use and handling of hazardous and non-hazardous substances. Suitable and sufficient precautions will be taken to prevent accidents and cases of work-related illness.
All staff will be made aware of this health and safety policy document, a copy of which is displayed prominently within the practice.
Breaches of health and safety rules may lead to action under the practice disciplinary procedure.
This policy will be kept up to date and will be reviewed annually and in any event of a significant change of working practises.
Responsibilities
The overall and final responsibility for health and safety issues in this practice lies with: Dr Sandra Pritlove-Carson
Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring that this policy is put into practice also lies with: Dr Sandra Pritlove-Carson
Responsibility for managing the practice and training lies with: Dr Sandra Pritlove-Carson
To ensure health and safety standards are maintained and improved Dr Sandra Pritlove-Carson is also the Clinical Governance Leader and Practice Radiation Protection Supervisor.
All employees and self-employed members of staff are responsible for their own health and safety and that of each other, all patients and visiting members of the public. They have to:
- Co-operate with the management on health and safety matters
- Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and or safety
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
- Report any incidents and health and safety concerns to: Dr Pritlove-Carson
AND The Health and Safety Executive
Priestly House, Priestly Road, Basingstoke RG24 9NW
Tel: 01256 404000
Accidents and emergencies
Mrs Amandeep Talwar is the qualified first-aider for this practice and whose help should be sought in case of emergency.
In the event of her absence, always call emergency services by dialling 999 or 112 from mobiles.
All accidents, work-related ill health and incidents are reported immediately to Dr Pritlove-Carson who will enter it in the accident report book and take the necessary actions.
Dr Pritlove-Carson is also responsible for reporting injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR) where necessary, to the enforcing authority. Accident reports are kept in a confidential file to comply with Data Protection requirements.
Consultation
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for consultation with members of staff on all health and safety related issues. It is carried out during regular practice meetings when staff members will have and additional opportunity to comment on the health and safety arrangements.
Contractors
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for monitoring the safe working practices of contractors on the premises. All contractors are expected to read and follow the practice Health and Safety Policy. The staff should draw Dr Pritlove-Carson’s attention to any breach by an external contractor.
Display screen equipment
Users of display screen equipment are appropriately trained on the health and safety aspects of this type of work. If you are classed as a continual user of DSE, eyesight tests will be arranged if requested and any necessary corrective eyewear is provided for use with DSE.
Equipment
The Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for all practice equipment which is maintained in good working order and repaired and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Where required the equipment is clearly labelled with health and safety warnings and staff are provided with adequate protection. Any problems with equipment should be reported to the Dr Pritlove-Carson. Equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
The Principal will check that all new equipment meets health and safety standards before it is purchased.
Electrical safety
Dr Pritlove-Carson performs regular visual inspections of all electrical equipment including portable appliances. Inspection and testing of portable appliances is performed within 5 years by an electrical contractor. Records of all inspections and testing are kept and maintained. Staff are not allowed to bring electrical appliances into work.
Fire safety
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for fire safety and any concerns should be raised with her.
Fire alarms are tested weekly and fire fighting equipment checked according to current guidelines.
Staff participate in fire drills and the records are kept in the Risk assessment file.
In cases of fire, staff should follow the actions described in the Fire Action notice which is displayed in the staff room and above fire-fighting equipment in hallways.
Hazardous substances
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
Staff are trained in the proper storage, use, handling, disposal, transporting (internally and externally) protective measures and emergency procedures for hazardous substances.
Any concerns regarding the effect of hazardous substances on the employee’s health should be addressed to Dr Pritlove-Carson
Infection control
Staff follow the Infection Control Policy at all times. Staff adhere to the HTM01-05 guidelines for infection control and take into account new developments in this area by keeping abreast of the current scientific literature and implementing new concepts of techniques as soon as they become available. If you have any questions about infection control contact the Infection Control Supervisor.
Information, instruction and supervision
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for arranging information, instruction and supervision. The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed at the practice in the staff room. Health and safety advice is available from HSE. Supervision of young workers and trainees will be arranged/undertaken/monitored by Dr Pritlove-Carson.
Manual handling
Staff are trained in correct manual handling techniques. If there is risk of injury the handling is avoided, if the handling cannot be avoided the risks are assessed before a suitable handling procedure is introduced to minimise the risk. Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for all manual handling and should be contacted if you have any questions.
Mercury
Although unmixed mercury is no longer used at the practice, staff should be aware that a mercury spillage kit is located in the cupboard in the staff room and each team member must familiarise themselves with its use. All waste amalgam from both the amalgam carriers and the trap in the suction unit must be disposed of appropriately.
MonitoringDr Pritlove-Carson will check that safe working practices are being followed and will investigate accidents, work related causes of sickness absences and is responsible for acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence.
Pressure vessels
Pressure vessels including autoclaves and compressors are serviced, tested and inspected in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. All team members are trained in the safe use of the equipment. Pressure vessels insurance is in place. Any questions should be addressed to Dr Pritlove-Carson who is responsible for equipment.
Prescription drugs – the storage, dispensing and disposal of
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for the storage, dispensing and disposal of all prescription drugs – none are stored within the surgery.
The Emergency Drugs Kit is stored in the staff room, which is locked at all times, and only accessed by staff.
The Emergency Drugs are checked fortnightly and a log kept.
Risk assessment
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for risk assessment and ensuring that any actions identified are implemented. The assessments will be reviewed on an annual basis or whenever there is a significant change in working practices. Control measures will be monitored to assess the effectiveness.
The safe use of x-ray
The radiation protection Advisor is: DBG Ltd, Norfolk House, Bostock Road, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 3BD Tel: 0845 0066 112 Email: rps@thedbg.co.uk
The radiation protection supervisor at the practice is Dr Pritlove-Carson
The medical physics expert is DBG Ltd.
A safety test is performed on all x-ray equipment every three years by DBG Ltd.
The x-ray equipment is served in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions by DBG Ltd. The Radiation Protection file is kept with the Health and Safety File.
Safety equipment/clothing
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible for safety equipment. This includes the provision, use and storage of masks, goggles, gloves, patient bibs and other safety equipment.
Any problem with equipment should be reported immediately to Dr Pritlove-Carson
Waste
Dr Pritlove-Carson is responsible arranging the storage and disposal of waste.
This includes training, supervision and monitoring.
Practice waste is divided into clinical, hazardous, hygienic and office/kitchen waste.
Workplace safety
Dr Pritlove-Carson regularly inspects the workplace and maintains inspection records. Any health and safety risks are identified and removed or reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
Competency for tasks and training
Dr Pritlove-Carson will provide induction and job specific training. Training records are kept confidentially with the staff members file. Health and safety training needs will be identified and training will be arranged by Dr Pritlove-Carson.
For any further information please contact Dr Pritlove-Carson by Email: info@dentalspecialistswindsor.co.uk