Funeral directors and embalmers have close contact with cadavers and body fluids, which leaves them at risk of sharps injuries and bloodborne infections. Sharps injuries can transmit bloodborne viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. There is also the risk that a serious sharps cut can damage a tendon or nerve, which can …
New Australia Standards AS 3825:2020 Procedures and Devices for the Removal, Containment and Disposal of Scalpel Blades
In December 2020 Standards Australia published AS 3825:2020 Procedures and devices for the removal, containment and disposal of scalpel blades from scalpel handles to replace the 1998 version, AS/NZS 3825:1998. This revision enabled the inclusion of new information and the removal of one outdated section based on the latest published data to ensure optimal safety …
World Health Organisation: 2021 is the International Year of Health Care Workers
To bring to light the dedication of healthcare workers worldwide throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation has designated 2021 as the International Year of Health and Care Workers. Recognising the risks that healthcare workers face everyday is a start. Although hazards are present in every workplace and are a threat to everyone’s …
10 Christmas Gifts for the Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic: Nurses
With the whiff of uncertainty and the plight of the epidemic hovering over this year, it is no surprise that the healthcare workers have had to learn to adapt and grow during these challenging times with utmost vigilance and unwavering strength. This Christmas let us acknowledge the grace and generosity of our valued nurses by …
World Health Organization’s Number 1 Goal: Prevent Sharps Injuries
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risks and challenges that healthcare workers face every day. This includes injuries, infections, violence, and avoidable safety-related incidents. Due to the stressful environment that these workers struggle with, they are more prone to errors which can lead to patient harm. The World Health Organisation’s World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) …
Preventing the Risk of Scalpel Injuries to Livestock Handlers
Livestock handlers undertake surgical castration with scalpels to remove testicles from male animals such as cows or swine. Livestock handlers are often exposed to occupational health risks of scalpel cuts and injuries during castration procedures. As sharps injuries have been observed in veterinarian practices associated with large animals, it is important for livestock handlers to …