INTRODUCTION
The main hazards encountered in funeral service activities are the risk of infection, manual handling and exposure to hazardous substances/chemicals. The risk of infection arises from the small proportion (less than 1%) of the 600,000 people who die each year in the UK who have a known or suspected infectious disease. (Where embalming forms the main activity, the health & safety enforcement responsibility lies with the HSE).
HAZARDS & PRECAUTIONS
1. Risk of Infection
Pathogens are ever present in bodies and it is therefore prudent to follow safe working practices routinely when handling cadavers. The main risk areas arise from the purging of stomach contents and faeces, blood on skin/leaking wounds and from clothing stained with faeces, blood or other body fluids. The main transmission pathways for infection are through direct contact, inoculation (e.g. needle pricks), inhalation (.eg. aerosol and dust containing bacteria), ingestion (e.g. not washing hands before eating), and eye contamination (e.g. splashing). The main infection concerns are TB, invasive Group A streptococci/staphylococci, gastrointestinal organisms, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Hepatitis B & C, HIV and meningitis/meningococcal septicaemia. Suitable precautions should be identified and incorporated into written working procedures. They should include:
- a high standard of personal hygiene
- use of appropriate protective garments (gloves, gowns, aprons, masks & boots) NB: Associated facilities needed for storage, cleaning and disposal of these articles.
- efficient and prompt cleaning, including the use of a disinfectant on contaminated premises and equipment
- provision of suitable first aid facilities; covering cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings
- correct "sharps" disposal containers and procedures; also "sharps" injury procedure
- the status of immunisation of staff against certain infectious diseases needs to be established and appropriate protection ensured against TB, polio, tetanus, diptheria and hepatitis A & B
- the use of body bags. This may be advisable for cadavers with diptheria, dysentery, meningococcal septicaemia, typhoid and paratyphoid fever, TB, hepatitis B & C etc.
2. Manual Handling
Lifting should be avoided whenever possible and hoists used. However, when collecting bodies this may not prove possible and hence the activity should be assessed under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Safe working procedures should be adopted and staff training ensured.
3. Hazardous Substances/Chemicals
COSHH assessments will need to be made where hazards arise from micro-organisms (see above) or from hazardous chemicals such as disinfectants (e.g. gluteraldehyde) or embalming fluids (e.g. formaldehyde).
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