Mon 26 Jul 2010
The Health Protection Agency’s Centre for Infections in Colindale has come under the scanner for exposing its employees to a health risk of E coli.
It was found that a bacterial spill containing E coli occurred during waste disposal in October 2007. Eschericia coli is a highly infective bacterium that can cause death. It is very important that organisations dealing with biological materials be aware and trained about health risks and contamination. Suitable and efficient handling processes are required to keep the environment free from such hazards.
E coli belongs to the Hazard Group 3 under the classification biological agents deemed as hazards. While category 4 is the most infective, category 1 is the mildest one. HSE Inspector Jennifer Higham observed that the Health Protection Agency had failed to carry out a simple preventive measure while disposing biological waste and exposed its employees and their families to a potential risk of the deadly E coli infection.
The Agency came under prosecution by HSE. HPA pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at City of
HPA’s error lay in improper training of personnel to exercise necessary precautions as per the standard operating instructions. If only the employees were more careful, the potential threat could be completely avoided. What was surprising was that though parts of the machinery used in disposal were declared defective almost eighteen months earlier, the company had not managed to set it right.
Biological material handling is a sensitive procedure requiring strict guidelines and implementation. Improper disposal or contamination would not only affect the employees but also cause a potential threat to their families who may get infected too.
Accredited courses leading to the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health are designed to help those with health and safety responsibilities to carry out their duties at work more effectively and to protect the organisations for which they work. Click NEBOSH Training to learn more on the management of safety and health.
