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Safe Working Practices - Coggle Diagram
Safe Working Practices
Purpose & Stages of Risk Assessments
Purpose (Why dental practices must carry them out)
Create & maintain a healthier work
environment by identifying and managing hazards
Reduce the risk of harm
to staff, pts and visitors
Meet legal responsibilities
under Health & Safety Law, GDC standards & CQC inspections
Prevent accidents, injuries, & illnesses by proactively finding & fixing risks
Support safe, high-quality dental care (
GDC Principles 1 + 8
)
Stages of the Risk Assessment Process
2. Assess the Risks
Consider likelihood + severity
Prioritise high-risk hazards
3. Control the Risks
Use the
Hierarchy of Control:
eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, admin controls, PPE
4. Record the Findings
Document hazards, risks, control measures, and who is responsible
5. Review the controls
Regularly review (at least annually) or after accidents/changes
1. Identify the Hazards
Biological (blood, aerosols), chemical (disinfectants, mercury), physical (slips, trips), ergonomic, psychological (stress)
Ergonomics Within the Dental Practice
A) Stock - Storage & Handling/Lifting
Follow manual handling regulations (MHOR 1992)
-Store stock safely, rotate stock (expiry dates)
Use correct lifting techniques (Plan, Position, Pick, Proceed, Place)
Prevent back injuries by avoiding awkward lifting & twisting
B) Positioning
ii. Four-Handed Dentistry / Instrument Passing
Nurse positioned opposite dentist depending on dentists handedness
Instruments passed efficiently to reduce fatigue & awkward movements
Improves workflow & reduces musculoskeletal strain
iii. Aspirator Tip Placement
Use correct grip (thumb-to-nose grasp)
Place tip close to tooth without touching gingiva
Maintain clear field of vision & pt comfort
i. Seating of Patient & Dental Team
Pt:
neutral head position, chair adjusted for comfort & stability
Dental team:
maintain neutral posture, feet flat on the floor, avoid twisting, use ergonomic seating
iv. Repetitive Strain Injuries / Musculoskeletal Disorders
Caused by repetitive tasks, poor posture, prolonged static positions
Prevention: ergonomic seating, stretching, micro breaks, correct posture, reduced repetitive strain
Safe Working Practices & Their Importance
b) Spillages (mercury, body fluids, chemicals)
ii) Safety Signs
Warn others and isolate the area
iii) PPE
Gloves, mask, apron; use appropriate PPE depending on spillage
i) Spillage Kits
Must be accessible and fully stocked
Mercury kits include amalgam absorbents and PPE
iv) Ventilation
Open windows or use extraction to disperse fumes
v) Reporting
Report all spills to the appropriate staff member/H&S lead
vi) Record Keeping
Document type of spill, location, actions taken, injuries/exposures
c) Fire Safety
iii) Types of Extinguishers
Water - paper/wood
Foam - flammable liquids
CO2 - electrical/equipment fires
Powder - mixed fire types
v) Fire Drills & Alarm Testing
Conduct regular drills
Ensure alarms work
Staff must know their role
ii) Location of Extinguishers
Staff must know where extinguishers are placed
iv) Action in Event of Fire
Raise alarm
Evacuate using nearest exit (no lifts)
Assist vulnerable pts
Call emergency services
Never re-enter until safe
i) Assembly Points
Know the designated meeting area outside the building
f) Actions & Behaviour
ii) Fitness to Practise
Maintain professional behaviour, skills & competence
Includes mental & physical capacity
iii) Physical & Mental Health
Maintain good health
Manage stress
Ask for support if needed
i) Staff Induction / Training Policy
Must understand workplace policies, procedures and H&S expectations
iv) Personal Hygiene
Regular handwashing
Clean uniform
Cleaning workspaces
v) Training (Current, Relevant, Up-to-date)
CPD, equipment training, infection control updates
Ensures safe & effective practice
a) Hazardous Substances ( e.g., Sodium Hypochlorite, mercury)
ii) Storage
Store in labelled, airtight containers
Keep away from heat sources / incompatible substances
iii) Disposal
Dispose according to regulations; never pour down drain
Use correct clinical waste streams
i) Safe Use
Wear appropriate PPE (gloves, mask, goggles)
Ensure good ventilation
Follow COSHH guidance
e) Infection Control
iv) Cross-Contamination Between Zones
Follow correct decontamination pathways
Use PPE & hand hygiene
v) Sharps Handling & Disposal
Follow Sharps Directive: one person handles sharps
Dispose immediately in rigid sharps bins
i) Barrier Techniques & Zoning
PPE, gloves, masks, eyes
Clean-dirty airflow direction
Separation of clean vs contaminated areas
vi) Disposal of Waste
Use correct waste steams (orange, yellow, tiger stripe, blue etc)
Correct container design and labelling
iii) National Colour-Coding System
Red:
Sanitary areas
Blue:
General areas
Green:
Kitchens
Yellow:
Clinical areas
vii) Uniform
Change out of uniform before leaving the practice
Keep uniform clean, maintain high hygiene standards
ii) Waterline Maintenance / Biofilm / Legionella
Regular flushing
Use disinfectants
Test waterlines
d) Maintenance & Testing
iii) Oxygen Cylinders
Check pressure, leaks, valve condition
Store safely (cool, ventilated)
iv) Pressure Vessel Tests
Required for autoclaves & oxygen cylinders
Hydrostatic testing at correct intervals
ii) Compressors
Check pressure, maintain filters, service regularly
i) Autoclaves
Biological & chemical indicator tests
Regular servicing and cleaning