I have caused some confusion - and I don't want a mass walk out of ambulance staff!!
They are actually tending to the casualty who may be amidst the chemical - Fire & Rescue will be doing the cleaning up after the casualty has been treated and removed. The ambulance staff would don the suit in order to protect themselves whilst seeing to the casualty.
The chemical could be anything being transported on the Island, and a full risk assessment has been carried out as part of our Major Incident Plan.
I am not concerned about the chemicals involved etc, and the suits have been purchased in line with national guidance on this PPE for ambulance staff according to our COSHH manager and Health & Safety Manager. I am only concerned with the fitness of staff to wear these suits, e.g. do they suffer from claustrophobia, or asthma etc, which may be exacerbated by wearing the suit and BA.
Sorry everyone I did not make myself clear. Thanks for those who have sent replies though, there is some useful stuff.
Su
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Tohill [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 January 2004 14:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Medicals for staff cleaning up chemical spillages
Why are Ambulance Staff cleaning up chemical spillages in the first place.
Who has asked them to do this?
I cover the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and this would certainly not
be within the job description of any Ambulance Staff.
What chemicals are involved?
Has a full COSHH risk assessment been performed?
There are a lot of unanswered questions in this.
Dr Martin Tohill
MB BCH BAO MRCGP AFOM DOccMed
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Porter Suzanne [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 January 2004 13:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Medicals for staff cleaning up chemical spillages
Hi All
Does anyone carry out medicals for ambulance staff who wear suits to clean
up chemical spillages? We are being asked to assess our ambulance staff and
I am as yet waiting to find out what sort of suit they will have to wear,
whether it involves full B.A., and whether any of the kit contains latex.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who is already doing this or who
has any advice.
Many thanks
Su Porter
Snr. Occupational Health Nurse Advisor
St. Mary's Hospital
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TG
01983 534209/534884
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