Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

DENTAL
Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1

a) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974..................................................................................1
b) COSHH..............................................................................................................................1
c) Environmental Protection Act 1990 (include special waste regs)......................................1
d) IR (ME) R (include local rules).........................................................................................2
e) RIDDOR.............................................................................................................................2
f) HTM 01-05.........................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
Workplace procedure..............................................................................................................2
Legislations related to workplace procedures........................................................................2
Reasons to follow workplace procedures...............................................................................2
Safe working methods and equipment...................................................................................2
Safe use of hazardous substance.............................................................................................2
Smoking, eating, drinking and drugs......................................................................................2
Emergency procedures...........................................................................................................2
Personal presentation..............................................................................................................2
Moving and Handling.............................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................2
Reasons to follow manufacturer’s instructions......................................................................2
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................2
Contribution in maintaining health and safety at workplace..................................................2

TASK 1
a) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This act is mainly incorporated under dental practices for promoting a safer healthier
workplace. As dental association, the main aim of it is to ‘Revitalizing Healthy and Safety
policies’ for workers’ safety. As here hazardous equipment and chemicals are used for treatment
procedure, therefore, it is essential for management to ensure that proper safety is promoted. For
this purpose, necessary training should be provided to staff members that enable them how to
work with such systems.
b) COSHH
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, also helps in promoting
safety at workplace. In dental association, it designed the entire system in a systematic manner
by protecting people against dangerous effects of chemicals, dust vapours, sterilisation
procedures and more.
c) Environmental Protection Act 1990 (include special waste regs)
This act states dental association to decompose both hazardous and non-hazardous
wastages in a proper manner. It would help in protecting people and environment from harmful
pollutants.
d) IR (ME) R (include local rules)
Ionisation Medical Exposure Regulation (IMER) include nuclear scans and x-rays as well
as radiotherapy treatment procedures. This act sets out roles and responsibilities of health
promoters for radiation protection by minimising incorrect medical exposures.
e) RIDDOR
It assists staff members under dental and medical associations to report immediately of
serious cases like- mercury spillage, sharp injury, accidents, failure of any equipment and more
to higher authorities.
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f) HTM 01-05
It includes a series of guidance related to decontamination to dental association, through
instructing testing and validation of ultrasonic cleaners, steam steriliser, washer disinfectors and
more.
TASK 2
Workplace procedure
It is considered as most important part which helps in ensuring proper safety and health at
premises. In dental association, it is designed in such a manner that any medical practices or
treatment could not harm visitors, staff members and others.
Legislations related to workplace procedures
It includes Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at
Work 1999, RIDDOR, Licensing Act 2003 and more.
Reasons to follow workplace procedures
For reducing occurrence of major accidents, sharp injury, protect staff members from
spillages, provide health and safety, it is essential for dental association to follow workplace
procedures.
Safe working methods and equipment
For infectious control and safety in dental practice, it is essential for duty holder under
dental association, to identify significant hazardous at workplace. Use proper gloves, masks,
aprons and more during specific treatments.
Safe use of hazardous substance
Chemicals like mercury and other should properly use and decompose, sterilising
procedures must be done properly, alcoholic wipes and other toxic materials should also be used
in appropriate manner.
Smoking, eating, drinking and drugs
It is strictly prohibited to intake smoking, eating, drinking and drugs under dental premises
for controlling hazardous situation.
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Emergency procedures
In case of any serious injury, hazardous situation, accidents and more, proper policies
should be made under dental associations.
Personal presentation
Doctors and all associated members in dental association must concern towards personal
hygiene. They should trim their nails, tie up hair and wear clean uniform during medical
practices.
Moving and Handling
Equipment and other medical procedures should be handled and moved properly for
prevention and safety.
TASK 3
Reasons to follow manufacturer’s instructions
Working at dental association and doing practices like cleaning and sterilising equipment, it
is essential for duty holders to follow manufacturer’s instruction. This would help in keeping and
promoting safety at workplace.
TASK 4
Contribution in maintaining health and safety at workplace
In maintaining health and safety at workplace, every associated member especially
cleaning department, contributes best efforts.
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