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Risk management & legal liability of waste management in healthcare : Infection control / Occupational Health perspective. Nell Browne Risk Consultant proactiversk@mweb.co.za 083-444-8694. Constitutional law. National law. Public law / Private law. Civil Claims. Administrative law. LRA
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Risk management & legal liability of waste management in healthcare :Infection control / Occupational Health perspective. Nell Browne Risk Consultant proactiversk@mweb.co.za 083-444-8694
Constitutional law National law Public law / Private law Civil Claims Administrative law • LRA • BCEA • OHSAct • Health Act • NEMA • NEMA: Air quality Bill Act Regulations Codes of Practice / guidelines
Key terms Hazard • source of, or exposure to danger Pure risk • Probability injury / ill health / damage will occur Pollution
Pollution Change in environment 1 Substances 2 Radioactive or other waves 3 Noise, odours, dust, heat Adverse effect • Human health / well being • Ecosystems • Materials valuable to man • Future
OHSAct S 16CEO duties • Properly discharge duties • Assign duty • Sec 37 - retain liability
Provide & maintain safe & healthy working environment Remove hazards Reduce risk Control risk Monitor controls Medical surveillance Inform Train Not permit contravention Enforce OHSAct S 8General duties of employers
OHSAct S 14General duties of employees • Reasonable care • Co-operate • Comply procedures • Report unsafe conditions • Report incidents / injury to self - same shift • S 15 Duty not to interfere / misuse
Unrecognised legal liability • Noise • > 85dB • Waste anaesthetic gases • Disposal of packaging materials • PVC packing sterile goods • > Growth thermoplastic polyesters • Low density polyethylene
Chemicals Duties of persons exposed • Prevent release • PPE • Personal monitors • Health evaluations Air monitoring Medical surveillance Records – 30 years.
Hazardous biological agents • Any micro-organism, cell culture, human endo-parasite, genetically modified • May cause infection, allergy, toxicity, or create hazard to human health
HBA regulations - 1 • Classification • Information & training • Duties of persons exposed • Risk assessment - employer • Monitoring exposure • Medical surveillance • Records – 40 years
HBA regulations - 2 • Control of exposure • PPE & facilities • Maintain control measures • Prohibitions • Labelling, packaging, transport & storage • Special measures • Disposal • Offences & penalties
OHSAct S 37Acts / Omissions • Employer / Employee- both may be convicted Criminal & Civil Liability
OHSAct S 38Offences & Penalties Employer- R100,000 / 2 years or both Employee- R50,000 / 1 year or both Additional fines – regulations CRIMINAL RECORD
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