Plain-English explanations of the technical terms and legislation used in this document.
- Anatomical waste
- Waste containing recognisable body tissue, which must be disposed of by a separate route.
- Blood-borne virus
- An infection carried in blood, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV, which can be passed on by a needlestick injury.
- Category B specimen (UN3373)
- The transport label used for ordinary patient samples, setting out how they must be packed.
- Consignment note
- The paperwork proving that clinical waste was collected by a licensed contractor and disposed of lawfully.
- COSHH
- The rules covering work with substances hazardous to health, such as the preservative used for specimens.
- Formaldehyde / formalin
- The chemical used to preserve tissue specimens. Its vapour irritates the eyes and airways.
- Inoculation injury
- An injury where a contaminated sharp breaks the skin.
- Neutral zone
- An agreed place on the trolley where sharps are put down and picked up, so they are never passed hand to hand.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis
- Treatment given soon after a possible exposure to reduce the chance of infection taking hold.
- Residual risk
- The risk that is left once the existing controls are working.
- RIDDOR
- The regulations requiring certain workplace injuries and dangerous events to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
- Safer sharps device
- An instrument designed with a built-in guard or retracting blade to reduce the chance of injury.
- Safety data sheet
- The manufacturer's document setting out a chemical's hazards and what to do after exposure or a spill.