RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Illnesses and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) reportable contaminated sharps injury.

A RIDDOR and GMO exposure report (CU3) were sent to the HSE in Sep 2023, as per requirements under the RIDDOR 2013 (9) and GMO Contained Use Regulations 2014 (22), following an GMO virus exposure incident.

The subsequent HSE investigation found that although systems were in place for risk assessments and training of staff, there were deficiencies (breaches of H&S legislation) identified  – specifically,  under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulation (1999) 5(1).

Health and safety arrangements

5.— (1) Every employer shall make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate, having regard to the nature of his activities and the size of his undertaking, for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring, and review of the preventive and protective measures

Two actions were identified for Queen Mary University of London (all UK campuses). The response identifying the action plan below was sent by Prof Colin Bailey (Principal and President of Queen Mary) to the HSE on 24^th Jan 2024.

Action 1 – Altered risk assessments:

To ensure that following an alteration of a risk assessment, a system is implemented so that

• all staff affected by the work have received the updated risk assessment, and
• have been recorded as ‘read and understood’ the updated risk assessment.

Action 2 – Refresher Training:

To ensure all staff involved in the work have received

• the necessary mandatory refresher training, as identified in time frequency specified (in the Queen Mary H&S Training policy and/or departmental policy), and
• that it is documented in an appropriate location (i.e. in the prescribed Queen Mary system).

The full briefing report, actions and further procedural guidance.

ACTION: It is recommended that Queen Mary Schools / Institutes / Directorates report compliance on the actions to their Faculty or Directorate Health & Safety Management Groups.

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