Workplace Safety, Occupational Health and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities
Occupational hazards
Biological: needle-stick, TB, hepatitis B and C, HIV. Chemical: sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, mercury, cytotoxic drugs. Physical: manual handling injury, slips, falls, electrical and radiation exposure. Psychosocial: shift work, stress, verbal abuse and violence.
Controls you can apply
Hepatitis B vaccination, standard precautions, no recapping, sharps bins at eye level and filled only to three-quarters, gloves and eye protection for splashes, closed chemical systems, good ventilation, and correct lifting with help for dependent patients. Report every exposure and every incident.
Fire and electrical safety
RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish or Evacuate. PASS for an extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze, Sweep. Never use water on an electrical fire, never overload sockets, and report frayed cords. Know the exits and assembly point on your first day.
Legal and ethical duties
- Negligence means a breach of the duty of care that causes harm; documentation is the only reliable record.
- Informed consent belongs to the patient; the GDA supports the process but does not obtain consent for procedures.
- Maintain confidentiality; share information only with the treating team.
- Work strictly within scope, and refuse an unsafe task politely with a reason.
- Never sign for another person, never alter a record, and correct errors with a single line, initial and date.
- Report suspected abuse of children, women or the elderly under the relevant law; POCSO covers child sexual abuse.
- Do not accept gifts or money, and do not use a patient's phone or personal details.
Worked example
A doctor tells the GDA to give a patient an injection because the ward is busy. The GDA refuses politely, explains that injections are outside the GDA role, and informs the nurse in charge. Reasoning: the patient could be harmed and the GDA would be legally responsible.
Traps
Accepting a task beyond training, altering records, and discussing patients outside work.