Risk of exposure of laboratory staff to biological agents

Since the publication of our safety notice last year, HSE has continued receiving a high number of Dangerous Occurrences reported under RIDDOR from diagnostic laboratories.

Communication failures of relevant clinical information to laboratories are leading to the exposure of laboratory staff to high hazard biological agents.

With this in mind, please consider the content of the safety notice below and take the necessary actions, including raising awareness of this issue to relevant clinical teams.

Safety notice: risk of exposure of laboratory staff to biological agents

Originally issued: 11 November 2024

Workers at laboratories are being put at risk of infection because of missing information on specimen request forms

If specimen request forms do not provide sufficient clinical information, then laboratory staff cannot identify the appropriate safety measures they need to apply to control exposure and possible infection.

For example, specimens considered likely to contain Hazard Group 3 pathogens requiring propagation or culture must be processed within a containment level 3 laboratory.

HSE investigations have confirmed several occasions when workers have been exposed to pathogens capable of causing severe disease.

Action required

Duty holders should ensure that:

• specimen request forms contain all relevant clinical information
• laboratory staff act on clinical information provided
• record-keeping and IT systems are fit for purpose

For full details view the safety notice.