Operating Theatre Clinical Safety SWMS
Operating-theatre clinical-staff safety — scavenging of waste anaesthetic gases, surgical-plume evacuation, sharps passing protocol, radiation exposure from image-intensifiers, laser-surgery eyewear, patient-transfer ergonomics.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Operating-theatre clinical work exposes staff to waste anaesthetic gases, surgical plume biohazards, ionising radiation from image-intensifiers, Class 4 surgical lasers, sharps injuries and patient-transfer musculoskeletal risk. WHS Act 2011 s.19 requires PCBUs to eliminate or minimise these risks so far as is reasonably practicable, with documented SWMS for HRCW.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Reproductive harm, neurological effects, chronic exposure illness
HPV transmission, respiratory disease, occupational cancer
Cumulative dose exceeding annual limits, cancer risk
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Active scavenging system on every anaesthetic machine; quarterly atmospheric monitoring against WHS Reg Schedule 10 limits.
- 2Local exhaust plume evacuator within 2cm of diathermy tip; ULPA filtration; N95 respirator backup.
- 3Lead aprons 0.35mm Pb, thyroid shields, OSL dosimetry; rotate staff; pulsed fluoroscopy mode mandatory.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Theatre mechanical ventilation and anaesthetic gas scavenging requirements
Reprocessing reusable medical devices, sharps handling protocol
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Waste anaesthetic agents and bone-cement methyl methacrylate are Schedule 10 hazardous chemicals.
Surgical plume contains viable HPV, HIV aerosols and carcinogenic compounds requiring documented biohazard controls.
SWMS mandatory before work starts; stop-work if controls fail (Reg 291).
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule
- ✓Theatre hazard register
- ✓Worker sign-on register
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s.19 primary duty
- WHS Regulations 2011 Part 7.1 hazardous chemicals
- Radiation Protection Series RPS 14