PERSONAL HYGIENE:
-Wash hands IMMEDIATELY with liquid soap and cold water until no stain on the skin is seen after exposure to mercury liquid or powder.
-Use disposable towels for drying
- Protect any cuts on the skin before starting any work involving mercury
- Wash hands with soap or detergent after using mercury
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in the surgery.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
-Efficient ventilation
- Floor coverings of linoleum or polyvinyl chloride type with a smooth surface. Textured floors and carpets SHOULD never be used
- Replace open shelving by closed cupboards
- Confine all operations involving the use of mercury to one room preferably other than the dental surgery.
- The use of disposable capsules containing amalgam alloy is recommended
- The area used for all mercury operations should be kept free from any other equipment and away from heat.
- The wall to bench junction should be sealed and covered to prevent mercury accumulating in inaccessible areas of the bench.
- As an additional precaution the working surfaces should be cleaned on a weekly basis with a mercury suppressant such as 1% suspension of calcium hydroxide/flowers of sulphur.
OPERATIVE PROCEDURES:
-Use a damp mop for cleaning. -NEVER use conventional vacuum cleaner as this will increase atmospheric concentration of mercury vapour.
- Carry out any operative procedures involving mercury over a drip tray lined with aluminium. Put amalgamators in a shallow tray, lined with foil, large enough to catch any spray droplets.
STORAGE:
-Store mercury in a well ventilated area away from the surgery. Mercury from spillages or amalgam residues should be stored in a well sealed container of 5% potassium permanganate solution or radiographic fixer. Waste mercury should not be poured down the sink or placed in open waste bins.
DISPOSAL OF WASTE AND CONTAMINATED MATERIALS:
-Store waste mercury as above.
-Articles contaminated with mercury should be kept in labelled polythene bags until disposable is possible.
-Used capsules should be sealed and disposed of with the clinical waste.
SPILLAGE:
- Never use vacuum cleaners and clean up IMMEDIATELY.
- All equipment for dealing with a spillage should be readily available and include DISPOSABLE PLASTIC GLOVES, PAPER TOWELS, BULB ASPIRATOR, SUITABLE SEALED CONTAINER AND MERCURY ABSORBENT PASTE (equal parts of calcium hydroxide and flowers of sulphur and water).
- Lead from radiographic packet is very useful for dealing with small spillages.
ROUTINE MONITORING:
- The simplest form of monitoring for dental workers is measurement of the level of mercury in the urine. This is considered by the Health and Safety Executive as satisfactory index of exposure.