Hospital staff came into contact with hazardous bacteria
Getty ImagesNHS Grampian failed to ensure the health and safety of workers when laboratory staff in Aberdeen came into contact with hazardous bacteria, BBC Scotland News has learned.
Staff in the microbiology lab at the main Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) Foresterhill complex were exposed to bacteria from what are known as category three biological agents during the incident in February.
These can cause severe disease in humans and pose a serious hazard to employees working with them in laboratories or clinical settings.
Staff received treatment to prevent any further infection risk. The health board has apologised.
The incident arose because lab staff were not given sufficient information that would have allowed them to take protective measures.
The case emerged after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued an improvement notice.
An investigation highlighted a failure to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees.
The HSE identified failures including a lack of effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review procedures when dealing with samples which may contain group three biological agents.
The exact type has not been specified, but category three agents include pathogens such as mycobacterium tuberculosis - which causes tuberculosis - and salmonella.
'No wider risk'
Geraldine Fraser, chief officer for the acute sector with NHS Grampian, said: "This notice relates to an incident whereby insufficient information on a patient sample for testing meant laboratory staff were not able to take all the correct precautions for their own safety.
"We take the safety of all staff at work seriously and we apologise to those involved.
"We can confirm there is no risk of any harm to patients or the wider public."
She added: "We have accepted the notice and are working on an action plan to ensure it is complied with."
