Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Protocols Title Document Details Pest Control Policy Trust Ref No 1942-25752 Local Ref (optional) Main points the document covers Prevention and control of pests found in the Trust s premises Who is the document aimed at? All Departments Author Paul Cooper Estates Advisor Approval Process Approved by Quality & Safety Committee (Committee/Director) Approval Date 17 November 2014 Initial Equality Impact Screening Full Equality Impact Assessment Lead Director Director of Finance Category Estates Sub Category Review Date 16 November 2017 Distribution Who the policy will be distributed to Method Required by CQC Required by NHSLA Other Date Hospital Managers Hotel Service Managers Site/Building Managers Electronically to managers and available on Trust website Document Links Amendments History Amendment Pest Control Policy Page 1 v3 16.10.14
Contents 1. Introduction... 3 2. Purpose... 3 3. The Pest Presence... 4 4. Organisational Responsibilities... 4 4.1 Managers... 4 4.2 Employees... 5 4.3 Contractors... 5 4.4 Patients and Visitors... 5 5. Pest Control Services... 5 6. Reporting Arrangements... 5 7. Nominated Officer... 6 8. Inspections and Reports... 6 9. Method of Operation... 6 10. Rodenticides and Pesticides... 7 11. Training... 8 12. Prevention... 8 13. Control... 9 Pest Control Policy Page 2 v3 16.10.14
1. Introduction The Pest Control Management Policy applies to all premises and staff employed by Shropshire Community Health Trust. The Trust has a wide range of teams and services operating from a large number of properties making up our overall estate. The Trust will ensure that all parts of the premises in which it provides healthcare are suitable for purpose, are kept clean and maintained in good physical repair and condition. The Trust will ensure a consistent, robust and designed approach to the management of pest infestation and preventative measures. The Trust has made a commitment to manage all of its estates and all tasks carried out within, in a safe and appropriate manner to reduce the risk to health of all staff, patients and visitors. In order to implement this policy effectively there is a need to encourage all staff to play their part in the organisation s overall goal. Senior management will be seen to take the lead in implementing and encouraging Pest Control awareness into everyday activities. 2. Purpose It is the intention of this policy to provide guidance to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to comply with the duty to manage pest activity within the Trust and to comply with pest control related legislation, approved codes of practice, guidance and relevant standards. Pest control is required to:- prevent spread of disease prevent wastage and contamination of food prevent damage comply with the law If pests become established they can prove difficult and costly to deal with. Satisfactory standards of pest control in both clinical and non-clinical areas are an integral part of providing the optimum safe environment for the delivery of high quality patient care. Pest Control Policy Page 3 v3 16.10.14
The Trust recognises its legal obligation to undertake all necessary measures to prevent and manage the risk of pest infestation in all food storage, distribution and catering areas. The Trust will ensure high standards of pest control in all other areas of its premises and sites. The Trust, assisted by its contractors, will deploy and monitor procedures and management systems to rid Trust owned and leased premises of existing infestation and ensure that this position is maintained. Where Trust staff work in premises provided by a third party the Trust will work proactively with the third party to ensure satisfactory pest control measures are in place. 3. The Pest Presence Hospitals, in particular catering areas, provide ideal conditions for the survival and multiplication of pests. Cockroaches, houseflies, ants, insects and mites, rodents [especially mice], cats and birds can spoil and will contaminate food, and thereby transmit infections. They can arrive at the premises in food deliveries or the supply of equipment or simply be attracted by favourable conditions provided to them. Later they may move or be carried to previously un-infested areas in food trolleys etc, presenting a health risk to both patients and staff. 4. Organisational Responsibilities Everyone is responsible for complying with the organisation s arrangements for the management of Pest Control, including the implementation of local management controls. In order to comply with this policy, all staff must be aware of the lines of communication and levels of responsibility which exist to ensure that all matters of Pest Control management are dealt with effectively. 4.1 Managers All managers are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the policy within their specific area of responsibility, ensuring that:- Risk assessments in relation to Pest Control are carried out, recorded and reviewed regularly Pest Control management procedures and safe working practices resulting from them are produced, documented and implemented for their area Regular monitoring is undertaken and findings recorded Pest Control Policy Page 4 v3 16.10.14
4.2 Employees All employees have an individual responsibility for Pest Control management in line with their duties and working environment. Each employee or agent of the organisation has an individual responsibility to:- Co-operate with the organisation s management in the implementation of this policy Report any poor management of pest control to their supervisor/manager Report any pest activity To undergo appropriate training as required 4.3 Contractors Other employers, contractors or individuals providing goods and/or services to the Trust shall be required to comply with Trust policies and procedures with regard to the management and disposal of waste. 4.4 Patients and Visitors Patients and visitors will be alerted of all procedures in place for the safe management of all waste and will be expected to comply with all reasonable requests, relevant guidance and procedures that are pertinent to them whilst on our sites. 5. Pest Control Services These are undertaken by Specialist Contracts under contractual arrangements. Departmental Managers must be aware of the contract terms and specifications, and must liaise with the authorised nominated officer for pest control co-ordination within the Trust. Successful pest control demands specialist knowledge of pests and pesticides. With the exception of locally-approved aerosol insecticides, pesticides must not be used by untrained staff or others. 6. Reporting Arrangements All sightings of pests or evidence of their existence should be reported in the first instance to the Estates Helpdesk on 01785 221333. (Opening hours Monday to Thursday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm and Friday 8.30 am to 4.00 pm.) If the pest infestation is classed as an emergency and is outside of normal working hours for the Estates Helpdesk please call 07850 771 882. Pest Control Policy Page 5 v3 16.10.14
The following information must be provided in all instances:- The location ie ward, department, clinic etc Precise location ie bathroom, office etc The type of pest, if known Possible numbers and the frequency of sighting The name of the person reporting The date and time of the sighting Action taken following a notification will be recorded in the pest control logbooks held on site 7. Nominated Officer The Nominated Officer for co-ordinating all pest control within a building is the Estates Advisor. Within specific departments throughout the site the local manager/supervisor and nominated officer are responsible for the day-to-day activities of pest control, such as reporting of sightings etc. 8. Inspections and Reports The Nominated Officer will follow a planned programme of inspection for pest infestations, including areas such as plant rooms and ducting. Quarterly reports will be sent to the Chief Executive. The report is to give detail on action(s) taken to combat pest infestation, and provide an assessment of the current situation and proposals for any further action(s) needed. The quarterly reports should include inspection findings and should be made available for pest control officers/tenders. The Estates Manager will annually report to the Infection Prevention & Control Group, by way of a written report on all matters of pest control including standards. 9. Method of Operation Records of treatment must be kept and such records must record the nature of infestations, the treatment, the dosage used, who carried out the treatment, date and time of treatment, and which local staff were informed that treatment had taken place, and also advising what instructions had been given to the local staff. A copy must be given to the Department Manager where the infestation occurred. All current treatment is carried out by the employment of specialist contractors for pest control work. Pest Control Policy Page 6 v3 16.10.14
All Contracts are let from a detailed specification of work required, by means of a Pretender Survey by Recognised Specialist Contractors. It is essential that the person who writes up the invitation to tender understands the significance of the specifications in the model contract, and that those adjudicating the tender understand what is being offered to ensure the contract is awarded to the contractor who is capable of doing the job properly. In cases of difficulty with rodents the Chief Environmental Health Officer should be consulted and disinfestations programme agreed. Chief Environmental Health Officers are normally able to provide all the guidance necessary for dealing with pests. The Nominated Officer for co-ordinating all pest control within a building is the Estates Advisor. Within specific departments throughout the site the local manager/supervisor and nominated officer are responsible for the day-to-day activities of pest control, such as reporting of sightings etc. 10. Rodenticides and Pesticides General Purpose Rodenticides Trade name Active ingredient Clearance Solo blox Brodifacoum 0.005% HSE 7038 Klerat Brodifacoum 0.005% HSE 6703 Contac Blox Bromadiolone0.005% HSE 6718 Roban Okta Blok Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 7474 Paragon Difenacoum Bait Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 8200 Roban Contact Gel Difenacoum 0.1% HSE 8378 Deadline Contact Dust Bromadiolone 0.15% HSE 6722 Roban Pasta Bait Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 8116 Sakarat D Wax Bait Difenacoum 0.005% HSE 7489 Roban Concentrate Difenacoum 0.25% HSE 7452 General Purpose Insecticides Trade name Active ingredient Clearance EcoAlpha Alpha-cypermethrin 5% HSE 7680 Tetramethrin 5% Ficam W Bendiocarb 80% HSE 5390 Aquapy Synergised pyrethrins HSE5799 Ficam D Bendiocarb 1% HSE 4829 Dia -Secticide Diatomaceous Earth Diatom Exempt Digrain Ant Gel Permethrin 0.5% HSE7621 Maxforce White IC Imidaclorid 2.15% HSE 8320 Digrain Control Tetramethrin 0.24% HSE7493 Permethrin 0.25% Digrain One Shot Permethrin 1.46% HSE7711 Pest Control Policy Page 7 v3 16.10.14
Sorex Wasp Nest Destroyer MK2 Tetramethrin 0.05% HSE 8275 11. Training The Nominated Officer (e.g. Site Manager, Hotel Services Manager, etc). for pest control measures will need training in basic pest control procedures and awareness. All staff that have an involvement with pest control (catering, domestic, estates etc) should receive refresher courses on recognition of pests, signs of their infestation, pest control and procedures. All catering staff must receive similar training as above in their food hygiene training course. No staff should use pesticides without first receiving recognised training and approval. 12. Prevention Staff should report any sightings or signs of infestation via the Estates Helpdesk on 01785 221333. Example Indicators of Infestation Gnaw markings on doors or woodwork Trails Holes in food containers: boxes, packets etc Gnawing of electrical cables and equipment Droppings Visual lice or dead bodies, including insect eggs Smears around pipe and holes (these indicate rat runs) Food Safety Food must always be kept covered and protected from flies. Never leave uncovered food in a kitchen overnight. (Most pests will only come out at night.) Keep high-risk food covered in a refrigerator and store dry goods in moisture and pest-proof containers. Keep rubbish bins covered, and take all rubbish out of the kitchen/food areas at the end of each day. Pest Control Policy Page 8 v3 16.10.14
Cleaning Effective cleaning schedules should be in operation to ensure all surfaces are clean, including floors and walls. Dirt and grease can collect in inaccessible areas which the pests can easily reach. Ensure all corners and backs of units and equipment are also cleaned. Wash up all plates, cutlery and utensils, and then dry them properly. Never leave dirty plates overnight in the kitchen! Food All deliveries, food stock and premises should be inspected regularly to ensure there are no signs of pest infestation. All good should have a good system of stock rotation. All food spillages should be cleared-up immediately. All foodstuffs should be stored in containers with tight-fitting lids. Housekeeping/Maintenance Seal all cracks and crevices in walls where pipes pass through. Put thick metal kick plates at the base of external doors. Raise food products off the floor (for example using pallets) to make nesting of rodents more difficult For flying insects, fine mesh screen must be placed over opening windows and ventilators. Insectocutors will be provided in the main kitchen. Do not allow anyone to feed birds and stray animals, regardless of weather conditions and sentimentality. 13. Control Obviously prevention is better than cure. However, despite the best intentions, infestation may eventually take place. At this stage physical and chemical control measures need to be taken. The advantage of a physical method is that the pest will be killed in a pre-determined place making the disposal of bodies easier eg mouse traps, electrocution grids. When these methods fail to control the infestation or a large infestation is discovered then chemicals are used. These must be left to the expertise of the specialist pest control firm Pest Control Policy Page 9 v3 16.10.14