New guidance for those handling the deceased

There are a number of deaths in the UK each year that are related to infectious diseases in addition at time of death some people may be carrying infectious diseases that are undiagnosed or unrelated to their deaths.

It is important that the risk of infection is managed for those whose work involves handling the deceased, which includes those working in the hospital / care premises, mortuaries, funeral services and in a small number of cases exhumation work.

This new guidance combines and updates two previous HSE guides (“Safe working and the prevention of infection in the mortuary and post-mortem room” and “Controlling the risks of infection at work from human remains”) and is structured to reflect the pathway of the deceased from death through to burial, cremation and, where required, exhumation, considering the risks along that pathway.

You can find out more and download the guidance from the HSE website at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/books/hsg283.htm