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Occupational Medicine 1997;47:147-150
© 1997 Society of Occupational Medicine

research-article

Risks associated with occupational glass injury in bar staff with special consideration of hepatitis B infection

W. McLean*, J. P. Shepherd*,, C. R. Brann* and D. Westmoreland{dagger}

* Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY, UK
{dagger} Department of Medical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, University of Wales College of Medicine Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY, UK

Since bar workers often sustain cuts from unwashed bar glasses, the aims of this study were to investigate risk of injury and to examine the sero-prevalence of markers for hepatitis B amongst bar staff. Ninety-one bar staff recruited by newspaper advertisement were asked about injury experience and life-style risks associated with transmission of hepatitis B and were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core antibody (anti-HBc). Seventy-four per cent reported lacerations from broken glassware at work: 18% had sustained such injuries in more than 10 incidents. Fifty-five per cent of respondents reported occupational skin contact with body fluids. Anti-HBc prevalence for the study group was 1.1%, suggesting that bar staff were not at increased risk from hepatitis B infection. Although 30% wore gloves for high-risk tasks, there was no evidence that glove wearing prevented glass lacerations. This level of injury experience and exposure to body fluids is unacceptable and represents a potential risk of cross-infection. Hepatitis B immunization should be considered in this group. Urgent action, including the replacement, wherever possible, of annealed with tempered bar-glassware, is necessary to protect bar workers from glass injury.

Keywords      Cross-infection; glass; hepatitis B; injury

Received        9 September 1996
Accepted       13 December 1996

Correspondence and reprint requests to: Professor Jonathan Shepherd, Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY, UK. Tel and Fax: (+44) 222 742442


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