The document discusses health and safety risks in a mortuary environment. It identifies potential biological hazards from human remains including bacteria, infectious spores, and chemical residues. Pathogens can be transmitted through air, direct contact, or mucous membranes. The document provides guidelines for proper personal protective equipment, hygiene practices, illness prevention through vaccinations, safe preparation and storage of remains, and equipment handling to reduce health and safety risks for mortuary workers.

1. Health and safety in the
mortuary

2. Safety
• The mortuary presents a
number of health and
safety risks for personnel.
This includes risks of
illness and accident related
to working conditions, as
well as risks specific to
working with human
remains.
• Simple common-sense
approaches to working in
the mortuary will reduce
risks to a minimum.

3. Hazards
• Human remains are a
potential biohazard, and
can host various
pathogens and hazardous
residues.
• Bacteria
• Infectious spores
• Infectious soft tissue
• Residues of military and
industrial chemicals

4. Transmission of pathogens
• Airborne
• Hand to mouth
• Directly into bloodstream
• Contac with mucus membranes
• Additional risks: handling heavy
bodies, using dangerous
equipment
• Following health and safety
procedures will reduce the risk
of becoming ill or unsafe when
working in the mortuary.

5. Contents
• Preparation and Storage of
Human Remains
• Clothing
• Hygiene
• Illness and Vaccinations
• Equipment

6. Preparation & storage
• The mortuary should have two
areas: one clean, one dirty.
• The dirty area should be
subdivided into wet and dry.
• The two areas must be clearly
demarcated.
• Bodies, equipment, and people
from each area should never
cross into the other.
• A body should never go to the
dry area before it has been
cleaned and any soft tissue
removed.

7. Storing human remains
• All human remains should
be stored in air conditioned
facilities, at the least.
• Once removed, soft tissue
should be stored in a
refrigerator or freezer.
• Follow procedures on
correct disposal of
biohazardous material.

8. PPE
• Personal Protection
Equipment (PPE) is any
equipment or clothing worn
to protect people from risks
to health and safety.
• In addition, extra PPE
should be worn in specific
DNA areas for extra
protection, and when
taking samples for DNA
analysis.

9. PPE
• Never wear outside clothing or
shoes in the mortuary
• Every mortuary should provide a
clean changing area
• Recommended PPE is:
• Overalls/scrubs (washable or
disposable)
• Latex/nitrile gloves
• Facemask
• Safety goggles/glasses
• Mortuary shoes/wellington boots
• Aprons
• Headwear

10. Facemask
• Wear a facemask when
cleaning bodies, clothing,
and artifacts.
• If you are uncertain, wear a
facemask.

11. Hygiene
• Wear clean
scrubs/protective clothing
every day
• ALWAYS wash your hands
and any exposed skin when
leaving the mortuary
• NEVER touch your bare skin
while wearing gloves
• Avoid touching your mouth,
eyes, and nose in the
mortuary
• Shower before you leave or
when you get home.

12. Illness
• Working in the mortuary poses
risks to health, especially when
working in temporary
mortuaries.
• Potential risks from:
• Working in hot conditions
• Working in cold conditions
• Bacterial related sickness
• Blood/tissue/bodily fluid related
sickness
• Lifting injuries
• Stress related sickness

13. Vaccinations
• Human remains can
potentially host infectious
pathogens.
• Suggested vaccinations:
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
Other vaccinations:
Typhoid
Diptheria
Tuberculosis
Rabies

14. Equipment
• Clean equipment after
every use
• Store in a safe and secure
cupboard when not in use
• Only experienced people
should use an autopsy saw
• Clean/disinfect the
mortuary every night

15. General health and safety
• Every new person should
undergo a health and
safety briefing
• Risk assessments should
be carried out before new
bodies arrive and mortuary
staff briefed.
• Every mortuary should
have a first aid kit and
someone trained in first
aid.

16. General health and safety
• Anyone entering the mortuary,
including visitors, must adhere
to health and safety practices.
• Fragmentary bone can be
sharp.
• Bodies can be heavy – staff
should undergo manual
handling training and only lift
with two people.
• Working with human remains,
especially from a mass grave,
can be traumatic. Make sure
people have support and plenty
of time off.