Hazardous Activity

Hazardous Activity:
Is something that may put either the donor or others at high risk of serious injury or death if the donor were to suffer a delayed faint following donation. Such events are uncommon but not unknown.

This is of necessity a risk reduction exercise rather than an elimination of risk. As an example, the consequences of a driver loosing control of a large goods vehicle is likely to be worse than if they were at the controls of a car or light van. Some occupations have a requirement not to return to duty until a defined period of time has passed. For others it is sensible to recommend a night's rest before undertaking something that may be considered a hazardous activity.

Must not donate if:
a) Required to undertake a hazardous activity, following donation, on the same working day - donors must be advised of the risks of delayed faints and advised not to perform a hazardous occupation or hobby on the same day.

Hazardous occupation:
If going off duty, accept.

Exposure to hazardous material:
If the donor is well and has not been exposed by inoculation or mucous membrane exposure to potentially infective biological material, accept.

Air Crew and Air Traffic Controllers
Health Care Worker
Non-Consented Exposure to Human Body Fluids

Examples of hazardous activities include but are not limited to:
climbing, diving (all types), flying, motor sport, parachuting.

Examples of hazardous occupations include but are not limited to:
air traffic controller, climbing ladders or scaffolding, crane or heavy machine operator, diver, emergency response vehicle driver, fire crew, flying, large goods vehicle driver (LGV, HGV over 7.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass), miner working underground, public service vehicle driver (excluding vehicles with less than eight passenger seats), train driver.

The suggested driving restrictions would not normally apply to drivers restricted to a category B or C1 licence.

Many occupations expose individuals to hazardous materials. In some cases this may require statutory monitoring e.g. exposure to certain types of radiation or to high levels of lead. Provided the individual is well and they have not been directly exposed by inoculation or mucous membrane exposure to potentially infective biological material they should be accepted.

The See if Relevant section has been revised.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.