A study of hazards and risks in the autopsy centre

Abstract

The present paper is a highlight of the hazards and risks, present in the autopsy centre and faced by the workers involved in the autopsy room. This study was conducted in the department of FORENSIC MEDICINE, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, during the year 2007. It was found that about one-fourth i.e. 502 cases (25.48%) of the total 1970 autopsy cases done were hazardous. Of which, infective risk contributed the highest (67.52%) and then followed by poisoning cases (32.47%). There were also 43 cases of decomposed bodies autopsied. The other existing hazards were studied through a questionnaire put forward to the workers regarding physical injury, exposure to chemical hazards, infections and adverse psychological effects, secondary to stressful working environment of the autopsy room and presence of other occupational hazards if any.