Understand Health and Safety in Social Care Settings
Outcome 1
Understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social care settings
1.1 List legislation relating to general health and safety in a social care setting
Health and Safety at Work Act
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (known as COSHH)
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (known as RIDDOR)
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE) 1992
Food safety act 1990
Fire Safety Regulations
1.2 Describe the main points of health and safety policies and procedures
Health and Safety policies and procedures set out rules and guidelines to follow in order to maintain a safe …show more content…
working environment. They ensure that all risk assessments are thorough and up to date and that all staff are fully trained in appropriate areas such as food safety, fire training and manual handling. Also included are methods to report and record any maintenance required to equipment and any accidents that occur in the work place; whether these be regarding staff or service users.
1.3 Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of:
The social care worker
The social care worker has the responsibility to adhere to and follow the health and safety policies and procedures laid out by the employer. They also have a responsibility to attend any necessary training. The care worker must ensure that any activities taken part in are done so in a safe manner as well as treating any equipment with care; minimizing the risk of harm or injury occurring. Also reporting/recording any injuries both to themselves and service users.
The employer or manager
The employer or manager of a care establishment has a responsibility to ensure that all employees understand the health and safety policies and procedures and that they are adhering to them. They also have the responsibility to organise necessary training sessions. Furthermore they must also ensure that they have stock available such as PPE and first aid facilities to work in a safe way and to treat any injuries. They must also identify any existing risks in risk assessments and create ways to minimize them.
Individuals
Individual’s responsibilities are similar to those required by a care worker. They must ensure that they are adhering to health and safety protocols and are acting in a safe way. They must also report any health and safety concerns when they arise.
1.4 Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should only be carried out with specialist training.
Tasks requiring specialist training include due to the potential health and safety risks they carry include:
Administering medication]
Using hoists
Clinical Waste Disposal
Manual Handling
Cooking
First Aid
Security measures and visitors in the care setting
1.5 Describe how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety
Additional support can be accessed by seeking advice from a manager or senior member of staff due to their increased knowledge base. Support can also be accessed via external resources such as the internet or relevant literature. There are usually dedicated individuals within care establishments responsible for specific areas of health and safety. For example a fire marshal will have more knowledge relating to fire safety/procedures than other individuals. Health and Safety Executive may also be contacted along with environmental health.
Outcome 2
Understand the use of risk assessments in relation to health and safety
2.1 Define what is meant by ‘hazards’ and ‘risks’
Hazards are anything that can inflict harm to an individual. They may include chemical hazards such as cleaning products, water spillages or sharps.
Risks are the likelihood of an individual being harmed by the hazard.
By assessing the risk; measures can be put in place to combat the hazard.
2.2 Describe how to use a health and safety risk assessment
To effectively use a health and safety risk assessment any hazards must be identified along with the risk the hazard may pose. Individuals that are put at risk are also identified. Following this counter-measures in order to combat the hazard are put in place. The counter-measures are monitored and reviewed to assess their suitability. Procedures for reporting and recording outcomes are included. Risk assessments will need to be reviewed and updated regularly as necessary to ensure their validity and in cases where environmental changes may occur.
2.3 Describe how and when to report potential health and safety risks that have been identified
Health and Safety risks should be reported as soon as they are identified to minimize harm occurring as a result. These should be reported to a manager or senior member of staff along with a written down record. If equipment is broken and could present a hazard if used, the equipment should be removed if possible and recorded in the maintenance book. If an individual is putting them self at risk and does not have the capacity to judge the harm that might result then this needs to be reported. If a control measure was to become unsuitable or additional measures were required this needs to be reported immediately before harm can occur. If any individual was to appear unwell but did not have the capabilities to voice this then as a precaution this needs to be reported to a responsible individual so that help or treatment can be provided as necessary,
2.4 Describe how risk assessment can help address dilemmas between an individual’s rights and health and safety
Risk assessments can help address dilemmas between rights and health and safety as they can help an individual to understand why an action can or cannot be taken depending on the circumstances. They will be made aware that a risk may occur to them and they are not being treated unfairly or discriminated against but instead staff are acting in accordance with the individual’s health and safety.
Outcome 3
Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness
3.1 Describe different types of accidents and sudden illnesses that may occur in a social care setting
There are many accidents and sudden illnesses that may occur in a social care setting. These include:
Accidents
Slips, trips, falls
Burns (e.g. kettle, hot water)
Accidental ingestion of COSHH
Back injuries caused by improper manual handling techniques
Sudden illnesses
Food poisoning
Infection/Colds
Stroke
Hypoglycaemia
Cardiac Arrest
3.2 Outline the procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur
If an accident was to occur in the care setting, it should be reported immediately into the accident book with full factual details of the event.
If the accident requires medical treatment, first aid should be given by a trained member of staff. If the accident is serious, outside medical intervention may be required such as a doctor or paramedic and these should be notified when necessary. The area around the individual should be cleared to ensure that their privacy and dignity is maintained. The individual’s next of kin or family members may need to be informed and accurate body maps completed.
In the event of sudden illness the area around the individual should be cleared to ensure that their privacy and dignity is maintained. Depending on the nature of the illness, medical intervention may be required. Monitoring the individual’s condition is necessary; noting any changes. The individual’s family or next of kin may need to be contacted.
In certain circumstances RIDDOR may need to be contacted as an external resource for reporting such events.
3.3 Explain why it is important for emergency first aid tasks only to be carried out by qualified first
aiders
This is because qualified first aiders have received training in order to carry out first aid tasks and use necessary equipment effectively and legally. They minimize the risk of further hazards occurring due to ineffective knowledge and techniques by untrained staff. It also adheres to health and safety policies and procedures within the care established.
Outcome 4
Know how to reduce the spread of infection
4.1 List routes by which an infection can get into the body
Via nasal passages (airborne)
Insect bites
Cuts/broken skin
Via the mouth
Bodily fluids
4.2 Describe ways in which own health or hygiene might pose a risk to an individual or to others at work
Own health or hygiene might pose a risk to other individuals at work if a cold or virus is present in the system. This could then transfer to others. Additionally, if correct hand washing procedures are not followed others can get food poisoning if any food is prepared.
4.3 Explain the most thorough method for hand washing
The image below describes a correct and thorough method for hand washing
4.4 Describe when to use different types of personal protective equipment
There are many types of P.P.E that is used within care settings to promote health and safety and protect both the carer and the individual receiving support. The following are described below along with their uses:
Gloves
Gloves are used when carrying out tasks such as supporting individuals with personal care and administering medication. They help prevent cross contamination and infections via the skin between the care provider and the individual receiving support. They also help protect the skin from irritants such as cleaning products, bodily fluids or medications. May also be used when handling food items after thorough hand washing and when cleaning unsanitary items such as toilets.
Aprons
Aprons are used to prevent cross contamination/infections being passed on via clothing. They may be used when preparing food or supporting individuals with personal care. They also help prevent the clothing from becoming soiled.
Masks
Masks are used to prevent infections passing from care providers to individuals via coughing or sneezing.
Hair Nets
Hair nets are used to prevent hair from contaminating items such as food during cooking.
Outcome 5
Know how to move and handle equipment and other objects safely
5.1 Identify legislation that is related to moving and handling
The following legislation relates to moving and handling:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Manual Handling Operations Regulations
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
5.2 List principles for safe moving and handling
The principles for safe moving and handling are as follows:
Avoiding any hazardous manual handling,
Follow the requirements of any risk assessments in place
Reporting any difficulties, including injuries and accidents appropriately
Using equipment properly and safely, while adhering to policies and procedures
Using correct techniques, taught in manual handling training
5.3 Explain why it is important for moving and handling tasks to be carried out following specialist training