Unit 306 Health And Safety

Unit 306
Understand Health and Safety in social care setting

You have been asked to contribute to an induction day for new staff. You have been asked to prepare a presentation about Health and Safety. It must include the following

Task a presentation
A list of the key of key legislation relating to Health and Safety in a social care setting

* The equality act 2010 * Health and Safety work act 1974 * The reporting of injuries, disease and dangerous occurrences regulations 1995 * Health and Safety (first aid) regulation 1981 * Manual handling operations regulations 1992 * Care standards act 2000 * Food safety act 1990 * Food hygiene regulations 2005 * Environment protection act 1990 * Control of substances hazardous to health regulations 2002 * The provision use of work equipment regulations 1998
The regulatory reform (fire safety) regulations 1981

An explanation of how Health and safety policies and procedures protect people using social care setting

Policies and procedures relating to health and social care are put in place to protect individuals. All social care workers must have an understanding of what is safe and what to do if they feel something isn’t safe. By law the environment should be kept up to a good standard and kept clean and safe for the individuals who live and work there

An explanation of how health and safety policies and procedures protect people who work in social care setting

All employers are responsible to make sure there staff members are safe whilst at work. If a member of staff was to report unsafe equipment or uneven flooring it would need to be dealt with straight away. Training like moving and handling – any equipment used for this should be properly maintained by a competent personas it is being used on a daily basis. This will minimise the risk of harm to the social care worker and the service user.

A comparison of the differences in the main health and safety responsibilities of each of the following

A social care worker should always make sure they report any dangerous equipment and ensure health and safety checks are carried out and reported and recorded. This should happen on a strict regular basis (usually once a week). Social care workers should always ensure fire exits are kept clear in case the project needs to be vacated quickly and safely, making sure service users are kept safe from harm at all times.

Employers/managers
It is up to the manager to deal with any health and safety issues as soon as possible. Always ensuring to record outcomes and communicate with other staff members on the outcomes.

Individuals using social care services and others in the setting such as visitors, supporters, volunteers or contractors -
Any equipment or machinery used in a social care setting should be safe and not in any way hazardous to any individuals who live or work in that setting. The persons using the equipment must be competent and fully trained in using it. They should always provide photo identification on arrival and sign in and out when entering or leaving the building. Any work being carried out should be previously arranged and put in the diary to make staff members aware that it will be happening.

An example of a situation where responsibility for health and safety lie’s with the individual receiving care

If a service user used an electrical item in the bathroom and refused to remove it during personal care (bathing) etc... A service user may self medicate and could leave their medication around, they could them be picked up and taken by someone else which could cause them harm. Carpets or rugs being uneven on the floor, causing a person to trip or fall over. All of the above would be the responsibility of the service user.

An explanation of why each of the following tasks should only be carried out with specific training and the potential consequences if undertaken by staff that is not trained

(a) Use of equipment
If a social care worker had not been trained to use equipment properly e.g. moving and handling and still went ahead with moving an individual, they would be putting themselves and the service user at risk of harm. This could result in disciplinary action and or dismissal.

(b) First Aid
All social care workers should receive first aid training and feel confident in using it in emergency if necessary. If a social care worker had not had the relevant training and still gave first aid in a social care setting this could result in disciplinary action or dismissal. They would be putting a service user at great risk which could also result in death. It is the employers/managers responsibility to make sure their social care workers all have first aid training and that it is up to date.

(c) Medication
All social care workers need to be trained before they are able to administer medication. If a social care worker were to do so and gave a service user the wrong medication or the wrong dosage this could cause the service user serious harm or death. A social care worker could be disciplined or dismissed.

(d) Assisting moving and handling
Social care workers must be trained in all aspects of moving and handling. If a social care worker was to use moving and handling techniques without full training they would be putting themselves other social care workers and the service user at risk. A social care worker should always see the individuals care plan before moving them. Moving and handling is very unique to the individuals needs. If a social care worker used moving and handling without training they could be disciplined or even dismissed.

(e) Emergency procedures
All social care workers should have fire safety training. A social care worker should always know the safest and quickest way out of the building in an emergency. They should also be trained in any moving or handling that would be required in case of fire. If a social carer was not trained in this they could cause serious harm to other social care workers and service users. This would result in disciplinary or dismissal.

(f) Food handling preparation
If a social care worker were not trained in food handling preparation and still prepared food in an unsafe way, this could cause serious harm or even death to a service user. The social care worker could be disciplined or dismissed.

An explanation of the procedure to be followed to prevent and in the event of each of the following

Fire
Service users should all be provided with fully working smoke alarms, which they are able to hear, understand and respond to appropriately. This would help them to be safer from the effect of fire. Regular fire alarm test should be carried out so that service users and social care workers are aware of assembly points. A register can them be taken to ensure everyone is accounted for. Daily checks on service user’s properties to ensure all electrical appliances are in good safe working order. Making sure to turn electrical items off when they are not in use. Social care workers should remove any electrical equipment if it isn’t working correctly with the service user’s consent and then to record and report it.
Always ensure any flammable liquids are stored correctly.

Gas
It is easier to deal with a gas leak by stopping it from occurring in the first place. Always making sure any gas appliances are installed by a gas safety engineer and also to ensure the appliances are checked on a regular basis for signs of were and tear. If any appliances should require maintenance, this should be carried out by a qualified person. Service users should have an audible carbon monoxide alarm in their homes. If in the event there is a gas leak you would need to turn off the gas at the mains metre. There should be procedures in place for this. Next you should open all of the doors and windows to allow a good air flow into the property to ventilate. You must not use any plug sockets or light switches as this could cause sparks. You should not smoke or use matches. If you are unable to open windows or doors then you should exit the property. Once you are safe you should call a qualified gas engineer to come and assist with the problem.

Floods
To prevent flooding ensure taps are turned off properly. In the event of a flood and you are unable to turn the taps off due to them being broken you would need to turn the water off from the mains. There should be procedures around this in the social care setting telling you exactly where the mains are and how to turn the water off. You would need to call out a professional to fix the problem and put the water back on when it is safe to do so.

Intruding
All social care workers should hold a photo identification badge. If service users are going to be receiving visitors from family members or friends it would be good if they could let you know in advance and this could then be put in the diary. Key codes on doors would be a good prevention to stop people entering buildings when they are not permitted too. The codes should be changed on a regular basis. Intercoms being fitted into service users properties so they would not have to open their front doors without knowing exactly who is there first. Social care workers always asking and checking identification badges when other practitioners or contractors visit the properties.

Security breach
Checking identification badges, trying to ensure social care workers are aware of anyone who may be visiting the property so it can be noted in the diary. Changing the codes on the main entrance doors on a regular basis especially when staff members leave there jobs.

An explanation about the importance of having an emergency plan in place to deal with unforeseen circumstances

It is always important to be as prepared as possible. Having an emergency plan in place helps social care workers to deal with unforeseen incidents, it lays out exactly what should be done and how things should be handled, reported and recorded.

An explanation of how you could encourage others to follow procedures in place for environmental safety

Regular team meetings and training, explaining the benefits it could have on social care workers and service users.

An explanation how you could access additional support and information relating to health and safety

You could talk to your manager or colleagues, looking through policies and procedures. Or you could go to the library or via the internet.

Task B
James is 19 years old; he lives with his parents, twice a week he goes bowling or to the cinema with his support workers. They also go with him to the local college where he is studying Horticulture. At his last care planning meeting James expressed a wish to live independently with someone of his own age. His mother is against any change; she has dedicated her life to caring for him since he was diagnosed as having Asperser’s Syndrome. She is particularly worried that James will be at risk because he has limited experience of living independently. She is concerned he will make himself ill because he has limited experience of general health and safety in the kitchen and has no understanding about food safety. She will not discuss it with James or the social care workers. James is very angry with her.
Explain how a risk assessment might help address dilemma’s between James’s rights and health and safety concerns expressed by his mother
A risk assessment would allow James’s mother to see what could be done around the health and safety concerns she has. It could be arranged for James to take some food safety courses to try to reduce the risk of food contamination. Ensuring James knows that he will be responsible for washing his hands etc. With the correct support in place for James around cooking this would also minimise any other risk. This would also show that James has the right to take risks around his own health and safety. Regular meeting with James’s mother would be put in place to discuss how James is progressing and also to help with any other concerns his mother may have.
Describe the main points of food safety in social care setting * Storing food correctly * Preparing food correctly * Temperature controlling and recording for the fridge and freezer * Basic hygiene washing hands using correct PPE * Using correct utensils (chopping boards knives)
Using the table below describe how James should

Store food safely
Raw food should always be kept at the bottom of the fridge in food bags or covered up. This would reduce the risk of any meet juices dripping onto other foods and possibly contaminating other items in the fridge. Some of the meets could be frozen. James would need to ensure they had not been frozen before and when he wanted to use the meets make sure they are fully defrosted before cooking them.
All dairy foods would need to be kept in the refrigerator ensuring the dates are checked every day. When James does his shopping he would need to bring all older foods to the front of the fridge and put the new items at the back. James would need to check his fridge temperatures regularly
Dried and canned foods would need to be kept in a cool dry cupboard. James would need to check the dates regularly ensuring when he buys new items he puts all new food to the back and brings the older food to the front to make sure he uses it up first.

Handle food safely
Ensuring hands are always washed before and after handling food would reduce the risk of cross contamination. Using correct colour coded chopping boards for different foods
E.g. Red – raw meets Blue – raw fish White – bread Green- vegetables Brown – cooked meets
Colour coded knives would also help to ensure food was handled safely and correctly
Making sure James had the correct equipment for taking hot food out of the oven (oven gloves).

Dispose of food
James would need to dispose of food in the correct bins. Ensuring none of the food in the bins falls out or the bin over spills. Bins would need to be emptied daily and washed out.

Explain the potential consequences of not following food safety standards in a social care setting

Individuals could become very unwell from food poisoning if the standards are not met. This could have a huge impact on a service user as it could result in them having to be hospitalised or could even cause death. Social care workers responsible for food safety and if service users become ill the social care workers could be disciplined or dismissed.

Task D
Describe three common signs or indicators of stress

A person may be unable to concentrate on things and have no patients.
A person may not be able to sleep very well, getting up and down during the night.
A person may cry a lot for no apparent reason, become argumentative quieter than usual.

Describe two examples of circumstances or situations that cause you to feel stressed

A person may be in debt and have money problems. This would cause them to feel stressed if they are unable to pay bills, rent.

In a work environment there could be staff shortages due to staff members calling in sick. This could be stressful for management or seniors as they would need to cover the shifts. Often due to funding some work places are not allowed to use agency unless it is emergency.

Evaluate the effectiveness of three different strategies for managing stress

A person may need to have someone to talk to. This could be friends or a family member. Sometimes they may need to be referred by their GP to see a therapist to help manage their stress. They may also prescribe medication.

A person may need to relax. Have some time off work and rest with their families

Exercising is a good way of releasing stress along with a healthy lifestyle this would be very beneficial to a person suffering from stress.

Describe three different types of accidents or sudden illness that may occur in a social care setting Vulnerable adults are very susceptible to virus, sick bugs and colds, coughs or flu. These are often brought into a social care setting by social care workers, family members or visitors. They are often spread around a social care setting very quickly.
Service users can often be unsteady as their mobility may not be very good. This could be for a variety of different reasons such as epilepsy, confusion or from just being unwell. This could result in a service user falling or tripping over and hurting themselves or others.

Explain the procedure to be followed in the event of an accident or sudden illness

As soon as an accident has happened you would need to check the service user for any obvious injuries. If you require assistance you would need to call for an ambulance immediately. If the accident is more minor you would give first aid (remembering your training) applying any plasters or dressings needed. Ensuring the service user is safe at all times. You would need inform your manager of the accident and fill in the relevant incident forms. And fill out any body map charts, with as much detail as possible.
If a service user were to become unwell you should contact their GP to get the correct advice on any medication they could take. This would depend on whether they were already taking regular medication on a daily basis. Medical record sheets should be filled out with as much detail about the illness as possible. You would also need to record it in the daily handover sheets and message books. You should also hand this over to other members of staff verbally ensuring all staff members are aware that the service user is unwell. On some occasions accidents or illness will need to be reported to RIDDOR or SOVA.

Explain why it is important to assess health and safety risks

Health and safety risks should be assessed on a regular basis to ensure service users and social care workers are always protected. Amending any changes to health and safety risks as and when they happen.

Explain the different stages of a risk assessment

The risk assessment would include any situations where risk where potential harm could be caused.
Firstly you would need to assess the activity and what risks could be involved. You would then need to think about how the risks could be minimised enough to ensure the activity was safe for the service user to take place in the activity. Risk assessments are about making it possible for service users to do things safely. They are not about restricting service users from doing what they want, enjoy doing. Risk assessments are usually rated for example 1 – would be high risk 2 – would be medium risk and 3 – high risk.

Explain three different ways of promoting good health and safety practice in an adult social care setting

All social care workers should have up to date training around health and safety and other legislation. Social care workers should feel confident that they can assess any information they require.
Always ensuring risk assessments are reviewed and up to date. Good communication between social care workers and managers, seniors around any concerns they may have.
Making sure fire drills are completed on regular basis ensuring social care workers and service users know how to leave the building safely in case of fire.