Understanding health and safety in social care settings

Understand the different responsibility’s relating to health and safety in social care setting… Identify legislation relating to health and safety in a social care setting The legislations that cover health and safety are health and safety at work act 1974 Management of health and safety act at work regulations 1999 Reporting of induries diseases and dangerous occourences regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 Explain how health and safety policies and procedures protect those in social care settings If the legislations wherent in place people would not be aware of the dangers around them.

Which could lead to serious accidents or even death for example leaving medications out and not locked away securely the service users with dementia could take the medications without knowing what they where or thinking they where something else. Leaving hair products and body wash on show in bathrooms Dementia sufferers might think that it is a drink for them especially if the labels are not clear

see more:describe the main points of agreed procedures about handling medication.

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1.4 identifies situations in which the responsibility for health and safety lies with the individual. When things are left lying around it’s up to the individual to make sure that they remove obstructions also if the individual hasn’t had the correct training they have the right to request and make sure that health and safety is maintained

1.5 Explain why specific tasks should only be carried out with special training? When manual handling& lifting boxes the person should have the adequate training to move the boxes safely otherwise they could end up injured

1.6 explain how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety To access more information regarding health and safety you can use the health and safety executives’ website that will provide you with all the information that you will need also there should be health and safety regulations posters around your work place with contact numbers for further information

Understand risk assessments and their importance in relation to health and safety 2.1 explain why it is important to asses health and safety risks To prevent induries or harm to an individuals that may visit, live or use the building

2.2 Explain the steps to carry out a risk assessment

Identify the hazards- walk around checking things that reasonably could cause harm ask employees if they have notices things that could cause halm

Decide who might be harmed and how – young workers, expectant mothers people with disabilitys, cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers, members of the public

Evaluate the risks and decide on precaution

To see if you can eliminate the hazard altoghether if not how to control the risks so harm is unlikely.

Record you findings and implement them

Record all the details such as you made sure the correct checks are made and that you asked who was affected how the risks were dealt with what precautions were where made and that you involved your staff in the process but keeping the documentation simple.

Review your assessment and update if nessasary

When new equipment becomes introduced to the building a new risk assessment needs to be carried out also when equipment serviced the risk assessment should be amended.

2.3 Explain how to address potential health and safety risks identified To report the risk to someone in charge

2.4 Explain how risk assesments can help address dialemmas between an individuals rights and health and safety concerns Employers must ensure that poclocies and procedures are in place to protect home carers while they are at work by providing health and safety training and information as well as fresher training so that care workers are confident in carrying out their duties.

2.5 explain how to promote health and safety within the social care setting A requirement by law is regular training for staff to maintain their safety, a Notice board so that visitors are aware of things they are doing whilst moving and handling things.

Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness

3.1 describe different types of accidents and sudden illness may occur in a social care setting Food borne illnesses such as salmonella or Ecoli as many people sharing the same foods and cause make everybody sick at the same time

Trips and falls

Viruses such as colds and the flu can spread rapidly in the social care settings

3.2 explain procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur If there is an accident carers should press the emergency alarms situated in every room this will bring instant assistance. In a sudden illness the nurse in charge should be informed for advice whether the doctor or paramedics should be called other staff members should be made aware in case this is contagious.

3.3 explain why it is important for emergency first aid tasks only to be carried out but qualified first aiders. If first aid was carried out by someone that wasn’t qualified the injured person could end up more injured or even killed for example if resuscitation is preformed incorrectly the injured persons ribs could be broken and further injuries could occur

3.4 Explain the consequences of failing to follow emergency first aid procedures. The injured person could end up more injured and the person who performed the first aid could end up being sued. The included person could die

4.2 explain the following prevention methods
a) Hand washing correct hand washing methods can kill most germs that live on the hands which then stops the germs spreading through touch onto other [people b) Own personal hygiene washing and scrubbing with water and soap helps to remove germs and chemicals. It can also prevent exposure by ingestion and cross-contamination of the surfaces and objects we touch.

c) Encourage the individuals own personal hygiene
To prevent the spread of germs and to stop bacteria recirculation back into the individuals system

4.3 evaluate different types of personal protective equipment and how they can prevent the spread of infection Gloves are a good way of protecting the spread of bacteria as it is harder for bacteria to cling to. Also with disposable gloves they are thrown away before any other contact with anyone or anything is made. Disposable aprons.

4.4 Explain own role in supporting others to follow practices that reduce the spread of infection.

The most important way to reduce the spread of infections is hand washing - always wash regularly with soap and warm water. And to make sure other staff members use the correct hand washing techniques. Also to make sure that vaccination’s to prevent infections such as TB, hepatitis, polio, tetanus, MMR (measles mumps and rubella) so that the risk is reduced. To stay at home when you are sick to prevent germs and further infection spreading weather it’s through touch or airborne also after touching any part of your body to remember to wash hands. Making sure work surfaces are cleaned and sterilised after each use.

Understand how to move and handle equipment and other objects safely.

5.1 Describe the main points of legislation that relate to moving and handling

Avoidance of Manual Handling -Each employer shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for the employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured. Assessment of Risks -The employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such manual handling operations. This will include reference to four main elements Task, Load, Working Environment, and Individual Capability Reduction of Risks- The employer shall take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to employees, rising out of their undertaking such manual handling operations, to the lowest level reasonably practicable.

As with assessment, a structured approach should be adapted, with reference to the same four elements. Provision of Information On the Load- The employer shall take appropriate steps to provide any of those employees who are undertaking manual handling operations, with general indications and (where it is reasonably practicable) precise information on: The weight of the load

Review of Risk Assessments- Any risk assessment must be reviewed by the employer who made it if there is reason to suspect that the assessment is no longer valid there has been significant change in manual handling operations at work to which the assessment relates.

5.2 Explain how the following principles for safe moving and handling protects those in the social care setting. To prevent injury to others and yourself when moving and handling also if an accident should occur, the legislation protects you as long as moving and handling was followed out in the correct procedure

5.3 explain situations that may require additional supports, necasery for safer moving and handling Additional aids may be required if the area is too cramped, to make it easier to move the load, also if the load is too heavy or a strap doesn’t fit, this makes moving the person a lot harder

5.4 explain why it is important for moving and handling tasks to be carried out following specialist training To comply with legislation and to ensure that injury is minimised to yourself and others and by knowing how to use the equipment correctly safely and securely.

Understand the principles of assisting and moving an individual 6.1 explain why it is important to have specialist training before assisting and moving an individual It is important to have the sufficient training for moving so that you do not move a person and injure yourself the person being transferred and others. Moving people with insufficient could mean being seriously injured even death could occur by the person falling and breaking something

6.2 Explain the potential consequences of assisting and moving an individual without specialist training This person would be as much to blame for the injury sustained to the service user also as they have had insufficient training the person could cause yourself injuries

6.3 Explain the consequences of not following an individual’s care plan or fully engaging with them when assisting and moving The service users care plans are changed at all times their mobility and transfer movements are documented in these for carers to have access to transfer them safely to prevent injury and further stress to that particular service user

Understand how to handle hazardous substances

7.1 Describe types of hazardous substances that may be found in the social care setting

Electrical equipment, hot water, chemical substances (bleach, zaflora, air fresheners), soiled linen wash detergents, body wash, hair detergents.

7.2 Explain safe practises for:
Storing hazardous substances- the hazardous substances should be stored in a cool dry store room that is locked so that only people who have access to the key can access the cupboard. Using hazardous substances- using hazardous substances you should have COSHH training so that chemicals are not being used on the wrong things or mixed together as a fire could start otherwise if you need to know what you can use for certain cleaning just ask someone that has had the particular training.

Disposing of hazardous substances- If hazardous substances are used COSHH will provide secure disposal units and then put into contained areas for transportation and disposed of in a safe area in the safe manor

7.3 explain the dangers associated with not following these safe practices Without adequate training with chemicals fires could be started as chemicals re-act together Poisonous gasses could be created. Chemical burns could become more common. Also service users could drink the fluids and become seriously ill or even die if the chemicals are not stored away safely

Understand how to promote environmental safety procedures in the social care setting. 8.1 Explain procedures to be followed in the social care setting to prevent:

Fire- Residents that smoke are not allowed a lighter the staff are required to have lighters and to sit with the resident or observe outside (checking every 2 or 3 minutes) to make sure the resident is ok. In the smoke room there is a fire blanket an external window and a sand bucket and a fire extinguisher. The furniture in the smoke room is fire proof

Gas leak- the employer should make sure that the gas service checks are up to date and book regular boiler services.

Floods- to ensure that taps are turned off when they have been used. To also check secure roofing to ensure that any potential faults are reported before they get too bad Intruding- To prevent intruders we make sure that all doors to the building are locked with a key code so that only regular visitors and staff can access the building and visitors can ring the doorbell to gain access. Also fire doors are locked with a key code lock to ensure the service users safety Security breach-

8.2 Explain procedures to be followed in the social care setting in the event of:

Fire- if the alarm isn’t sounding, to personally sound the alarm if a fire is found. To exit safely to the fire point and wait for the appointed fire marshals instruction, and if evacuation is necessary to start with the process in the way revised and set in the fire safety book/posters, by this point the fire marshal would have rung the fire brigade.

Floods – If the flood is containable ask others for help to control the water and for one person to turn off the water if it is a tap that has been left running. Otherwise if the flood is uncontainable for example if the mains have burst, to sound the fire alarm and ring the fire brigade as they can remove the flood, also the evacuation process should be carried out as if in a fire. Then a Plummer and an elecrition should be called to check and repair any damages caused by the water

Intruding – to ensure that all residents, staff and visitors are safe, then to call the police if serious, if the building has been damaged so the intruder could gain entrance to the building this has to be made safe to protect the service users from injuries and further intruders.

Security Breach – inform the person in charge, and then call 999 check that everyone is safe and alright move anyone away from the area.

8.3 Explain how you would encourage others to adhere to environmental safety procedures By always following the environmental procedures personally, making sure that any unsafe practices are recorded. To help others and advise them on how to adhere to the environmental procedures

8.4 Explain the importance of having an emergency plan to deal with unforeseen incidents

Referring to a plan set up in advance prevents anyone panicking or not knowing what to do in the unforeseen circumstances. Also this shows the homes good organisation skills during inspections. Regular tests to practice this plan is essential so nothing or no one is missed

Understand how to manage stress

9.1 Describe common signs and indicators of stress
When people stressed can tell as you become more tearful/ sensitive about what people have said. Looking tired as when stressed insomnia begins

9.2 Describe factors that tend to trigger own stress
Some causes of stress could be relationship breakdowns or issues with families or friends. Financial changes if money becomes an issue

9.3 Evaluate strategies for managing stress
Talking through how you feel with your line manager if you feel comfortable with this if not someone at work that you feel you could talk to. Having time off work and go on a short to relax and detox, forget the stress going on at home and then to come back and figure everything out with a fresh

Understand procedures regarding handling medication

10.1 Describe the main points of agreed procedures about handling medication All medication received must be checked and recorded. Medication must be stored securely so that others cannot access the area where medications are stored identify also the qualified person knows the correct individual, medication, time and special instructions when giving medication. Also they know the correct procedure to deal with emergency medication if someone has gone into a diabetic Acoma. Also they appointed person knows how to dispose of the medications in the correct manor.

10.2 Explain why medication must only be handled following specialist training The nurses or trained persons have to be the only persons who give out medications to apply with the legislations. Also to ensure that the medications are administered correctly and safely to the service users.

10.3 Explain the consequences of handling medication without specialist training Some could include overdosing the service user also giving medications to the wrong service user and they having allergic reactions to the medicines given

Understand how to handle and store food safely

11.1 Describe the main points of food safety standards in a social care setting Storing food at the correct temperatures. To ensure that personal hygiene is at best because germs can spread through food handling. Ensuring correct equipment is used the correct chopping boards for the correct items, and ensuring that they are cleaned correctly