What Should You Know About Health and Safety?

Own responsibilities and responsibilities of others

Legislation relating to general health and safety

Health and Safety at work act of 1974, it ensures that the employer, the employee have responsibilities to ensure that a good level of safety is attained in the workplace. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, which supports the health and safety act. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) which ensures safe storage and usage of any substances that could harm other workers or service users.

The Manual Handling Regulations of 1992, which sets out methods and requirements to be met when manually handling objects, as well as people. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR) outlines what is required to be recorded and reported. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE) 1992 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998

see more:explain why it is important to have secure systems for recording and storing information

Main points of the health and safety policies

The main points of health and safety policies and procedures largely centre on standards that must be upheld in order to create a safe place of work, and also to ensure that somewhere meets all legislation requirements when it comes to things like COSHH, where all harmful substances must be locked away while not in use, and not left around when being used if the worker leaves the room, even for a moment.

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When handling harmful substances or when administering medication or giving personal care the correct PPE equipment must be worn that is supplied by the employer, such as disposable gloves and aprons.

When moving and handling a service user that requires specialised equipment two workers must be present and fully trained to move the service user, manual handling regulations 1992.

The main health and safety responsibilities of:— self— the employer or manager— others in the work setting:

• Self- Health and safety responsibilities that pertain me as the support worker are to maintain any important care procedures, which refer to the policies and procedures once again, but most things do as they outline the ways in which things must be done, this includes attending any training. Health and safety responsibilities include other things such as making sure any activities are done safely, as well as the use of any equipment or materials to be handled with care, minimizing the risk of injury or harm to myself and others, including other staff and service users. If on occasion someone is harmed/hurt then I am to record and report it appropriately, even if it is just a concern.
• Employer/Manager- Their responsibility is to ensure that every member of staff understands their obligations towards health and safety, and that there are methods in place to allow the employee’s to operate under it. Including keeping enough stock of necessary equipment required to avoid injury, damage or wastage, and not charge for any PPE or first aid facilities. It is also the manager’s role to assess any existing risks and create ways to minimise them, and to provide training on health and safety.
• Others- All other company support workers, agency, maintenance, nurses, GPs, visitors must adhere to all policies and procedures set out by the management and follow all health and safety protocol.

Tasks that should not be carried out without special training

Handling and administering medication/drugs/substances, especially harmful

• Manual Handling
• Using hoists and slings
• Clinical waste disposal
• Cooking, food preparation
• Handling cleaning products, chemical substances

How to access additional support

Speaking to the team leader/manager or by going on the internet and searching for the question you seek the answer for. You could read a book that covers that part of health and safety such as course workbooks. It can be attained by attending any training relating to health and safety, and as always information can be found in the companies policies and procedures.

Use of risk-assessments

Assess health and safety hazards

It is important to assess health and safety hazards posed by the work setting or by a particular activity in order to prevent risk of injury to oneself, fellow colleagues and services users.

How to report potential health risks

I would report any potential health and safety risks that have been identified immediately to my line manager both verbally and by written report if necessary.

If there is an health and safety risk putting myself or anyone else in immediate danger then I would call 999 and ask for the appropriate emergency service, such as a fire.

How risk-assessment can help address dilemmas

Risk assessments can help address dilemmas between rights and health safety largely by making the individual, whether that be a service user or a member of staff aware of the risks that exist. For example if someone in a wheelchair who has a partial ability to walk is feeling discriminated against by not being allowed to walk somewhere unassisted, (it might be wet floor inside or perhaps it could be icy outside) then explaining the reasons behind persuading the use of a wheelchair is for their own safety, and that it is not a decision that even rests in your hands, helps break the dilemma he/she had concerning his/her rights as an individual, and also serve his own health and safety needs. Because it makes the service user aware of the carers responsibilities, and the behind the risk assessments is to keep people safe and not to discriminate for any reason.

Procedures for responding to accidents

Types of accidents and sudden illness

Both service users within my work setting do not have the capability to recognise illness at its earliest occurrence or describe any ill feelings and therefore when the illness comes to show itself on skin, oral areas or eyes the illness can be at a serious stage.

As well as everyday accidents such as tripping, falling, cutting oneself with a kitchen knife etc. there are specialised equipment such as hoists that could malfunction during the moving of a service user with possible harm to the service user and staff.

Procedures to be followed if an accident should occur

Firstly I must deal with the accident or illness with an appropriate response level. If there has been a loss of limb, head wound, loss of consciousness or loss of breath I will call 999. If there is no immediate risk to life I will call the GP or district nurse and describe the situation clearly allowing them to give guidance on the situation. If the accident is minor and can be resolved by myself immediately such as applying a plaster I must do so. In the occurrence of any serious illness or accident I must record it in the appropriate file clearly stating what occurred and what actions I took and then sign Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects safely

Legislation that relates to handling

Manual Handling Operations

Regulations, which governs how people manually handle objects and large items as well as people, and tries its best to ensure a safe method for every type of foreseeable movable object.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which makes injuries and accidents far less likely by making the workplace safe, and that when any injuries are incurred by staff or service users then it is reported and reasonable action is taken.

Principles for moving and handling equipment

Make sure the area in which the objects are being moved is clear of any trip hazards. Avoid any hazardous manual handling.

Adhering to the requirements of any risk assessments in place. Check any equipment to be used is in good working order before using it. Use the equipment properly and safely, while adhering to the agreed ways of working. Using the proper techniques and methods of work, taught in manual handling course.

Move and handle equipment or other objects safely.

I will demonstrate my competence of moving and handling equipment within the work setting. In my work setting I use both tracking and mobile hoists to move the service users between their beds, commodes, bath, wheelchairs and comfortable living-room chairs. Each service user also has a specialised bed which can be altered in height and resting positions.

I confirm that the evidence listed above is my own work and was carried out under the conditions and context specified in the standards.