Essay: Legislation for health and safety in the workplace

The COSHH Approved code of Practice (ACoP) recommends that exposure be prevented by:
• altering work methods so that the task that causes exposure is no longer carried out
• modifying the process to remove Hazardous Substances including by-products or waste
• substituting the hazardous substance with a less hazardous type or form of the substance, e.g. using granules instead of powder to reduce dust levels or a less volatile solvent in a process.
states that employers must identify which hazardous substances are present in the workplace. Examples include chemical products, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, gases and biological agents (germs). COSHH includes regulations about biological agents (germs) that cause diseases such as leptospirosis or legionnaire’s disease. In the workplace, examples might be bleach and other cleaning materials, pesticides, adhesives, acids and gas.
COSHH defines how dangerous liquids, powders etc. are stored and used. All items that are covered under the COSHH Regulations have one or more of these pictograms (symbols) shown on the packaging
It is important that these products are never left out for individuals or staff to mistakenly drink or misuse. Cleaning materials should never be left out even when staff are taking a short rest break. It is a legal requirement for employers to carry out risk assessments of specific activities to identify where control measures need to be put in place. Risk assessments should identify the hazards, identify people at risk and assess the severity of the risks.
Security and Personal Safety –
Security and Personal Safety is about risk reduction and the protection of people and property. Organisations have a duty of care for the health, safety and wellbeing of both their staff and clients. By having effective security and risk reduction measures incorporated into their policy procedures and training the likelihood of the organisation, or the individual’s security and personal safety being compromised, will be reduced or eliminated
Security measures and procedures should be in place to protect you, your colleagues and the individuals you support.
In residential homes, day centres or hospitals there may be people specifically responsible for security. You should know what security systems are in place and how they work. There will be door locks and alarms, automatic lighting and visitor signing in books. If security is breached, you will need to know what to do. When working in individual home, security arrangements may be similar and it is essential that you know what they are for each home.
You may be working alone or at night time which could present higher safety risks. If this is the case, someone should always know where you are and it is recommended that you attend personal safety or self-defence training. Your employer should have a lone worker policy and a process for conducting risk assessments on lone workers. You might want to carry a personal attack alarm and a mobile phone.
Use of Equipment –
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Requires that equipment provided for use at work, including machinery is safe. It also covers the supply and maintenance of appropriate moving and handling equipment and training of staff in how and why it is used. Generally, any equipment, used by an employee at work, attracts the requirements of PUWER. In health and social care, this can include equipment provided for patient care, where this is used by employees. Examples include bedrails, hoists, electric profiling beds and medical equipment
First-Aid Situations –
This includes would include any hygiene procedures that must be followed, administrating basic first aid only if you have been trained to do so, we would have to report and record the procedures taken.
Health Care Procedures (eg. personal care) –
Some people need extra care or support – practical or emotional – to lead an active life and do the everyday things that many of us take for granted. The government is working to provide a social care system that provides care for those who need it, and which enables people to retain their independence and dignity. We have to follow procedures for administering any personal care that we do for the service user.