Essay: Legislation relating to health and safety in a health or social care work setting

1.1 Identify legislation relating to general health and safety in a health or social care work setting/5.1 Identify legislation that relates to moving and handling
(Please can you summarise each of the following legislation)
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 –
Provides a legal framework to ensure the workplace is as safe as possible for anyone who enters it. The main purpose of the legislation is:
• Protect the service users.
• Protect yourself using PPE.
• Practice good universal precautions and hand washing.
• Disposal of waste.
• To report any accidents or incidents.
• safe procedure and care of working environment.
• maintenance of safe access and way out to the workplace.
• adequate training of staff to ensure health and safety.
• To secure the health, safety and welfare of people at work.
• To protect others from risks arising from activities of people at work.
• To control the use and storage of dangerous substances.
• To control the production into the air of harmful materials.
As an employee I have the rights and responsibilities for my own well-being as well as the wellbeing of the individual I am supporting and my colleagues. Although my aim is to give personal care and support in a personal centred way, I must always remember the health and safety for everyone involved comes first.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – the regulations involve organisations to carry out risk assessments, to make provisions to apply crucial measures, assign proficient people and organise appropriate information and training required.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 –
Sets out a hierarchy of 3 measures:
1. Avoid handling operations that involve risk of injury.
2. Assess all manoeuvres which cannot be avoided.
3. Take steps to reduce the risk of injury as reasonably practical.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 –
(known as COSHH) require employers to control substances that can harm workers’ health.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998- (known as LOLER) covers all lifting equipment used in the workplace, its condition and working order.
1.2 Describe the main points of the health and safety policies and procedures agreed with the employer
(Look for the policies and procedures for the following in your workplace and describe each of them)
Infection Control and Dealing with Hazardous Substances –
The COSHH Approved code of Practice (ACoP) suggests that contact be avoided by:
• changing work techniques so that the task that is causing contact is no longer carried out
• adapting the practice to remove Hazardous Substances the include by-products or waste
• replacing the hazardous substance with a reduced amount of hazardous type or form of the substance.
It 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 reducing risk and the safeguarding of people and possessions. Organisations have a duty of care for the health, safety and interests of the staff and service users. By arranging efficient security and risk reducing methods combined into the establishments policy and procedures, or if the individual’s security and or personal safety is compromised, this will be reduced or removed.
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.
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 this could be practical or emotional. This could lead to an active life and to do the everyday things that many of us take for granted. The government is working to offer a social care system that arranges for care to those who need it, and which assists people to retain their independence and dignity. We have to follow procedures for administering any personal care that we do for the service user.
1.3 Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of:
Self – My main health and safety responsibilities are:
1. To take reasonable care of your own health and safety.
2. To take reasonable care not to put other people at risk.
3. To co-operate with your employer.
4. monitor the workplace practices such as care activities, care procedures, the use of care materials and equipment.
5. Minimise any risk of danger and possibility of injury and harm to service users, others and myself.
6. Report and record any health and safety concerns.
7. Attend any training.
The employer or manager – The main health and safety responsibilities are:
1. To make the workplace safe.
2. To prevent risks to health.
3. Make sure that there are safe working procedures and that equipment is in place to prevent injury, damage and wastage.
4. Set up emergency plans.
5. Make sure working situations come across health, safety and welfare requirements.
6. Make sure every member of staff is aware of his/her responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety Policy, and minimise risks,
7. provide health and safety training, information and supervision, provide welfare and first aid facilities and provide protective clothing and equipment free of charge.
8. Report accurate incidents.
Others in the setting –
All staff and visitors in a care home such as service users, relatives, doctors, nurses and agency workers must follow all Health and Safety procedure and follow instructions for use of equipment and report any health and safety concerns.
1.4 Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should not be carried out without special training
(You need to give at least 4 different tasks and say why each should not be carried out without special training)
1.Moving and handling is an essential part of working in the health and social care sector. It is a key part of the working day for most employees; from moving equipment, to moving laundry, or catering supplies or waste, from assisting residents to move to one place to another.
For example, I had to have training on the use of hoists and slings. I have been told that the number of staff that are required for hoisting can vary, this depends on the requirements of the individual and the specific hoisting transfer required. Some individuals can carefully use a hoist without any aid, whereas others may need help from a number of staff. I would have to ensure the following assessment are taken into account:
• the individual that needs to be assisted, and their requirements.
• the setting.
• particular hoisting allocations.
• equipment that is provided.
• how to apply the sling.
• the individuals that are carrying out the moving and handling responsibilities.
In some circumstances, assessment will show you that two carers are needed. One will be to control the hoist, and the other person will help keep the individual in a safe position when moving from one place to another, and to keep assistance and provide comfort.
There are safe working measures that must be followed during hoisting. Failure to do this can cause serious accidents. These problems may include:
• by pick out the wrong type of hoist or sling. This will result in poor support and a risk of falling out of the sling. For example, toileting slings can give good access, but give little support, so the use of them are restricted to toileting only.
• selecting the wrong-size sling, will result in distress and if the sling is small, or the risk of the person slipping through the sling if it is too big. Staff have to be aware of the sling sizes and coding vary between different manufacturers.
• choosing the wrong loops. The slings may come with different range of different length of loops for fastening to the hoist. The length of the fastening establishes how reclined or erect a resident is during any lift. Improper selection of loops for an individual may be at risk of slipping out of the sling.
2.medication must be processed by individuals that have training to check that the prescription is controlled correctly. There are checks that need to be made before administrating medication I have to verify that I have the right service user, the right medication, the right dosage, the service user has the right to refuse, the right time to take the medication and that it is the right route to be taken. People who are not qualified will not able to tell which side effects can take place. This could lead to a penalizing action and could lead to lawful action that could cause the service provider to be closed down.
For example, I visit Violet Dobson twice a day to administer her medication, at breakfast and at bed time. So I would check the MAR sheet with the information on there to tell me what medications she has at breakfast time, so I would follow this by making sure it’s the right medication, the right dosage, the right time, the right route, the right service user by checking her date of birth, name, she also has the right to refuse then we would have to try something else by having a word with the doctor. I would put my signatures on the MAR sheet to say if she has taken them or not. Then there would be a right outcome and review.
If we didn’t take any of these into account then there would be problems to the health of the service user, also if the carer did not take the right actions they would cause major problems like giving the wrong medication to the wrong service user or like death of a service user.
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3. first aid is very important that you be trained in this as it’s an emergency action in which first aid can allow more time for medical help to come and also save a life. Your role in giving emergency first aid is to:
• Preserve a casualty’s life.
• Prevent further harm.
• Promote or help their recovery.
You should only attempt to do this if you have undertaken a recognised emergency first aid course. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 requires that any accident or injury that occurs at work, and the treatment given, must be recorded in your care home’s accident book.
The ambulance service is an emergency medical service, staffed by trained paramedics. If a service user has an accident or a sudden life threatening illness e.g. a heart attack, you should telephone 999. You should clearly state the:
• Casualty’s name and age
• Location of the incident, address and telephone number
• First aid already given.
• The emergency operator will stay on the line and give you advice until the paramedic arrives.
If you do not follow the procedures, you can cause serious harm to the person who needs first aid.
4. food safety. The Food Safety Act 1990 and regulations made it an offence for anyone to sell or procedure food for sale that is unsafe to others health. They also place requirements on businesses to safeguard activities which are carried out in a hygienic way. The CQC requires that care services ensure that the food and drink they are providing are handled, stored, prepared and delivered the way the Act requires. The local authority is accountable for prosecution through environmental health and Trading Standards. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) can interfere where local authorities have failed to meet the obligations and in emergency situations.
If handling food, you should also:
• Wear protective clothing
• Keep your nails clean and short
• Keep your hair tied back or covered
• Cover any minor wounds with a coloured waterproof dressing
• Do not smoke in any area where food is being stored, prepared or served
The spread of food poisoning bacteria can also be controlled by cleaning and storing kitchen equipment correctly:
• There should be a separate fridge for cooked and raw food.
• Different surfaces should be used for preparing cooked and raw foods
• Different equipment e.g. knives, chopping boards etc. should be used for raw and cooked foods, and kept separately
• Work surfaces should be scrupulously cleaned after use for raw meat or poultry
• All food should be kept covered
• No food should be kept past its ‘use by’ date
If not followed properly this can cause the spread of food poisoning and bacteria that can cause serious harm to the service users.
1.5 Explain how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety/2.2 Explain how and when to report potential health and safety risks that have been identified
(What action would you take, who would you report to and where would you find information with regards to each of the following scenarios)
You should seek additional health and safety assistant when you do not know or have knowledge and training to deal with a condition or circumstance that could impact health and safety, or if you have a question that you cannot answer. You will need to know the limits of your understanding and seek any help if something takes you outside those limits.
A leaking tap in the bathroom area which is spilling onto the floor-
Knowing how to prevent flooding is good to know as you never know when you will have a flood. First you will raise an alarm, find the nearby exit take the service users out of the building, try and find the cause of the flood. So you need to how to turn off the main water supply is vital, and make sure that the plugs are unplugged in case there is a leak or drips leading to overflow. Make sure that you contact the water company. take any photographs before you leave. This can help with insurance claims after you have sorted out the place that has been flooded.
You smell gas whilst in the kitchen area –
Gas leaks are very dangerous, and so all appliances should be checked and switched off, this will include the gas fire, cooker and the heaters. turn off the main gas and then contact the gas company. organize the service users quickly to the nearby exit and do not return into the building,
You find an intruder in one of your residents’ bedrooms –
prevention: use of security codes to enter buildings; use of identification badges; use of signing in and out books; checking inhabitants/residents; safety locks on doors and windows; security personnel on site; maintenance of alarms
In the event of intrusion: ensuring the safety of residents/users of the service; ensuring safety of staff; room checks; contacting emergency services; checking identification of all present
You notice that there is only one box of disposable gloves left within the workplace – I would report it and replace it and if any need ordering mention it to management team.
Learning outcome 2 – Understand the use of risk assessments in relation to health and safety
2.1 Explain why it is important to assess health and safety hazards posed by the work setting or by particular activities
It is important to assess any health and safety hazards posed by the work setting to minimise any potential risks to service users, colleagues or visitors. There could be environmental hazards, or hazards that are associated with people or equipment. It is also to comply with legislation and health and safety responsibilities. Each workplace must therefore have a written health and safety policy that must include:
• A statement of intent to provide a safe working environment.
• The person that is responsible for applying the policy.
• The names of individuals responsible for any particular health and safety hazards.
• A list of health and safety hazards and the procedures that must be followed.
• A procedure for recording accidents and illnesses at work.
Hazards in the work place might include:
Environmental hazards-
• Wet or slippery floors and stairs
• Untidy corridors or passageways
• Worn carpets or rugs
• Loose or bare electrical flexes
•
Hazards associated with equipment-
• Faulty brakes on beds and wheelchairs
• Incorrectly labelled substances
• Worn or damaged hoists and slings
• Incorrect or faulty waste disposal
•
Hazards associated with people-
• Moving and handling procedures
• Incorrect hand washing
• Incorrect food handling
• Violence and/or aggressive behaviour
2.3 Explain how risk assessment can help address dilemmas between rights and health and safety concerns
Risk assessment can help deal with any dilemmas between the rights of the individual and health and safety concerns. An example is when a service user who is very heavy and who is physically unable to move himself without help may want to do something but lack of sufficient care staff to actually move him at that time may cause risks to the staff involved.
Therefore, that person may not be able to be moved about at that precise time. Service users have human rights, therefore the staff are required to make the service user aware of the dangers of any move and also the risks to staff and for therefore the risks to staff could be high. Risk assessment are used for arranging other alternatives for this service user.
People with a learning difficulty have the same rights as anyone else in deciding whether or not to engage in a particular activity. It is important as it is my duty to ensure service users’ safety.
For example, a service user may be a smoker and insist on smoking in her bedroom at night instead of in the smoking room and ignores all advice from staff who are concerned about the safety of everyone. Another example could be a service user who is a little unsteady on his feet but decides he wants to go out and use a bus or train instead of a taxi; he may be at risk of tripping and harming himself, harming the staff or others around him.
Learning Outcome 3 – Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness
3.1 Describe different types of accidents and sudden illness that may occur in own work setting/3.2 Outline the procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur
(Describe how you would deal with the following scenarios)
An elderly resident trips and falls over a rug in the lounge area –
If I see someone has fallen, I have to resist the need to get the person up straightaway. First I would check for any condition such as is the individual conscious or unconscious? Does the individual look to be injured? Then I would reassure the individual.
If the individual cannot get up, I will call for help and would do first aid only if I have training and I am competent to do so. I would help the individual find a comfortable spot and keep the individual warm using blanket or a jacket.
If the individual seems able to get up, I would continue with care and follow the steps below.
1. Bring a chair close by if available; try and help the individual turn onto their side and bend the upper leg; help the individual into a semi-seated position.
2. Placing myself behind the person and get a firm grip on the hips, then I would help the individual to a kneeling position with both of the hands on the chair.
3. By holding on to the chair provided, the individual should then place the they sturdier leg in front. I may help by supervise their leg.
4. With a firm grip on the person hips, I would then help the person to try and stand, and then turn and sit on the chair.
A client accidentally drops a hot cup of coffee which spills onto their hand –
Take a cloth and run it under cold water. Swing it in the air to cool it down and then place on the wounds. I would recommend using a burn gel on the hand. Make a record of what happen when it happened? What treatment used and to keep a regular eye on it and if it is serious take them to the hospital. Get some cups that are easier to hold for the client.
A resident starts to clutch their chest and complains of severe chest pains –
Call the doctor or 999 right away if you have:
• Mild chest pain or discomfort, and if I am responsible for the lives of others for example the service user.
• If the chest pain isn’t relieved with medicine, or has happened with less activity, or has happened at resting point when the person did an activity.
• If the service user has chest pain or any discomfort for the first time with symptoms that are similar to coronary artery disease.
Let their doctor know if they have:
• A history of chest pain or any discomfort that is caused by coronary artery disease (angina).
• If there are one or more risk factors for heart disease.
• Have a family history of a sudden death from heart attack.
•
An individual who suffers from epilepsy falls to the floor in the dining area and starts to convulse –
I would safeguard the individual from injury themselves by removing any harmful objects. I would put a cushion under their head or something soft underneath to protect their head. I will have a look for any epilepsy identity card or an identity jewellery to let me know what type of seizures they have and who to contact.
I will aid breathing by placing the individual in a recovery position once the seizure has finished. I would then stay with the individual up until they recover completely and calmly reassure them.
I would not confine the individual’s movements. I would not put anything in the individual’s mouth. I will try to move them if they are in any danger. I would not give them anything to eat or drink until they are recovered fully. I would never try to bring the individual round.
I would call for an ambulance if it is the individual’s first seizure, or if the seizure is lasting for more than five minutes. If the individual is having a tonic-clonic seizure that follows another without the individual recovering consciousness between the seizures, or if the person has injured themselves during a seizure, or if I believe the person needs vital medical care.
Learning Outcome 5 – Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects safely
5.2 Explain principles for moving and handling equipment and other objects safely
a) You need to match the key principles of manual handling with the definition
Principle Matching Number Definition
Avoid 2 1. What is the risk in place? And what control measures can be put in place to minimise the chance of injury occurring
Assess 3 2. Is there the need for any hazardous manual handling to take place?
Reduce 1 3. What is the likelihood that injury will occur if hazardous manual handling takes place?
Learning outcome 6 Know how to handle hazardous substances and materials
6.1 Identify hazardous substances and materials that may be found in your work setting
Can you give examples of each type of substance in your workplace and describe what they are/what they are used for
Corrosive –  Potential to destroy living tissue upon contact. There is a bleach which has the corrosive symbol on it and it has instructions to clean with gloves on this is to clean the kitchen and also the bathroom. It is kept in a cupboard in the store room.
Irritant –  Non-corrosive substance that can cause irritation on the skin. Household cleaners such as oven cleaner, furniture polish and drain cleaner.
Toxic – Potential to cause serious damage, there is nothing toxic in my service users home
Highly Flammable – Highly flammable liquids (HFLs) should be treated carefully so
• They do not become a source of fire#
• They do not fuel an existing fire
• There is no highly flammable liquid in the service users home.
Potentially Infectious – This could be body fluid that is clearly infected with blood, or if it is hard or impossible to differentiate between body fluids. There isn’t any of this in my service users home or the day centres where everything is cleaned every day.
6.2 Describe safe practices in your workplace for:
storing hazardous substances
• Need to make sure the room is ventilated
• Need to make sure that the safe quantity we are able to store
• Any fire precautions to take in to account
•
using hazardous substances
• To make sure that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used correctly
• Always start from the dirtiest area working towards the cleanest area when cleaning up any spillages
• Always use any warning signs to warn others that you have used a substance to clean up
disposing of hazardous substances and materials
• Biological waste has to be destroyed
• Any hazardous waste needs to be placed in a yellow or orange bag
• Any hazardous waste will need to be disposed of which is separate to any household waste
Learning outcome 7 Understand how to promote fire safety in the work setting
7.1 Describe practices that prevent fires from:
– starting
In order for a fire to start, 3 things are needed:
Heat or a source of ignition
Oxygen
Fuel
This is a fire triangle.  A fire cannot start if one of these components is missing.
-spreading
Storing of flammable material, waste materials, paper, wood, furnishing flammable liquids, keeping door shuts and checking of fire alarms
7.2 Outline your workplace emergency procedure to be followed in the event of a fire
Find and copy your workplace fire procedure to use here
Raise the alarm
Make way to the assembly point
Move self and others from danger
Inform manager/fire safety officer
Dial 999
Do not use lifts
7.3 Explain the importance of maintaining clear evacuation routes at all times
All routes of evacuation, fire exits, doors, corridors and passage ways are to be kept clear at all times because if a fire occurs, all quick escape are available and free of hazards and danger to life.
Learning outcome 8 Be able to implement security measures in the work setting
8.3 Explain the importance of ensuring that others are aware of your own whereabouts
Other people always must know of my whereabouts in the care home or day centre, mainly my supervisors and the managers. This is because if I am needed I can then be called, but this is also to protect me in case I am in any danger. Also, if there was a fire at the home everyone needs to be accounted for and valuable time would be lost if the management did not know where I was in the home at that particular time.
Learning outcome 9 Know how to manage own stress
9.1 Identify common signs and indicators of stress (You need to identify at least 16 common signs and indicators)
Emotional symptoms
• Negative or depressive feelings
• Disappointment with yourself
• Increased emotional reactions-more tearful or sensitive or aggressive
• Loneliness, withdrawn
• Loss of motivation, commitment and confidence
• Mood swings
Mental
• Confusion
• Indecision
• Cannot concentrate
• Poor memory
Changes from normal behaviour
• Changes in eating habits
• Increased smoking, drinking or drug taking to cope
• Mood swings effecting behaviour
• Twitchy, nervous behaviour
• Changes in attendance such as arriving late or taking more time off
9.2 Identify circumstances that tend to trigger your own stress/9.3 Describe ways to manage your own stress
(Can you briefly describe 4 situations that cause you to be stressed and then describe different ways how you manage to deal with/relieve each one)
1. Work place stress- worried about not getting my new job, not reaching my career goals, I’m stressed about change in situation about a job I really want to do. The way I would deal with this would be by taking time out and trying to find other jobs or by doing some voluntary to get some experience.
2. Personal relationships-change of place due to requirement of my job, illness of a family member, moving from my parents’ house to my own. The way I would deal with this would be try and spend more time with family and make time to chill out with them by going to the movies or just hanging out catching up.
3. Health- trying to maintain good health, trying to eat healthy, increasing weight, leading a healthy life style. The way I would deal with this would be by trying out new recipes and trying to cook healthier meals and have time with family to enjoy these foods.
4. College work- trying to complete all my work books on time and try to concentrate and not think or get distracted with other things. The way I would deal with this would be take a break every few hours to get myself together and once I’m stress free start on my work again.