Health, safety and security in health and social care
Hazard: danger or a risk Hazards relating to physical environment e.g. equipment no being stored away properly, faulty lighting, items being left out to trip over, wonky steps Hazards relating to equipment e.g. equipment left out for people to use unsupervised, used equipment left out passing on the spread of infections an disease > this then leads on to hazards regarding infections Hazards relating to infections e.g. un-sanitised equipment, little use of hand sanitizer, washing, disposing of used equipment correctly Hazards relating to working conditions e.g. equipment checks not carried out, lack of safety equipment to wear, lack of rules leading to incorrect behaviour, faulty equipment, manual handling, noise, air quality, doors, stairs, platforms, use of chemicals, infections, viruses, travelling of bacteria, stress, fatigue
Harm and abuse: possibility of, eg abuse, injury, acquired infection, psychological distress, inappropriate care planning, exposure to danger, stress, loss of/damage to, eg belongings, premises
Who are the people exposed to hazards: Individuals: those receiving care; workers in a setting: care staff (based in setting, visiting setting), support staff (eg caterers, cleaners, administrative), visitors (eg relatives, friends, volunteers)
Where can the hazards be: residential care, hospital, day care, pre-school, infant school, child-minder, clinic, surgery, any location where an individual receives care services (including in own home or the community); public environment, eg retail area, swimming pool, public park, sports ground, beach, transport
Legislations: Health and Safety at Work Act, Food Safety Act, Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations, Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), Data Protection Act, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, Care Homes Regulations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Care Minimum Standards (various supplements)
Safeguarding: protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure -looks at young people, children and vulnerable adults Safeguarding children and promoting their welfare includes:
Protecting them from maltreatment or things that are bad for their health or development.
Making sure they grow up in circumstances that allow safe and effective care.
Safeguarding adults includes:
Protecting their rights to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
People and organisations working together to prevent the risk of abuse or neglect, and to stop them them from happening.
Making sure people's wellbeing is promoted, taking their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs into account.
Risk assessment: A risk assessment is a plan put in place to reduce the risk of harm occurring, it aims to identify potential risks to the health, safety or security of a care practitioner. -An examination of the work place for potential risks >assess the risk >calculate the degree of the risk >control the risk >monitor how the risk is being controlled >reappraising the risk (evaluating)