Health and safety in social care setting Essay

Outcome 1 understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social settings 1.1 List legislation relating to general health and safety in social care setting. There are a small number of legal acts relating to the general health and safety in social care. The most important one it seems to me would the 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, and there should be a copy of this act on the works premises for use of any employee or service user. The legislations key goals are: To ensure the health, safety and welfare of people at work To protect others from risks arising from the activities of people at work To control the use and storage of dangerous substances  To control the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances Other legislation relating to health and safety in social care are as follows 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 (known as 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 (known as RIDDOR) outlines what is required to be recorded and reported. Read more: Describe practices that prevent fires from spreading essay Food safety act 1990 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE) 1992 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 1.2 Describe the main points of health and safety policies and procedures. 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 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, that is if the level of work is to keep up with the standard  required to maintain itself within the COSHH legislation. Or even simpler things that do not include any harmful substances, such as keeping entrances clear and ensuring that any fire exits are able to be opened in an emergency by undertaking health and safety checks on the release, as well as ensuring all nurse call buzzers work properly. The policies and procedures ensure that all risk assessments are up to date and in place for all service users, and that all members of staff are trained in necessary areas, such as manual handling and data protection, along with general things such as reporting faulty appliances or any needed maintenance and showing where it should be recorded and who it should be reported to. As well as having regular supervisions and staff meetings to inform them of any changes to the way the business operates in regards to health and safety. 1.3 Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of: a) The social care worker: Health and safety responsibilities that pertain to me as the social care 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 hurt then I am to record and report it appropriately, even if it just a concern. b) The employer or manager The employer and manager have the responsibility 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 to charge for any PPE or first aid facilities. It is also the manager’s role to assess any existing risks and create ways to minimize them, and to provide training on health and safety. c) Individuals All other staff, such as domestic and maintenance must follow all policies and procedures similar to that of the social care worker, and any visitors, including doctors, relatives, nurses and contractors must follow all health and safety protocols, as well as recording and reporting health and safety related concerns or incidents. Take reasonable care for own and others health and safety and understand and follow health and safety instructions and procedures also Work with the carer to use equipment safely. 1.4 Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should only be carried out with special training. Employers have legal duties to give health and safety information and training to all employees. Training should include all the risks that employees are exposed to and the precautions needed. It is usual for all new staff to be given induction training on joining the home care service. The training should make clear the areas of activity home careers should and should not under take and should also give guidance on appropriate footwear and clothing. Where the risk assessment identifies that such clothing is required to protect staff from hazards they should be provided and maintained at no cost to members. Induction programs must also include health and safety training and should cover: †¢ Manual handling †¢ Infection control †¢ Fire procedures †¢ First aid †¢ Basic hygiene †¢ Food preparation, storage and hygiene †¢ Dealing with emergency situations †¢ the use of protective clothing and/or equipment. UNISON safety representatives have the right to be Consulted on the type and level of health and safety Training and information developed or offered to members. In addition to the induction, training should be given to employees when: †¢ There is a transfer of job, a change in clients or changes in responsibility †¢ New equipment is used, or existing use changed †¢ There are changes in work methods. Employers must also provide information for employees, that is easy to underst and and which is relevant. Information for employees who have difficulty in understanding or reading English should also be considered. 1.5 Describe how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety. I could ask my colleagues, my manager, the health and safety executive. My office has a health and safety poster outlining both the employer’s responsibilities and the employee’s responsibilities with the name of the health and safety contact. All job descriptions and contracts must have health and safety issues relating to the individual and home within their  wording NVQ/QCF Training have health and safety, manual handling, fire, food and first aid issues in the training programs There are statutory requirements for health and safety, manual handling, fire, food and first aid to be trained in for general knowledge, i.e. what people should know and specific training, i.e. Manual Handling Trainer. Trade magazines have articles/adverts regarding health and safety and training programmers for this Registration and Inspection Officers enquire into these issues and often ask careers about their training Fire officers and Environmental Health officers can enquire regarding training and highlight inefficiencies.