Individual needs within the health and social

care sectorsHazards in health and

social care environments

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

•Hazard is the object that could potentially hurt

someone•Risk is the harm it could do

The Health & Safety Executive suggests the following five-point process:

1. for Hazards2. Decide who might be at harm, and how.3. Evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide

whether more should be done.For example in a nursery:

Hazard – adult-size tables

Risk – children might hurt themselves on the corners

Level of risk to children – high

Minimise risk – buy small tables designed for children

Risk – adults could hurt themselves on the corners

Level of risk to adults - low

4. Record your findings. – using an assessment form. This should show that:

•Checks have been made•Hazards have been dealt with•The number of people affected has been considered•Precautions have been taken to reduce the risk.

5. Review your assessment from time to time and revise if necessary.

Hazards in care settings

Hazards are all around you, but carefully managed they will do no harm. A safety audit in your chosen care setting will identify hazards and their associate risks and show how risks can be minimised.

Toys are not unsafe but can be the cause of some accidents for example: A toy intended for an older child is given to a younger child or a toy that has been left in the wrong place and people trip over them.

Toys are involved in over 40,000 accidents each year (Royal Society for the prevention of Accidents, 2005).

All toys bought in the UK must conform to the Toy Safety Regulations 1995.

Toys

Hand washing – the most important way to prevent cross – infection is to wash your hands

Wearing gloves will offer a protective barrier against infection.

Protective Clothing must be worn when:

o coming into contact with bodily fluids or wastes.

o Disposing of waste.o Caring for someone who is

being treated for an infection.o Changing soiled linen.

Control of infectious diseases

Employers Employees

UK laws put obligations on employersto ensure the health and safety of their employers. Employers must ensure:

Employees also haveresponsibilities:

Arrangements are made to ensure the health and safety of employees

To take care of themselves and others who may be affected by what they do and what they fail to do.

Equipment is safe To cooperate with their employer in implementing health and safety regulations.

Adequate health and safety training is provided Not to interfere with or misuse any equipment provided to meet health and safety requirements.

The working environment does not put anyone at risk To report any dangerous situations to the manager.

A written safety policy is in place

The workplace is kept in good conditionPersonal protective equipment, e.g. Gloves, overalls, uniforms, is provided free of charge to employees

The workplace does not emit toxic fumes or dust.

Legislation covering particular hazards

Hazard Relevant legislation

Rooms and outdoor areas that pose a risk

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Unsafe furnishings Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Incorrect storage of chemicals Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

Inadequate control of infectious diseases

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995

Fire Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997

Lack of security measures Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

Pollution of air and/ or water Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997BUILDING EVACUATION PROCEDURES IN THE

EVENT OF FIRE OR BOMB ALERT:Raising the alarmOn hearing the alarm: Staff in senior positions

proceed to control point

All other staff: Close windows and doors etc

Assist able colleagues

Check the locality is clear

Assembly pointsDO NOT re-enter the building until you are told it is

safe to do so.

Fire Precaution

s

Never ignore smoke or smell

of burning

Go to the agreed

assembly point so that

someone knows you are out of the building

Do not use lifts to evacuate

Store flammable products

appropriately

Know where fire-fighting equipment is

kept

Do not panic

Know the evacuation procedure

Do not overload electrical

appliances

Ensure you know which

patients are in your care

Poor lifting techniques result in many thousands of lost working hours due to injury.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has set out guidelines to follow to avoid muscular and skeletal injury.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995

Information provided to the HSE can be used to

perform risk assessments.Every workplace should

have an accident report form.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002The law is designed

to ensure that employers control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

A member from the workplace should be responsible for implementing the guidelines of COSHH

Methods of disposal of waste

Type of waste Method of disposal

Clinical waste, e.g. Used wound dressings, bandages, nappies, sanitary dressings, soiled gloves

Yellow bag – when the bag is full, carefully seal and tag it indicating where the waste has come from, e.g. Labour ward, paediatrics, accident and emergency. This waste is burnt in an incinerator.

Sharps, e.g. Needles, glass, syringes Yellow sharps box – when the box is full, seal and tag it indicating location of box.

Body fluids, e.g. vomit, urine, faeces, blood, sputum

Wash down the sluice drain, and disinfect.

Dirty and soiled sheets and linen Red bag – seal and send to the laundry (the bag will disintegrate in the wash)

Recyclable instruments and equipment for sterilisation

Blue bag – seal and return to central sterilisation services department (CSSD) for cleaning, sterilising and repacking.

Waste paper Black bag – seal and tag for incineration or shredding of confidential information.