QEE3/001 COMPLYING WITH STATUTORY REGULATIONS AND ORGANISATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS 1. What are the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others under the Health and Safety at Work Act and current legislation? Personal protective equipment is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. The Regulations also require that PPE: - is properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable; - is maintained and stored properly; - is provided with instructions on how to use it safely; and - is used correctly by employees. - simple maintenance can be carried out by the trained wearer, but more intricate repairs should only be done by specialists.
1.2 The employers have a responsibility to make sure correct PPE is made available, organise the necessary training for staff and undertake risk assessments regarding infection control. The employers must inform staff of infection control policies and procedures and make sure they are provided with the necessary information to follow safe practices when working such as a COSHH file, risk assessments and information posters. 2.1 Most of the legal regulations relating to infection control come under the Health and Safety at work act. This act is about ensuring a safe work place for employers, employees and members of the public by minimising accidents and infection spreading at work.
Control of substance hazardous to health 2002 In the care sector these regulations may apply to cleaning materials and medications that may be dangerous if not used properly. Care providers must protect staff and service users from harm by ensuring that potentially dangerous substances are safely stored and that staff that use them are properly trained to do so. Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations 1995 Employers, the self-employed and ‘responsible persons’ (people in control of work premises) have an obligation to report death or serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses) to the HSE. Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 Employers must ensure that first aid equipment and trained first-aiders are present in the workplace and that
• As an employee I must attend any necessary training that is provided by my employer regarding the prevention and control of infection. • It is important as an employee that I am aware of these regulations and legislation so that I can work safely; at work there is information which is provided in the health and safety file and COSHH file. • As an employee if I come across a hazard such as bodily fluids spilt in an area or a staff member not wearing gloves it must be reported and not ignore it as this may cause infection to spread. • In the workplace I need to put the safe ways of working into practice; for example by effective hand washing, not coming into work when I am not feeling well as this will be putting others at risk. • All equipment needs to be cleaned correctly to avoid
CASE STUDY APRIL, 2013 TASK 1 1. Hazard: Manual handling Risk: Back injury, repetitive strain Measures: Teach and remind employees of correct lifting and carrying techniques. Rotate tasks. Employer is required to carry out risk assessments, and take action to protect employees from the risks of manual handling. Prevention measures include: * Designing and organising tasks to avoid manual handling completely, or at least restrict it.
For example, If we notice a client has a sore spot at the base of the spine and we fail to report it or apply cream to it, in a very short space of time it could develop into a pressure sore which is neglient. Aiii WHAT HAVING A DUTY OF CARE MEANS FOR A CARE GIVING ORGANSIATION Organisations must do as much as is reasonable possible to keep individuals safe from harm. This can be achieved by providing policies and proccedures to keep all in the setting safe. Respond to reports and complaints, address any risk. Included in the policies and proceedures the organsiation needs to be aware of dangers, carrying out risk assessment, respecting the individuals right to make risky choices ( after you have done all that is possible to dissuade them), take actions to keep individuals safe and log and report any dangers or problems.
As an employee I must be aware of and use safe working practices laid down for one’s safety also: * Making proper use of the equipment provided. * Cooperating with employer on health and safety matters * Being able to identify hazardous handling activities * Taking care to ensure that one’s activities do not put others at risk. Principles for safe moving and handling are: * Stand as close to the load as possible with feet apart and one foot in front of the other * Decide how to grip before lifting; grip the load firmly and try not to change position once started * Bend your knees and keep one’s back in a natural position * Hold load firmly and near to the body as comfortable * Lift using your legs, not your back * Keep the load near the centre of your body adjusting your feet as necessary. * If lifting with a colleague, cooperate to make sure that both lift at the same time. It is important to follow an individual’s care plan before moving and handling that individual identifying the risk associated with the resident’s mobility fir the health and safety of that individual and one’s self.
The employee must follow all health and safety policies, follow the instructions provided with any equipment and ensure the cleaning products are used in the correct manner. they must also ensure they wear the protective equipment provided. Lifting operating and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER)1998, this aims to reduce the risk to people's health and safety from lifting equipment used at work, employers have a duty to ensure that equipment is examined and inspected regularly by the appropriate staff to maintain safety, this is recorded and any defects reported. In relation to RIDDOR, an accident is a separate, identifiable, unintended incident, which causes physical injury. This specifically includes acts of non-consensual violence to people at work.
Employees must cooperate with these arrangements and take reasonable care of themselves and others. Employers have a duty to display a health and safety law poster. Control of Substances Hazardous To Health Regulations (COSSH) 1994 Early years setting’s regularly uses cleaning products that could potentially be hazardous. Cleaning maybe required after toileting or paint spillages or any other accident. The following guidelines should be followed to minimise risk of injury: Employers should give training on control measures and how to use them, provide protective clothing and equipment along with emergency procedures.
The control of Substance Hazards to Health Regulations (COSHH). This require employers to control substances that can be dangerous for workers health. Reporting of injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. This require employers to report the Health and Safety Executive of any injuries, diseases and dangerous events. The policies and procedures are set out in the workplace in order to maintain a safe place for work and to ensure all aspects of care and legal framework are covered.