There is an increasing responsibility for employers to protect the health & safety of their employees. The financial benefits to employers of compliance are significant. Regulations are immediately assessed and amended in line with changes in the workplace and how work conditions affect individuals. Key Legislation The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the basis for health and safety law, it sets out general duties which employers have towards employees and members of the public, and employees have to themselves and to each other. This also includes taking action to protect the health and well-being of employees after they return to work, if they become more vulnerable to risk because of illness, injury or disability.
Awareness of health and safety in social care . Legislation relating to general health and safety in a social care setting. - Health and Safety at work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety. Under this Act, the employer, the workers and the individuals being supported have responsibilities to ensure safety is maintained in the workplace. - Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 – Emphasize what employers are required to achieve under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
HSC 037 Promote and implement health and safety in health and Social care Health and safety basically means assessing your workplace and reducing the risks. As an employee I have to abide by the health and safety at work act 1974. This means I need to attend any mandatory training I have been put on, go to supervisions, adhere to policies and procedures, use correct equipment, do not misuse faulty equipment, report any risks that I have seen and co-operate with my employer. This is all to ensure the safety of myself and others. My employer must follow the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, their responsibilities are to provide the mandatory training and supervisions, ensure policies and procedures are put in place, plan, organise, control, monitor and review health and safety arrangements, make sure the equipment is available and to maintain risk assessments and to deal with chemicals and other substances safely.
Task 1 1.0 Identify the persons who are responsible for health and safety on the project described above: List the main site personell. Identify their roles and responsibilities in respect of health, safety and welfafe. Client: The client, whether a landlord, private individual or acompany, has many health and safety responsibilities.They must demonstrate an acceptable standard of health and safety. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (usually referred to as the CDM Regulations), they have specific responsibilities: They have to appoint the planning supervisor. They must provide all health and safety information about the workplace where the work is to be carried out.
Reporting of Injury, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) is relevant as it requires that any infection or disease that is work Related be recorded and reported. There are regulatory bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that produce standards to guide and inform infection prevention and control practices. The HSE is an independent regulator for work-related health, safety and illness; provide information and advice to reduce risks of accidents occurring in the workplace including the spread of
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (amended 2008) RIDDOR - sets out what needs to be reported. Health and Safety First Aid Regulations 1981 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 - emphasizes what employers are required to achieve under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Health and safety policies and procedures are in place to protect those in social care settings. They are to ensure that I adhere and comply to health and safety rules and regulations. Responsibilities Manager/ Employer To provide a safe place to work Prevent risks to health Assess risks and take action to reduce them Provide information, training and supervision as needed Ensure machinery is safe to use Provide adequate first aid facilities Provide PPE (free of charge) Carer/Employee To take reasonable care of my own and others’ health and safety To report to my manager any potential and actual risks and hazards Take part in any training provided To understand and comply with health and safety instructions and procedures Others To understand and comply with
CU311 The principles of infection prevention and control 1.1 Explain employees’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection. It is our responsibility as employees to take precautionary measures to prevent and control the spread of infection in the workplace this involves working safely to protect myself, other staff, visitors and individuals from infections. Some of the legislation and regulations that relate to the control and prevention of infection include the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and RIDDOR. It is important as employees that we are aware of these so that we can work safely. 1.2 Explain employers’ responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of Infection.
Legislations and regulations ensure that guidelines are followed to enforce safety and security within an organisation. Legislation is law which has been created by a governing body. Before a piece of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred to as legislation while it remains under consideration to distinguish it from other business. Policies ensure that everyone must work within the law and meet the minimum care standards set out by the legislation. Finally, procedures are the steps that are needed to be followed to ensure everyone’s safety within the workplace.
It provides the legal framework to promote and encourage high standards in the workplace. The Act, when first introduced, provided an integrated system dealing with workplace health and safety and the protection of the public from work activities. By placing duties upon employees, employers, the self-employed, manufacturers, designers and importers of work equipment and materials, the protection of the law, rights and responsibilities are available and given to all at work. An employer has a general duty to, as far as is reasonably practicable, safeguard the health, safety and welfare of employees by ensuring that plant and equipment are safe; safe handling, storage, maintenance and transport of articles and substances; provision for employees of information, instruction, training and supervision; a safe working environment and adequate welfare facilities; safe access and a safe system of work. Where there are five or more employees, an employer has an absolute duty to provide a written health and safety policy and to ensure that all employees have seen it.
SECTION 1: ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WHS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMActivity 11. What policies might an organisation develop as part of its commitment to health and safety? Policies an organisation may develop as its commitment to health and safety are i)) risk assessment ii) training - manual handling, heavy lifting, chemical use, personal protective equipment iii) duties of employers, workers and contractors iv) discrimination and harassment in the workplace 2. What information should be provided when communicating policies to workers? Workplace Health and Safety Policies, health and safety documentation as well as any other relevant health, safety and welfare information should be communicated to staff, this information can be found on state government legislation websites.