LEGISLATION RELEVANT TO INFECTION CONTROL Health and safety at work act (1974) This is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK, and is enforced by the health and safety executive (HSE). It states that the employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment and must carry out full risk assessments in order to achieve this. Employees must also be adequately trained to deal with these risks. In addition, under this act employers also have a duty to protect the welfare of others who may be affected (e.g. patients, visitors).
Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 These regulations require employers to notify the Health and Safety Executive, or other relevant authorities, of a range of occupational injuries, diseases and dangerous events. Control of substance hazardous to health regulation (COSHH) 2002 These regulations require employers to assess the risks from hazardous substances and take appropriate precautions to ensure that hazardous substances are correctly stored and used. Health and safety policies and procedures A health and social care organizations policies and procedures should always incorporate the key points of health and safety law. This means that a care practitioner will be able to put health and safety laws into practice simply by following their employer’s policies
The legislative framework for health, safety and risk management in the work setting. The health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or HASAW or HSW is the primary piece of legislation and is responsible for enforcing the act and a number of other acts relevant to the working environment. It also states that all staff are to take reasonable care of themselves and others around them and for their safety. There are differences between Acts and regulations being : An act is something which is passed by parliament. An act of parliament is the primary legislation of the UK, the law.
Under this legislation all employees have the responsibilities to cooperate with the Trust on matters of health and safety and in the context of this policy particularly regarding the reduction of risks from healthcare associated infections. Infection control policies, procedures and protocols are designed to outline the principals and responsibilities associated with the prevention and control of infection in a health care setting. Follow COSHH and RIDDOR Follow COSHH and RIDDOR Carry out risk assessments Carry out risk assessments Report Hazards and potential Risks Report Hazards and potential Risks Follow policies and procedures Follow policies and procedures Make sure all staff are safe Make sure all staff are safe Be accountable for yourself by checking your own equipment before and after use Be accountable for yourself by checking your own equipment before and after use
CU2624 1.1 The Health and Safety at work ect Act 1978 Regulates health and safety within the workplace, and under this piece of legislation you have a legal obligation to follow the policies and procedures your employer has established within the workplace. If you do not follow these the consequences of your actions could be severe. It could lead to accidents, mistakes, illness, death, charges of assault, complaints, disciplinary, dismissal, prosecution and even the closure of the organisation. You also have a duty to ensure you attend any training provided by your employer. This will ensure you are up to date with all aspects of handling medication.
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.
Safety and health in our company must be a part of every operation. Without question, it is every employee's responsibility at all levels. We will maintain a safety and health program conforming to the best practices of organizations of this type. In the direction of being successful, such a program must embody the proper attitudes toward injury and illness prevention on the part of supervisors and employees. It also requires cooperation in all safety and health matters, not only between supervisors and employees, but also between employees and their co-workers.
Unit 306 In my role of Support Worker I take Health and Safety of myself and others into account in everything I do and embark upon. With regards to legislation and health and safety our organisation follows the Health and Safety at Work Act very closely and we have our own Health and Safety Policy (separate document) which I have read and refer to whenever necessary. This document is a “live” document insofar as it recommends actual practise and informs the work we do in order to maintain the safety of all staff, service users and anyone else who comes into contact with our line of work. The main differences with regards to the health and safety responsibilities of different workers in different positions are to do with levels of accountability and protective factors which are put in place. As a support worker I have responsibility towards general health and safety of any client I come into contact with, myself and other staff I work alongside.
They must provide all health and safety information about the workplace where the work is to be carried out. They must appoint a competent,
UNIT 202 Introduction to personal development in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings. Outcome 1 Understand what is required for competence in own work role 1/ As a care worker it is my duties to ensure I promote a professional and well presented manner. It is my duty to ensure I have been given full training when regarding to medical or manual handling activities. It is my responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of the people I support. I must report any danger that I think can cause harm to myself or others, I have a responsibility to follow company procedures and policies always within my own role.