Contribute to Health & Safety in Health & Social · PDF fileContribute to Health & Safety in...
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Version 1- 01/10/10
In Association With
Learning work book to contribute to the
achievement of the underpinning
knowledge for unit: HSC 027
Contribute to Health & Safety
in Health & Social Care
Credit value 4
All rights reserved, no parts of this publication may be reproduced,
copied, stored or transmitted without the prior permission of
The Learning Company Ltd
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Q C F A C D H & S C L 2 L i c e n s e d u n t i l F e b 1 2 U n i t H S C 0 2 7
Page 2
Learner’s Name:
Learner’s Signature:
(Please sign inside the box)
Employer’s Name:
Employer’s Address:
Start Date:
Anticipated End Date:
College Provider:
Learner’s Enrolment Number:
Mentor’s Name:
Assessor’s Name:
Internal Verifier’s Name:
I V’s Sampling Date:
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INTRODUCTION
This workbook provides the learning you need to help you to
achieve a unit towards your qualification. Your qualification on the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) is made up of units, each
with their own credit value; some units might be worth 3 credits,
some might have 6 credits, and so on. Each credit represents 10
hours of learning and so gives you an idea of how long the unit will
take to achieve.
Qualification rules state how many credits you need to achieve and
at what levels, but your assessor or tutor will help you with this.
Awarding Organisation rules state that you need to gather evidence
from a range of sources. This means that, in addition to completing this workbook, you should also find other ways to gather evidence
for your tutor/assessor such as observed activity; again, your
assessor will help you to plan this.
To pass your qualification, you need to achieve
all of the learning outcomes and/or performance
criteria for each unit. Your qualification may
contain essential units and optional units. You’ll
need to complete a certain amount of units with
the correct credit value to achieve your
qualification. Your tutor/assessor can talk to you more about this if
you’re worried and they’ll let you know how you’re doing as you
progress.
This workbook has been provided to your learning provider under
licence by The Learning Company Ltd; your training provider is
responsible for assessing this qualification. Both your provider and
your Awarding Organisation are then responsible for validating it.
THE STUDY PROGRAMME
This unit is designed for individuals who are working in or wish to
pursue a career in their chosen sector. It will provide a valuable,
detailed and informative insight into that sector and is an interesting and enjoyable way to learn.
Your study programme will increase your knowledge, understanding
and abilities in your industry and help you to become more
confident, by underpinning any practical experience you may have
with sound theoretical knowledge.
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WHERE TO STUDY The best way to complete this workbook
is on your computer. That way you can
type in your responses to each activity
and go back and change it if you want
to. Remember, you can study at home,
work, your local library or wherever you
have access to the internet. You can also print out this workbook and read through
it in paper form if you prefer. If you choose to do this, you’ll have to
type up your answers onto the version saved on your computer
before you send it to your tutor/assessor (or handwrite them and post the pages).
WHEN TO STUDY
It’s best to study when you know you have time to yourself. Your
tutor/assessor will help you to set some realistic targets for you to
finish each unit, so you don’t have to worry about rushing anything. Your tutor/assessor will also let you know when they’ll next be
visiting or assessing you. It’s really important that you stick to the
deadlines you’ve agreed so that you can achieve your qualification
on time.
HOW TO STUDY
Your tutor/assessor will agree with you the
order for the workbooks to be completed;
this should match up with the other
assessments you are having. Your tutor/assessor will discuss each workbook
with you before you start working on it,
they will explain the book’s content and how they will assess your
workbook once you have completed it.
Your Assessor will also advise you of the sort of evidence they will
be expecting from you and how this will map to the knowledge and
understanding of your chosen qualification. You may also have a mentor appointed to you. This will normally be a line manager who
can support you in your tutor/assessor’s absence; they will also
confirm and sign off your evidence.
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You should be happy that you have enough information, advice and
guidance from your tutor/assessor before beginning a workbook. If you are experienced within your job and familiar with the
qualification process, your tutor/assessor may agree that you can
attempt workbooks without the detailed information, advice and
guidance.
THE UNITS
We’ll start by introducing the unit and clearly explaining the
learning outcomes you’ll have achieved by the end of the unit.
There is a learner details page at the front of each workbook. Please ensure you fill all of the details in
as this will help when your workbooks go through
the verification process and ensure that they are
returned to you safely. If you do not have all of the
information, e.g. your learner number, ask your
tutor/assessor.
To begin with, just read through the workbook. You’ll come across
different activities for you to try. These activities won’t count
towards your qualification but they’ll help you to check your
learning.
You’ll also see small sections of text called “did you know?” These
are short, interesting facts to keep you interested and to help you enjoy the workbook and your learning.
At the end of this workbook you’ll find a section called
‘assessments’. This section is for you to fill in so that you can prove you’ve got the knowledge and evidence for your chosen
qualification. They’re designed to assess your learning, knowledge
and understanding of the unit and will prove that you can complete
all of the learning outcomes.
Each Unit should take you about 3 to 4 hours to complete,
although some will take longer than others. The important
thing is that you understand, learn and work at your own
pace.
YOU WILL RECEIVE HELP AND SUPPORT
If you find that you need a bit of help and guidance with your
learning, then please get in touch with your tutor/assessor. If you know anyone else doing the same programme as you, then
you might find it very useful to talk to them too.
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Certification
When you complete your workbook, your
tutor/assessor will check your work. They will then sign
off each unit before you move on to the next one.
When you’ve completed all of the required workbooks
and associated evidence for each unit, your assessor
will submit your work to the Internal Verifier for
validation. If it is validated, your training provider will then apply for your certificate. Your centre will send your certificate to you when
they receive it from your awarding organisation. Your tutor/assessor
will be able to tell you how long this might take.
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Unit HSC027: Contribute to health and safety in health and
social care
About this unit
This unit is aimed at those working in a wide range of settings. It
provides the learner with the knowledge and skills required to carry
out their work safely.
Learning outcomes
There are nine learning outcomes to this unit. The learner will be
able to:
1. Understand own responsibilities, and the responsibilities of
others, relating to health and safety in the work setting
2. Understand the use of risk assessments in relation to health
and safety
3. Understand procedures for responding to accidents and
sudden illness 4. Be able to reduce the spread of infection
5. Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects
safely
6. Know how to handle hazardous substances and materials
7. Understand how to promote fire safety in the work setting
8. Be able to implement security measures in the work setting 9. Know how to manage own stress
Maintaining health and safety in the workplace Your responsibility includes the monitoring of workplace practices
such as care activities; care procedures; and the use of care
materials and specialist equipment. You are also
responsible for minimising any risk such as the
possibility of danger, damage and destruction to
the environment and goods; or the possibility of injury and harm to people. For example, you
might be responsible for dealing with accidents
caused by: falls; illness; disability; weaknesses;
sensory impairment; or frailty. You might also be responsible for dealing with untoward incidents such as: intruders; chemical
spillages; missing valuables; aggressive or dangerous encounters;
and fire or bomb scares.
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for regulating
health and safety at work. The HSE does this via a code of practice for employers which aim to prevent illness and accidents at work
through the provision of guidance and up to date
information (www.hse.gov.uk). The HSE has the
power to prosecute employers who fail to
safeguard the health and safety of people who
access and use their premises. The Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974 lays down the duties of
employers and employees. Under this Act the employer has to
protect the health, safety and security of staff, service users and
visitors. In order to do this, the employer is required to draw up
safety policy and procedures, and to make arrangements for these
policy and procedures to be carried out, and then regularly
reviewed. Also, employers have to provide:
� A safe working environment
� Safe access to and from the workplace
� Information on health and safety
� Health and safety training
� A risk assessment of potential hazards
The employee has a responsibility to:
� Take reasonable care of his or her own health and safety as well as the health and safety of others e.g. service users and
their visitors
� Cooperate with his or her employer on health and safety issues
� Ensure that any health and safety equipment is not
intentionally damaged.
Health and safety, is therefore a shared responsibility between
employer and employee. Each are responsible for
the health, safety and welfare of service users and
their visitors to ensure that hazards in the
workplace are minimised. Each workplace must
therefore have a written health and safety policy, which must include:
� A statement of intent to provide a safe
working environment
� The named person responsible for implementing the policy
� The names of individuals responsible for any particular health
and safety hazards
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� A list of potential health and safety hazards and the
procedures to be followed when working with these � A procedure for recording accidents and illnesses at work
Hazards in the work place might include:
Environmental hazards-
� Wet or slippery floors and stairs
� Untidy corridors or passageways
� Worn carpets or rugs
� Loose or bare electrical flexes
Hazards associated with equipment-
� Faulty brakes on beds and wheelchairs
� Incorrectly labelled substances � Worn or damaged hoists and slings
� Incorrect or faulty waste disposal
Hazards associated with people-
� Moving and handling procedures
� Incorrect hand washing
� Incorrect food handling � Violence and/or aggressive behaviour
It is your responsibility as a care worker to identify, and then deal with any potential hazards so that any potential risk to staff, service
users or visitors can be minimised. You are particularly responsible
for this type of activity if you are supervising other staff. If
appropriate, you should deal with any potential hazard yourself e.g. trailing flexes can be moved,
cluttered corridors can be tidied, or wet floors can
be mopped dry. However, there may be
occasions when you will have to seek further help
and advice, or report a potential hazard to your
manager e.g. or faulty equipment in need of repair, or suspicious persons on the premises who’s identity needs
to be checked.
Maintaining a Secure Workplace
Dealing with Visitors
There will be many visitors to your care home in addition to services
users’ relatives: e.g. doctors, district nurses, trades people.
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You and the service users with whom you work need to feel safe
and secure. Your workplace will have a workplace policy on visitors to ensure this. However, as a general rule you should: check the
identity of all visitors to the nursing home e.g. ask for
identity badges and ask for a works telephone number
so that you can ring and ascertain the identity of
tradesperson etc. You should also:
� Check with your supervisor that the visitor has clearance to
visit
� Check that the service user wants to see the visitor
� Check the visitor completes the visitors book, and give them a
visitors badge
� Get to know regular visitors to the home and introduce them
to other staff � Know how to raise the alarm if you discover an intruder.
DID YOU KNOW?
Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent
Roberts.
ACTIVITY ONE
Circle the words or phrases you would associate with a safe
work environment
Responsibility Hazard Mug
Cup Visitor book Moving and handling
HSE Glass Monitoring
Maintaining the Security of Possessions
Property and valuables belonging to individuals within a care home
must be safeguarded. Many service users will want to keep their
treasured possessions with them, but if they are of value staff
should offer to place them in safekeeping. Usually, a property book
is kept for this purpose, and it is regularly updated as the circumstances of the service user changes. Staff should record the
following details:
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� All possessions on admission to the home
� A separate record of any valuable items e.g. Jewellery � Items of jewellery should be itemised according to their colour
e.g. “ white metal” rather than “silver.”
� The service user should sign a disclaimer for any valuables
they keep themselves. This usually states that the service
user is responsible for any loss.
It is likely that your employer will have a policy and set procedures
relating to the safekeeping of valuables – see activity below:
Risk Assessment
Employers are required by law to identify and
assess risks in the workplace, including any
procedures or situations that may cause harm. If any potential risks are identified, the Management
of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
require employers to introduce risk control measures e.g. the
provision of warning signs when floor cleaning is in operation.
According to the HSE there are 5 key stages in the risk assessment
process:
� What is the purpose of the risk assessment?
� Who has to assess the risk?
� Whose risk should be assessed? � What should be assessed?
� When should the risk be assessed?
You must always ensure that a risk assessment has been
undertaken before you carry out any work activity, and then follow
the steps identified in order to reduce any risk. In addition, you
must balance the individual preferences of the service user with your own safety and the safety of others e.g. co-workers, other
service users and their visitors
Environmental Risk Assessment
The Health and Safety Executive states that a
general health and safety risk assessment of your care home should include the following:
Floors
� Are there slippery surfaces?
� Have spillages been cleaned up?
� Are floor surfaces suitable, non-slip, flat, properly maintained?
� Are there obstructions or tripping hazards?
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Stairs
� Are they well lit? � Is the stair covering in good condition and
clean? � Are there obstructions?
Lighting
� Are bulbs working?
� Are lighting levels sufficient, including those on stairs and
corridors?
Ventilation
� Are there odours?
� Are there draughts?
� Is there sufficient fresh air? � Have chemicals, fumes, steam and condensation been
removed?
Windows
� Are restraints in place?
� Is glazing in good condition? � Is the glazing material appropriate?
Display screen equipment
� Has the work station been assessed to reduce the risk? � Has the equipment, furniture, software, worker’s needs been
considered?
� Are eyesight tests needed? � Are staff trained to use and set up their work station safely?
Water and surface temperatures
� Are thermostatic mixing valves operating at the required temperature?
� Are hot water temperatures regularly tested
using a thermometer? � Is the maintenance schedule for the
thermostatic valves followed?
� Are radiators and pipe work hotter than 43 degrees centigrade?
� If yes, what remedial action has been taken
to protect vulnerable service users?
� Is the room temperature comfortable i.e. Not too hot or cold?
Kitchen safety
� Are machines properly guarded? � Are floors clean, slip resistant and dry?
� Is there room to move around safely?
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� Is ventilation sufficient? � Are staff trained in kitchen hygiene, use of equipment etc? � Is food stored correctly, at the correct temperature?
Laundry
� Are machine interlocks working?
� Is there separation of soiled laundry?
Outside environment
� Are steps and paths in good condition and
well lit? � Has a risk assessment of falls from
balconies been undertaken?
� Are pesticides locked away?
� Are staff trained to use outdoor equipment safely? � Do staff have suitable protective equipment?
Risk Assessment for environments other than your care
home
It might be that you are planning a visit to the local shops or the
cinema, or planning a holiday with your service provider. If so, you
will need to consider:
� Accessibility to the premises � Accessibility and safety of the transport you intend to use
� Any potential hazards that might be present
� Safe and accessible toilet facilities � Dietary arrangements
� Moving and handling arrangements
� Security of people, property and any travel documents
� Insurance.
You will need to undertake this risk assessment before you
undertake any visit, and you will need to record the outcomes of
your assessment in the service users care plan.
Risk assessment for substances that might be hazardous to health
There are also many potentially hazardous substances
and chemicals in your workplace, including:
� Cleaning materials e.g. Bleach and disinfectant that
can cause burns or poisoning � Drugs and medicines e.g. Antibiotic powders that can cause
poisoning or allergy
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� Latex e.g. protective gloves that can cause skin allergy. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH) have been put in place to protect you against these
harmful substances. In particular,
COSHH states that employers must:
� Ensure safe storage and disposal of
substances that are harmful to health
� Check that health hazards from all
substances are assessed, including the
laundry, kitchen and outdoors
� Ensure appropriate control measures are implemented
� Ensure staff are trained about safe procedures and use of protective clothing
� Check that procedures for spillages are in place, and
� Check that new staff are trained before using substances.
Before any substances are used in the workplace, employers must
undertake the following risk assessment:
� What substances are present and in what form?
� What harmful effects are possible?
� Where and how are the substances stored, used and handled? � Are harmful fumes produced, especially if products are mixed?
� Can a safer substance be used?
� Who could be affected, to what extent, for how long and under what circumstances?
� How likely is it that exposure will happen?
� Are precautions required, such as ventilation and protective
equipment?
Your care home will have a COSHH protection file. This will tell you
what protective clothing you should wear (if any), how to store any
hazardous substances, and how to dispose of any hazardous
substances e.g. used needles should be placed in a yellow sharps
box.
DID YOU KNOW?
There are thirteen languages spoken by
more than 100 million people. They are:
Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish, Russian,
Arabic, Bengali, Portugese, Malay-
Indonesian, French, Japanese, German and Urdu.
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ACTIVITY TWO
Circle the words or phrases you would associate with COSHH
Glass Substances Storage
Harmful Mug Disposal
Training Spillage Cup
Reporting accidents or ill health
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995, came into force on 1 April 1996. RIDDOR requires the reporting of work-related accidents, diseases
and dangerous occurrences. It applies to all work activities, but not
to all incidents. Reporting accidents and ill health at work is a legal
requirement. The information that is reported enables the enforcing
authorities to identify where and how risks arise and to investigate
serious accidents. The enforcing authorities can
then help and advise on preventive action to reduce
injury, ill health and accidental loss. Your employer
needs to report any: deaths; major injuries;
accidents resulting in over 3 day injury; diseases;
dangerous occurrences and gas incidents. All
accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences can be reported to
the Incident Contact Centre ( www.riddor.gov.uk/info.html) Your employer must keep a record of any accident, reportable injury,
disease or dangerous occurrence. The record must include:
� The date and method of reporting; � The date, time and place of the event,
� Personal details of those involved and � A brief description of the nature of the event or disease.
Any accidents that occur at work must be recorded in an Accident
Report Book. The details contained in this document are confidential
and must comply with the Data Protection Act (1998).
Safe Manual Handling The spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae. These are joined
together along the backbone in an S shape. The S shape gives our
backbone flexibility and strength, and enables us to maintain our balance.
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If the spine is twisted out of shape, it can cause serious injury to
the vertebrae. The spine protects our spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the bottom of
the spine to the brain. The spinal cord carries
messages from the brain to the muscles, and from
the muscles to the brain. This enables us to
maintain our posture, and to move. Damage to
the spinal cord can cause paralysis. The vertebrae
are cushioned by inter-vertebral discs. These act
as shock absorbers. If too much pressure is put on these discs (e.g.
by lifting a heavy object) they can tear or prolapse. This can be
very painful. The discs are linked together by spinal ligaments. If
these become overstretched (e.g. by jerky or sudden movements),
they can sprain and become swollen and painful. The muscles of the
spine are the muscles of the back, chest and pelvis. They are attached to the vertebrae and give strength and flexibility to the
spine. Strong and well-toned back muscles are essential for moving
and handling activities. However, they can be easily torn and
become swollen and painful.
The Manual Handling Regulations 1992 were introduced to reduce
the number of injuries from moving and handling activities. The
term ‘manual handling’ includes the lifting, moving putting down,
pushing, pulling and carrying by hand or bodily force of goods,
equipment and people. An employer must avoid moving and handling where there is a risk of injury to staff, assess the risk of
injury from moving and handling, and reduce the risk of moving and
handling. An employee must make full and proper use of the manual handling systems and equipment provided. You might be
involved in moving objects as well as people. In order to reduce the
risk of injury you should consider whether the move is necessary,
whether it can be done in a different way, or whether any special equipment is needed. Your risk assessment should consider:
Task > Load > Environment > Individual Capability.
Task - you must assess whether the task involves:
� Holding the load at a distance from your body
� Bending, twisting, stooping or stretching
� Moving the load over excessive distances
� Frequent or prolonged physical effort � Any sudden movement of the load
Load - you must assess whether the load is: � Heavy or bulky
� Difficult to grasp
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� Unstable e.g. Unpredictable behaviour
� Potentially harmful e.g. An agitated or aggressive individual Environment - you must assess whether:
� The space is adequate e.g. Not restricted by furniture
� The height is appropriate e.g. Beds can be raised by wooden
blocks
� The floors are slippery or uneven � The floors are level e.g. Are there any slopes
or stairs?
Individual capability - you must consider yourself
as well as other members of the team, particularly
whether you or they:
� Have been adequately trained in moving and handling
� Are pregnant, or have a disability � Are wearing any clothing that might restrict their movement
� Are wearing any jewellery that might injure any staff or
service users
� Are tired or fatigued
Most care homes have a risk assessment checklist that you can use
to generate an agreed lifting plan. This should be kept in the service
user’s care plan. As a general rule, you should always:
� Undertake a risk assessment prior to any move � Follow the agreed lifting plan contained in the service user’s
notes
� Give clear instructions to colleagues concerning the move � Check any equipment prior to its use
� Ensure you maintain your centre of balance
throughout the move
� Hold the load close to your body, or get as close to the load as possible
� Avoid bending, twisting, stooping or stretching
� Avoid moving the load over excessive distances
� Avoid frequent or prolonged physical effort
� Avoid sudden movements
� Allow adequate time for rest and recovery
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Risk Assessment Checklist:
1. Is the individual weight bearing? Yes/No
2. Is the individual unsteady? Yes/No
3. What is the individual’s general level of mobility?
Good/Poor
4. What is the individual’s weight? (Please state)
5. What is the individual’s height? (Please state)
6. How many people are required to move this individual? (See care plan)
7. What equipment is needed e.g. hoist, transfer board etc?
(Please state)
8. Is equipment available? Yes/No
9. If not, is there a safe alternative? Yes/No
10. Are the required number of people available? Yes/No 11. What is the purpose of the move? (Please state)
12. Can the move be safely achieved? Yes/No
DID YOU KNOW?
In the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta,
if a man was not married by age 30, he
would not be allowed to vote or watch
athletic events involving nude young
men.
ACTIVITY THREE
Circle the words or phrases you would associate with moving
and handling
Load Environment Cat
Dog Task Individual capability
Equipment Horse Regulations
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Infection control
Communicable or infectious diseases are caused
by:
� Bacteria e.g. Food poisoning
� Viruses e.g. Influenza
� Fungi e.g. thrush.
The older person is often at risk from infectious or communicable
diseases because they live in close contact with others in the
nursing home, and their immunity to micro-organisms such as
bacteria and viruses is often low. This might be because of the
medicines they are taking, or their nutrition may be poor. Infection
control, or the ways in which the spread of infection might be reduced, is an important part of a care worker’s job. In fact, the
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 require that your employer reports
certain cases of infectious diseases to the local environmental
health officer.
Micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can be spread
by:
� Direct contact – being touched by an infectious person e.g. Scabies
� Indirect contact – touching materials an infected person has
used e.g. Impetigo � Inhalation – breathing in infected droplets from a cough or
sneeze e.g. Influenza
� Ingestion – from contaminated food e.g. Salmonella food
poisoning � Injection – from needle stick injury e.g. HIV or
Hepatitis B
Preventing the spread of blood borne infections such
as HIV and Hepatitis B is a particularly important job for the care
worker. In fact, you and your employer have a duty under COSHH regulations to do this. The Health and Safety Executive indicates
that the following is particularly important:
� The risk of contamination from infected materials, including
used instruments, used needles and soiled laundry
� Do you wear appropriate protective equipment and clothing?
� Do you cover cuts, grazes etc with waterproof dressings? � Do you follow basic hygiene procedures, including regular
hand washing?
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� Do you follow procedures for cleaning up spillages?
� Do you know how to deal with a needle stick accident i.e. Encourage bleeding, wash wound liberally with soap and
water, report and record accident?
� Have you been advised about Hepatitis b immunisation?
The importance of uniforms
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Regulations 1992 state that your employer must
provide you with protective clothing. You will be
provided with a uniform. This should not be worn
outside the care home (i.e. to and from work), or
at home, as it might be contaminated and could spread infection to
the outside community or your family. You should change from your
uniform into outside clothes before you leave the care home, and store your uniform in the lockers provided for you in the workplace.
You should not take uniforms home to wash, but should use the
laundry service provided by your employer. You will also be
provided with plastic apron to wear when attending to the personal
hygiene needs of service users. This will help to protect your
uniform from spillages of urine, faeces etc. and prevent cross
infection. You must wear a clean apron for every service user you
work with, and correctly dispose of it in the clinical waste bag when
finished. If you have to work with body fluids and waste or soiled
laundry, you will also be provided with gloves. You must wear these, for your own protection and to prevent the spread of
infection from one service user to another. You should place any
used gloves into the clinical waste bin. It is most important that you wash your hands after wearing them.
Handwashing
One of the most important measures you can take to prevent the spread of any infection is correct hand washing technique.
Particularly before you:
� Handle food
� Give out any medicines
� Give emergency first aid � Handle any wounds.
Also, you should wash your hands after you:
� Use the lavatory
� Assist others to use the lavatory
� Cough or sneeze, or use a handkerchief � Handle any dressings or wounds
� Make beds
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� Handle rubbish
� Handle raw food � Handle dirty or soiled laundry.
When washing your hands it is important that you
use the following technique as this will remove
most of the bacteria that cause contagious
diseases i.e. diseases spread by direct or indirect
contact.
Correct hand washing techniques
� Wet your hands with hot running water
� Rub some liquid soap between your palms
� Rub your right palm over the back of your left hand � Rub your left palm over the back of your right hand
� Rub your palms together with your fingers interlocked
� Rub the back of the fingers of your left hand with your right
palm
� Rub the back of your fingers of the of your right hand with
your left palm
� Rub around your left thumb with your right palm
� Rub around your right thumb with your left palm
� Rub your left fingertips round and round in your right palm
� Rub your right fingertips round and round in your left palm � Rub your left wrist with your right hand
� Rub your right wrist with your left hand
� Rinse both hands thoroughly under running water � Dry each hand on a clean paper towel
� Discard paper towel into pedal bin, without touching the top
or the sides of the bin.
REMEMBER, the correct hand washing procedure will take several
minutes and you will still need to wash your hands even if you were
wearing gloves!
Safe Food Handling
Food that is not handled correctly can become
contaminated with bacteria, viruses and fungi, which
can cause food poisoning. The symptoms of food
poisoning are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and
diarrhoea. Food poisoning bacteria grow in raw or
waste food and rotting rubbish. Pests e.g. mice and
cockroaches carry food poisoning bacteria. Food poisoning bacteria are also carried by humans:
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� Escheriscia coli is found in faeces but is harmless until it is
‘activated’ by contact with food � Salmonella is found in raw meat, poultry, eggs, shellfish and
faeces
� Staphylococcus aureus is found on our skin, in our nose,
throat, mouth, ears, hair, nails, and in
cuts and boils.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and
Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
1995 require that your employer reports any
cases of food poisoning to the local
environmental health officer. Workplace procedures for safe food
handling are governed by the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food
Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995.
Good personal hygiene is particularly important for preventing the
spread of food poisoning bacteria. If you are involved in handling
food you should wash your hands with soap and hot running water
before you handle food. You should also wash your hands after:
� Handling any uncooked or waste food
� Using the lavatory
� Assisting service users to use the lavatory
� Handling rubbish � Using or handling handkerchiefs or tissues
� Coughing or sneezing
� Touching your hair or face, or the hair and face of a service user.
If handling food, you should also:
� Wear protective clothing
� Keep your nails clean and short
� Keep your hair tied back or covered
� Cover any minor wounds with a coloured
waterproof dressing
� Do not smoke in any area where food is being stored, prepared or served
The spread of food poisoning bacteria can also be controlled by
cleaning and storing kitchen equipment correctly:
� There should be a separate fridge for cooked and raw food.
� Different surfaces should be used for preparing cooked and raw foods
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� Different equipment e.g. knives, chopping boards etc should
be used for raw and cooked foods, and kept separately � Work surfaces should be scrupulously cleaned after use for
raw meat or poultry
� All food should be kept covered
� No food should be kept past its ‘use by’ date
The spread of food poisoning bacteria can also be controlled by
cooking and storing food at the correct temperatures. Most bacteria
are killed by heat at 70 degrees centigrade or above. Fridges and
freezers should be set between -22 and five degrees centigrade, as
most bacteria cannot live at these temperatures.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes when
you pulled on the ropes the mattress
tightened making the bed firmer to sleep
on. That’s where the phrase, “goodnight,
sleep tight” came from.
ACTIVITY FOUR
Circle the words or phrases you would associate with food
handling
Work surfaces Golf Bacteria
Tennis Chopping boards Fridge
Knives Cooked food Rugby
Dealing with hazardous waste
Part of your responsibility as a care worker is to
ensure the safety of the working environment, this
includes the safe disposal of clinical and bodily
waste, as follows:
� Soiled linen – red linen bags taken direct to laundry. If soiled
linen is handled, gloves must be worn
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� Body fluids and waste – collected in urinal or bedpan. Gloves
to be worn and waste disposed of into sluice. Contaminated equipment must be cleaned and disinfected e.g. bedpan to be
cleaned and disinfected in bedpan washer.
� Clinical Waste e.g. soiled dressings – yellow bags labelled with
contents and source. This is usually collected by the local
authority for incineration.
� Sharps e.g. needles and syringes – placed in hard plastic
yellow sharps box. When full, this is sealed and then collected
by the local authority for incineration.
Working with hazardous materials : medicines
According to the National Minimum Standards for
Care Homes for Older People the Registered
Manager of the care home must ensure that there is a policy on the administration of medicines and
care staff must adhere to procedures, for the
receipt, recording, storage, handling,
administration and disposal of medicines. The care home’s policy
should include advice on:
Self-Medication. Service users, where appropriate, should be
responsible for their own medication. These individuals must have a
lockable space in which to store their medicines, to which suitably
trained, designated care staff may have access with the service user’s permission. The service user should be assessed by an
appropriately trained member of staff in order to establish his or her
suitability to self-medicate.
The Recording of Medicines. Records are kept of all medicines
received, administered and leaving the care home or disposed of to
ensure that there is no mishandling. A record is maintained of the medicines each service user takes, including those who are self-
medicating.
Handling and Storage of Medicines. Medicines
in the custody of the home are handled according
to the requirements of the Medicines Act 1968, guidelines from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society,
the requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
and nursing staff must meet the standards laid down by the
Nursing and Midwifery Council for the administration of medicines.
Controlled Drugs are stored in a metal cupboard, which complies
with the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973.
Medicines, including Controlled Drugs, for service users receiving nursing care, are administered by a medical practitioner or
registered nurse.
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In residential care homes, all medicines, including Controlled Drugs,
(except those for self-administration) are administered by designated and appropriately trained staff. The administration of
Controlled Drugs is witnessed by another designated, appropriately
trained member of staff. Receipt, administration and disposal of
Controlled Drugs are recorded in a Controlled Drugs register.
Staff Training. The training for care staff must be
accredited and must include basic knowledge of how
medicines are used and how to recognise and deal
with problems in use; and the principles behind all
aspects of the home’s policy on medicines handling
and records.
Caring for those Receiving Medication. Care staff should monitor the condition of the service user on medication and call in
the GP if they are concerned about any change in condition that
may be a result of medication. When a service user dies, medicines
should be retained for a period of seven days in case there is a
coroner’s inquest.
The role of the care worker in the administration of
medicines
Many of your service users will be taking medication prescribed by
their family doctor. Unless you have been trained in the administration of medicines and you are a designated person, you
will not be allowed to administer medicines to service users. Your
responsibility is to support and encourage the older person to take his or her medication by:
� Providing information about the medication that is to be taken
� Ensuring that the medication can be swallowed in an appropriate form (some tablets or capsules should not be
crushed, for example)
� Assisting the individual to take their medication e.g. By
adjusting their position so they can swallow more easily, or
providing a drink
� Making sure that the medication has been taken
� Reporting to your supervisor any problems
associated with taking the medicine.
Risks from utilities such as gas and electricity
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 apply to all gas appliances in your setting. All appliances, flues and pipe work
should be checked once a year by a registered CORGI engineer.
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Gas is flammable. It can cause explosions or fire. It can
also cause asphyxiation. Your workplace will have a procedure for dealing with gas leaks, but as a rule, if there
is a gas leak, you should:
� Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors to
let the gas escape
� Not light matches or cigarette lighters
� Not touch any electrical switches
� Turn off the gas mains
� Use an external phone to call the gas emergency services,
and
� Give first aid if necessary, and dial 999 if an ambulance is
needed e.g. for asphyxiation
Electricity can also kill. It causes shock and burns and can also start
fires. The use of electricity is covered by the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989, which require employers to maintain any
electrical systems and electrical equipment within their control. This
includes lighting and power circuits, electrical equipment and
appliances such as washing machines, irons, vacuum cleaners etc.
Work on electrical appliances must only be carried out by a trained
electrical engineer. The main risk to people is contact with live parts
causing shock and burns e.g. through frayed or exposed wiring.
Your workplace will have a procedure for dealing with electrical emergencies, but as a rule, if one
occurs, you should:
� Turn off the power supply at the mains
� Never touch a person or an object that is
connected to the power supply, and
� Give first aid if necessary, and dial 999 for an ambulance if needed e.g. for asphyxiation.
Fire Awareness
You will receive training from a specialist trainer in fire awareness.
Fire is a serious danger in care homes and is responsible for many
deaths. It can be prevented by:
� The use of smoke alarms
� Ensuring all cigarettes have been properly extinguished � Unplugging unused electrical equipment at night e.g.
televisions
� Keeping fire doors closed to prevent the spread of fire
� Ensuring electrical and gas appliances have been properly checked for safety
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Your workplace arrangements for fire safety should comply with the
Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations of 1997. It is very important that you get to know your care home’s procedures for fire
safety and that you attend fire training at least once a year.
If you discover a fire you should:
� Raise the alarm e.g. Use the fire alarm or dial
999 for the fire brigade
� Close windows and doors to prevent fire from
spreading
� If service users can move, escort them to the assembly point
or a place of safety
� Use designated fire exits and escape routes, close doors
behind you as you go � Do not use any lifts, unless directed to do so by the fire
brigade
� Check that everyone is accounted for and report this to the
fire brigade
� Do not return to the building unless the fire brigade says it is
safe to do so.
You might be able to put out a small fire by yourself, if it is safe to
do so: e.g. you could use a water-based fire extinguisher to put out
a fire in an office waste paper bin, or you might use a powder fire extinguisher to put out a small electrical fire in an office. You should
not do this unless you are familiar with the various types of fire
appliances. If used incorrectly, a fire appliance may cause serious injury or make the fire worse e.g. using a water based
extinguisher on a chip pan fire is dangerous as it will
cause the fire to ‘flare up’ and spread rapidly, and may
cause severe burns to the person operating the extinguisher.
It is your responsibility to familiarise service users with
your care home’s fire procedure. It is important that
service users can identify a fire alarm, and use an escape route by
following the fire exit signs. For those with a visual impairment, the fire exit signs might be in Braille. For those with a hearing
impairment the fire alarm might be a flashing light. It is important
that you inform staff and service users of these adaptations. Your
employer should regularly involve service users in a fire drill.
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DID YOU KNOW?
In Scotland, Irn-Bru is a soft drink that is more popular than Coca-Cola. When
McDonalds opened in Glasgow and did not
sell Irn-Bru, it was considered an insult,
and the restaurant was subsequently
boycotted.
ACTIVITY FIVE
Circle the words or phrases you would associate with a fire
Bacon Fire drill Signs
Alarm Sausage Fire Brigade
Procedure Tomato Exits
Emergency first aid
Your role in giving emergency first aid is to:
� Preserve a casualty’s life � Prevent further harm � Promote or help their recovery.
You should only attempt to do this if you have
undertaken a recognised emergency first aid course. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 requires
that any accident or injury that occurs at work, and
the treatment given, must be recorded in your care home’s accident
book.
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You may receive training from a specialist trainer in emergency first
aid. During this training you will learn about the priorities in giving emergency first aid i.e. D R A B C
Danger – Before you attempt any first aid be sure that you are safe.
Response – Is the casualty responding? Talk to
them and shake their shoulders. If they respond,
reassure them, and move them to a safer area if in
danger.
Airway – If the casualty is unresponsive or
unconscious, check that their mouth or airway is not
obstructed. If you can, remove the cause of any blockage. Open the
airway by gently tilting the casualty’s head backwards and lifting their chin. Check that help is coming.
Breathing – Check the casualty is breathing. Put your cheek close to
their mouth and look at their chest, place your hand on their chest,
watch for breathing movements. If they are breathing but
unresponsive, put them in the recovery position (you will learn to
do this on your first aid course). If they are not breathing, check
that help is coming and then start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
(you will learn to do this on your first aid course).
Circulation – Check whether the casualty’s heart is beating. Feel for
their pulse. If the casualty does not have a pulse, check that help is
coming and commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Using primary health care services
Primary Health care services are provided by the ambulance
service, dentists, NHS Direct, general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists. These are the professionals we
first go to when we need advice if someone experiences an accident
or ill health.
The ambulance service is an emergency medical
service, staffed by trained paramedics. If a service user has an accident or a sudden life
threatening illness e.g. a heart attack, you
should telephone 999. You should clearly state the:
� Casualty’s name and age
� Location of the incident, address and telephone number
� First aid already given. � The emergency operator will stay on the line and give you
advice until the paramedic arrives.
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NHS Direct is a national telephone advice line staffed by specially
trained registered nurses. If a service user has a minor acute illness e.g. influenza, you can telephone NHS Direct
for advice. General practitioners (GPs) are
medical specialists in diagnosis, treatment and
referral of acute and chronic illnesses. If a
service user becomes ill, you can contact the
local GP, or the deputising service, and
request a visit. Many health authorities now provide NHS drop-in
centres where you can take a casualty for advice or treatment of
minor injuries or illnesses. These are usually staffed by emergency
nurse practitioners. Pharmacists can also provide over-the-counter
advice for people with minor illnesses e.g. ear or eye infections.
Many physiotherapists will also provide emergency treatment for
minor sports injuries or accidents at work such as sprains or strains. It is important that the service user maintains his or her registration
with an NHS dentist, particularly if emergency treatment is
required, as few health authorities now provide an out of hours
dental service.
UNIT HSC027: SIGN-OFF
Assessor’s Name: _________________________________
Assessor’s Signature:_________________________Date:___________
Learner’s Name: __________________________________
Learner’s Signature:_________________Date:___________
Mentor’s Name: ________________________________
Mentor’s Signature: _________________Date:___________
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UNIT HSC027 ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT ONE
Identify legislation relating to general health and safety in
your health or social care work setting
ASSESSMENT TWO
Describe the main points of the health and safety policies and procedures agreed with your employer
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ASSESSMENT THREE
Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of:
• yourself
• your employer or manager
• others in your work setting
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ASSESSMENT FOUR
Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should not
be carried out without special training
ASSESSMENT FIVE
Explain how to access additional support and information
relating to health and safety
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ASSESSMENT SIX
Explain why it is important to assess health and safety
hazards posed by the work setting or by particular activities
ASSESSMENT SEVEN
Explain how and when to report potential health and safety
risks that have been identified
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ASSESSMENT EIGHT
Explain how risk assessment can help address dilemmas
between rights and health and safety concerns
ASSESSMENT NINE
Describe different types of accidents and sudden illness that
may occur in own work setting
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ASSESSMENT TEN
Outline the procedures to be followed if an accident or
sudden illness should occur
ASSESSMENT ELEVEN
Explain the recommended method for hand washing
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ASSESSMENT TWELVE
Explain ways of ensuring that your own health and hygiene
do not pose a risk to others at work
ASSESSMENT THIRTEEN
Identify legislation that relates to moving and handling
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ASSESSMENT FOURTEEN
Explain principles for moving and handling equipment and
other objects safely
ASSESSMENT FIFTEEN
Explain how to move and handle equipment or other objects
safely
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ASSESSMENT SIXTEEN
Identify hazardous substances and materials that may be
found in your work setting
ASSESSMENT SEVENTEEN
Describe safe practices for:
• storing hazardous substances
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• using hazardous substances
• disposing of hazardous substances and materials
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ASSESSMENT EIGHTEEN
Describe practices that prevent fires from:
• starting
• spreading
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ASSESSMENT NINETEEN
Outline emergency procedures to be followed in the event of
a fire in your work setting
ASSESSMENT TWENTY
Explain the importance of maintaining clear evacuation
routes at all times
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ASSESSMENT TWENTY ONE
Explain how to use agreed ways of working for checking the
identity of anyone requesting access to:
• premises
• information
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ASSESSMENT TWENTY TWO
Explain how to implement measures to protect your own
security and the security of others in your work setting
ASSESSMENT TWENTY THREE
Explain the importance of ensuring that others are aware of
your own whereabouts
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ASSESSMENT TWENTY FOUR
Identify common signs and indicators of stress
ASSESSMENT TWENTY FIVE
Identify circumstances that tend to trigger your own stress
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ASSESSMENT TWENTY SIX
Describe ways to manage your own stress
UNIT HSC027 : ASSESSMENT SIGN-OFF
Assessor’s Name: _________________________________
Assessor’s Signature:________________Date:___________
Learner’s Name: __________________________________
Learner’s
Signature:_________________________Date:___________
Mentor’s Name: ___________________________________
Mentor’s Signature:_________________Date:___________
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