Unit 124 – Introductory Awareness of Health and Safety in Health, Social Care and Children’s Settings

Learning Objectives

By the end of the end of the session you will:

1. Outline key areas of health and safety at work

2. Outline employers’ and workers’ responsibilities for health and safety

3. Outline what is meant by risk

4. Give examples of hazards and their associated risks

5. State the purpose of a risk assessment and the occasions when one is necessary

6. Outline the importance of security and of safe moving and handling principles

Learning Objectives

By the end of the end of the session you will:

7. Identify accidents and sudden illnesses that may occur in a health and social care setting and who might deal with them

8. Describe how infection is spread

9. Identify methods that reduce the spread of infection

10.Describe the standard method of washing hands

11. Identify when personal protective equipment should be used

Health and Safety Legislation

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main law.

It lists the responsibilities of employers and employees for health and safety in the workplace.

Health and Safety Legislation

There are other laws that support health and safety.

Some examples are:

• Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981• RIDDOR (Reporting of

injuries, diseases and

dangerous occurrences

regulations 1995)• COSHH (Control of

substances hazardous

to health regulations 2002).

What is a Hazard?

Something that has the potential to cause harm.

What is a Risk?

A possibility of something or someone causing injury or harm.

What is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is where you think about what might cause harm to people and decide whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that harm.

It is something you are required by law to carry out.

When is a Risk Assessment Necessary?

You should carry out an assessment before you do any work which presents a risk of injury or ill health.

Dealing with Incidents/Emergencies

• Support the trained First Aider

• Raise the alarm/call emergency services

• Evacuate the building

• Assemble at a designated point

• Press call button/call for help

• Check the area is safe

• Don’t stop to get personal belongings

• Talk to injured person, try to find out what happened

Types of Fire

Class A:  Solids such as paper, wood, plastic etc.

Class B:  Flammable Liquids such as paraffin, petrol, oil etc.

Class C:   Flammable Gases such as propane, butane, methane etc.

Class D: Metals such as aluminium, magnesium, titanium etc.

Class E: Fires involving Electrical Apparatus

Class F: Cooking Oil and Fat etc.

Dealing with Care Incidents

• Initially care worker, who summons help• First Aider• Nurse on duty• First Response Paramedic• Ambulance personnel• G.P.

Manual Handling

Safe moving and handling principles are to prevent injury to yourself, the individual being moved and any other people in the immediate area.

Infections

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Viruses

• Protozoa

• Parasites

Reservoir

Portal of exit

Transmission

Portal of entry

Susceptible host

Infectious agent

Cycle of Infection

Preventing Infection in Care

• Hand hygiene• Personal protective equipment• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette• Management of blood and bodily fluids• Control of the environment• Management of care equipment• Providing care in the most appropriate place• Management of linen• Safe management of waste

Hand Washing

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Management of Blood and Bodily Fluid Spillages

Spills may be classified as high or low risk.

A low risk spillage may be:• A urine spill as a result of a toddler ‘having an accident’.• An area that has been observed as being accidentally

coughed or sneezed upon.

A high risk spillage may be:• Blood - should be considered potentially hazardous.• Vomit – could contain an infection such as norovirus.

Unit 124 – Introductory Awareness of Health and Safety in Health, Social Care and Children’s Settings