Fact or fiction?Introduction

You will need to decide whether the following statements are:

• FACT?• FICTION?

Decide your answer to each statement or image before moving on to the next slide.

Fact or fiction?Statement 1

Children do not have to be aware of health and safety in a nursery because the early years team will always watch out for them.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 1

FICTION

Everyone is responsible for their own health and safety, including children. Children can be encouraged to manage risks for themselves and to take some responsibility for safety decisions from an early age.

Fact or fiction?Statement 2

This sign represents an area of the workplace where smoking is permitted.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 2

FICTION

This is an example of a prohibition sign, which means smoking is not allowed.

Fact or fiction?Statement 3

Every school must have a health and safety policy.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 3

FACT

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and other relevant legislation, requires all workplaces with more than five employees to have a health and safety policy.

Fact or fiction?Statement 4

This appliance is used to extinguish electrical fires in a kitchen.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 4

FICTION

It would be dangerous to use a water extinguisher on an electrical fire. Carbon dioxide or powder extinguishers are safer for use in the kitchen.

Fact or fiction?Statement 5

The CE mark is a legal requirement for all toys sold in the European Union.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 5

FACT

The CE mark means that the manufacturer claims the product meets the European Union regulation standards. However, it does not mean it has been tested or inspected and, therefore, early years practitioners must always carry out their own toy safety checks.

Fact or fiction?Statement 6

When taking children to visit a farm to see and touch the animals, handwashing before the children eat will stop the risk of them catching E-coli infection.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 6

FICTION

Handwashing immediately after touching the animals will help reduce and control the risk of E-coli infection.

Fact or fiction?Statement 7

The UK Health and Safety Commission stated in August 2006 that: ‘Sensible risk management is about enabling innovation and learning, not stifling them.’

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 7

FACT

This was stated by Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission, when introducing a new set of key principles for the management of health and safety.

Fact or fiction?Statement 8

A child attending an early years setting has a small cut on her finger. The first aider must not apply a plaster to the wound.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 8

FICTION

Hypo-allergenic plasters can legally be applied, but local policies may vary and early years practitioners must always check with their own setting’s procedures.

Fact or fiction?Statement 9

Children are not allowed to throw snowballs.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 9

FICTION

There is no legal guidance from the Heath and Safety Executive stating that snowballs must not be thrown.

Fact or fiction?Statement 10

The National Day Care Standards require children in vehicles to be supervised at all times and to wear a seatbelt.

FACT or FICTION?

Fact or fiction?Answer to Statement 10

FACT

Now check the National Day Care Standards for other facts about children and young people’s safety.

Remember not to confuse myths with truth when talking about health and safety.