Health and Safety in Adult Social Care.

In 2010……..

28.5 million working days (equivalent to 1.2 days per worker) were lost to injury and ill health last year

5.1 million days due to injury 23.4 million days due to ill-health 233,000 People reported being injured at

work

What could happen:

Near-miss Minor injury

Major injury Death

Legal duties

COMMON LAW duty of one individual to another - “Duty

of Care”

STATUTE LAW Criminal Law duty between individual and the state

The costs of failure

Health and safety law is Criminal Law

Failure to manage health and safety can result in:• prosecution,

fines and imprisonment• compensation claims • loss of output or service• replacement costs• loss of reputation• Death, injury,

Health and SafetyHealth and Safety

Measures which are necessary to

control and reduce the risks to

the health and safety of anyone

who might be affected by the

activities of people at work.

Why we needs good health and safety standards?

Why we need good healthWhy we need good health & safety standards & safety standards

• Reduction in accidents and injuries.

• Happy healthy motivated workforce.

• Reduction in sick leave, good reputation.

• Increased performance and profit.

• Good relationships with enforcement agencies.

• Increased job security.

If I ignore health and safety what If I ignore health and safety what could happen to me personally ?could happen to me personally ?

Injury to yourself and or others, Disciplinary action. Prosecution - especially if an accident

has occurred by you ignoring safety instructions and

A possible fine.

Reporting of Injuries ,Diseases Reporting of Injuries ,Diseases and and

Dangerous Occurrences (1995) Dangerous Occurrences (1995)

Places a legal duty on employers and self-employedpeople to report the following to the Health and

SafetyExecutive:

• work-related deaths• major injuries• over three-day injuries• work-related diseases• dangerous occurrences (near miss accidents).

COSHH (2002)

COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances by:

finding out what the health hazards are; deciding how to prevent harm to health providing control measures to reduce harm to health; making sure they are used ;

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992): Employer responsibilities

 The Regulations require the employer to:

Eliminate or reduce the risk to employees Reduce the risk to the lowest possible level

by ‘reasonably practicable' means.

Continued; Employer's Responsibilities

  To avoid manual handling practices

wherever reasonably practicable

To carry out, and update risk assessments of any remaining manual handling risks where they cannot be eliminated

Reduce manual handling risks, introduce measures to reduce the risk

Provide information, supervision and training to employees

MHOR: 1992; Employee's Responsibilities

  Ensure own safety, take care of themselves

and others

Follow instructions, training and supervision provided by the employer.

Make proper use of equipment and follow safe working systems;

Co-operate with their employer;

Ensure others are not put at risk.

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998

 Generally, the Regulations require that lifting equipment is:

Strong and stable enough for the particular use Positioned and installed to minimise any risks Used safely, the work is planned, organised

and performed by competent people Thorough examination and inspection by

competent people

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)

Places the onus on individuals within an organisation to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire.

The responsible person must provide;

Means of escape Signs and notices Emergency lighting Fire alarm

Fire extinguishers

Fire doors

Training

Risk assessments

Fire Safety

Regular fire drills will ensure that:Regular fire drills will ensure that:

People in danger act in a calm and rational manner when faced with an emergency evacuation

Those workers who have ‘designated responsibility’ carry out their duties ensuring everyone’s safety

Escape routes are used in accordance with a predetermined and practised plan

Evacuation is achieved quickly and in an orderly manner.

General emergency proceduresGeneral emergency procedures

• Raise the alarm.• Get yourself and others out of danger, following

the procedures in the building.• If it is safe to do so, close doors and windows as

you leave.• Only tackle the fire if it is safe to do so.• Go to the fire assembly point.• Do not go back into the building until you are

told that it is safe to do so.

Identify hazards and risks;Identify hazards and risks;

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

What is a Hazard?What is a Hazard?

A Hazard is something with the potential to cause harm

Examples?

• Kettle of boiling water

• Fire

• Electricity

• Noise

• Uneven floor

• Sharp tools

What is risk?What is risk?

Risk is the probability that a hazard will turn into a disaster.

Risk AssessmentsRisk Assessments

Purpose of carrying out risk assessments is to:

• Identify & reduce dangers in the workplace.

• Comply with legislation.

• Supply the employee with information on hazards/risks in the workplace.

• Specialized assessments are sometimes required.

Risk Assessments 5 steps;Risk Assessments 5 steps;

Identify the hazards Decide who might be harmed and how Evaluate the risks and decide on

precautions Record your findings and implement

them Review your assessment and update if

necessary

Risk Assessment Forms

LIKELIHOOD

Level Descriptor Description

5 Almost Certain

Likely to occur on many occasions, a persistent issue

4 Likely Will probably occur but it is not a persistent issue

3 Possible May occur occasionally

2 Unlikely Do not expect it to happen but it is possible

1 Rare Can’t believe that this will ever happen

Security

Security

• Following policies and procedures i.e. Lone worker policy

• Carrying mobile phones at all times

• Adhering to risk assessments

• Have regular supervision sessions

• Ensure you reporting any concerns