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