HSC 027 Contribute to health and safety in health and care

1.1 Identify legislation relating to general health and social care in a health or social care
setting

 Manual handling regulations

 Control of substances hazardous to health regulations

 Health and safety first air regulations

 Management of health and safety at work regulation

 Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations.

1.1 Describe the main points of the health and safety policies and procedures agreed with
the main employer.

 Never lift: both the service user and heavy objects should never be lifted as this will harm
my spine.

 Always wear protective clothing, shoes, gloves, goggles etc.

 Never smoke in the service user’s house or allow naked flame around flammable object,
liquids or gases.

 Don’t work if sick and inform the employer.

 Record and report any faulty equipment to minimise risks.

 Call for help in emergencies e.g. fire outbreaks, fall of service user and help lines were
given.

1.1 Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of: self, the employer or manager
and others in the work setting.

Self: As an employee it is my duty to attend the health and safety training provided by my employer.

 I should carry out the basic instructions of health and safety at my work place.

 As an employee, I should report any fault or breakdown of working equipment e.g. hoist
or fire extinguishers for immediate repair or replacement.

 Any faulty equipment should not be used until repaired

 I should report to my manager if I am sick for treatment and to get someone else to cover
my shift.

 I should record and report any problem at my place of work.

 Under no circumstance should I carry out procedure without basic knowledge e.g. of first
aid or use of fire extinguisher.
  I should carry out some actions during emergency e.g. calling 999 or fire squad if there is
fire outbreak.

Employer or manager: It their duty to provide health and safety training for me.

 He should carry out routine examination and assessment at my place of work to ensure it
is always safe for work.

 He should endeavour to repair or replace any faulty working equipment.

 He should also do assessment on his employee health wise before employment and while
employed to ensure they are capable of doing whatever wok they are doing.

Others: Team member and colleagues should also have necessary training on health and safety so
should attend one.

 Ensure there is proper transfer of information within the team e.g. circulating information
about any faulty equipment, change of medication or diet.

 Under no circumstance should carers carry out procedure without basic knowledge e.g. of
first aid or use of fire extinguisher.

 Family members, carers and advocates of the service user should the routine assessment
of the facilities being used for the service users is done.

 They should ensure that the proper equipment is provided for their relative.

1.1 Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should not be carried out without
special training.

 Moving and handling: carers should not use hoist or move service users without proper
training.

 Wheel chairs: both automatic and manual wheel chairs should not be used without
training same thing is applicable for sliding sheet to avoid hurting the service user.

 Medication: this should never be given with necessary knowledge.

 Fire extinguishers need trained personnel to operate them.

 Dieting/ food handling/preparation should only be done by people with the required
knowledge to avoid food poisoning.

 First aid training is needed before it is carried out.

1.1 Explain how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety.

 Information could be accessed through the manager by attending training on health and
safety organised by him.

 By reading manufacturer’s instructions on the booklet or being trained by someone from

the company.
  From colleagues during handover and reading reports and records.

 From service-user; some of them can tell about changes on their treatment.

2.1 Explain why it is important to assess health and safety hazards posed by the work setting or by
particular activities.

This is important because it helps to:

 Identify hazards; it is easy to overlook some hazards in the work place. Employer should
ask carers if they have noticed anything wrong and to report any risk or hazards. It also
help to identify long term hazards to health (e.g. high levels of noise or exposure to
harmful substance) as well as safety hazards.

 Identify all affected by the hazard and how; some have particular requirements e.g. new
and young workers, expectant mothers, disabled people etc. And may need particular risk.
People that are not always at the workplace e.g. members of the public, cleaners,
maintenance workers etc.

 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions; having spotted the hazards, it helps to
decide what to do decide what to do about them. The law required you to do everything
reasonably possible to protected people from harm. The risk will be gotten rid of or
controlled so that harm is unlikely to happen.

 Prioritize appropriate control measures; it helps you to prioritise appropriate control

measure putting the most hazards out first and acting as soon as possible e.g. eliminating
hazards e.g. chemical or faulty equipment etc. trying a less risky option (switching to
using less hazards chemical). Prevent access to the hazard. Issue personal protective
equipment; goggles, gloves etc. provide welfare facilities e.g. first aid. Organise work to
reduce exposure to hazard.

 Record findings; it helps to keep record of hazards that reoccurs so that a better measure
will be taken. Also to remind us when the last assessment was done and when the next
one will be due.

2.2 Explain how and when to report potential health and safety risk that have been identified.

This can be done by doing any of the following;

Telephoning your manager

Writing on paper, through internet

Faxing

On certain emergencies, inform the manager as well as telephoning the ambulance or fire squad etc.

Reports can be made as soon as a risk is identified, it should be recorded and communicated to others
(manager, team members, service user and her family members).
2.3 Explain how risk assessment can help address dilemmas between right and health and safety
concerns.

It addresses dilemmas between right and health and safety concerns because the risk and hazards has
been identified as well as people it will affect so care will be taken to prevent it from harming both the
workers and service users.

3.1 Describe different types of accident and hazards that may occur in own work setting.

 Chemical injury or accident; from hazardous substances e.g. acids, bleach. If drunk or
splashes into the eyes or on skin.

 Electrical, injury or accident; occurs when a naked wire and causes electric shock or
electrocution.

 This occurs from fall from water on the flour. Ulcers and bruises from inappropriate
pulling of the sling.

 Physical injury; waist pain, fracture from lifting heavy loads etc. dislocation, damage to
tendons etc.

3.2 Outline the procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur.

Firstly notify the manager on phone them put it in down in writing and send it to him. Visit the doctor or
call for medical help depending on the severity of the illness or accident. Record everything that
happened.

5.1 identify legislation that relates to moving and handling.

 Moving and handling regulations 1992 as amended 2002

 Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulation 1998

 Health and safety at work etc. act 1974

 Provision of use and work equipment regulation 1992 as amended 1998

 The management of health and safety at work regulation 1999

5.2 Explain the principles of moving and handling equipment and other objects safely.

 ensure that the object is light enough to lift, is stable and unlikely to shift or move to prevent
waist pain and injury
 heavy or awkward loads should be moved using a handling aid; human body is not meant to lift
heavy objects so equipment should be used
  make sure the route is clear of obstructions to avoid delay during transfer
 make sure there is somewhere to put the load down wherever it is to be moved to so as to avoid
carrying it for a long time
 stand as close to the load as possible, and spread your feet to shoulder width this is to maintain
balance
 bend your knees and try and keep the back's natural, upright posture
 grasp the load firmly as close to the body as you can
 use the legs to lift the load in a smooth motion as this offers more leverage reducing the strain on
your back
 carry the load close to the body with the elbows tucked into the body
 avoid twisting the body as much as possible by turning your feet to position yourself with the
load

6.1 Identify hazardous substances and materials that may be found in the work setting.

Chemicals e.g. bleach crude oil, water, hot cooking oil, gas etc.
Substances and material; dust when inhaled is dangerous, metals and sharp objects like knife, flowers,
bulbs, expired medications, etc.
Electrics and wires; electrical appliances e.g. iron, grilling machine, electric cooker and kettle etc.
Mechanical example; chipped flour can wound the toes and can cause accident, faulty hoist, sling even
wheel chair.

6.2 describe safe practices for

 Storing hazardous substances.
Under the control of hazardous to health regulation 2002, you must ensure chemicals and dangerous
substances are stored and handled in a way that minimize the risks posed by those substances and which
limits people’s exposure to them.
Store chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the safety data sheet.
Keep the minimum quantity of hazardous substance necessary.
Store compactible substances separately
Take steps to prevent release or leakage of dangerous substances
Keep a spill kit near storage areas and ensure staffs were trained in what to do in the event of spill.
Clean up any leaks or spills that occur
Use appropriate precautions when handling substances e.g. wearing protective clothing
Ensure employees who store and handle substances that are dangerous are properly trained
Checking containers used for short-term storage are properly labeled.
All hazardous substances must be stored in a cupboard well labeled in red.
 Using hazardous substances
Before using hazardous substances; ensure that you read the instructions carefully
Follow the procedure as written
Make sure that you take precautions detailed in the COSHH files e.g. wear gloves when handling
hazardous substances.
Never use any substance whose label is off.
 Dealing with the hazard
Hazardous wastes are disposed of in different ways
Chemical waste which can be infectious are put in yellow bags and clearly labeled. This is incinerated.
Needles, syringes, cannulas (sharps) are disposed into a yellow box nothing except sharp. This is sealed
and incinerated.
Body fluids and waste; urine, vomit, blood, sputum, feces etc. these are cleared and flushed down sluice
drain. Area is cleaned and disinfected.
Soiled linens are placed in red bags and direct into laundry; bags disintegrate in wash. Gloves must be
worn.
Recyclable instruments and equipment are placed in blue bags to be returned to central sterilization
service department (CSSD) for recycling and sterilizing.
Chemical; are disposed by using saw dust to absorb the fluid/ chemicals wearing gloves and put in the
appropriate bin.
7.1 Describe practices that prevent fire from starting.
Smoking is one of the most common causes of fire outbreaks in homes, offices and even in public areas.
Discarded cigarettes that are not properly extinguished can easily re-ignite and result in a disastrous fire
accident.
The kitchen is one of the parts of the house where a fire usually starts. This is because cooking involves
the use of flames and flammable materials such as oil and gas. Because of this, it is necessary to always
practice caution whenever you are inside the kitchen. For one, you should avoid wearing loose-fitting
clothing as this can easily catch fire. Aside from that, never leave cooking pots and pans unattended even
for a short while. If you need to leave the room to answer the phone or get the door, turn off the stove
first.

Materials that can be considered as fire hazards include flammable liquids and gases, paints, adhesives
and most types of chemicals. Because of this, it is necessary that you store these materials in safe places.
Candles especially scented ones are usually used around the house as decorative elements. However,
they can also be a cause of fire accidents. This is why, it is imperative to be careful when lighting up
candles. Never leave burning candles unattended. Avoid placing them near air vents, windows or drafts.

Unsafe electrical conditions that can be fire hazards include damaged electrical conductors, overloaded
sockets and extension cords, faulty wirings, blown fuses, low quality electrical equipment, malfunction
of electrical devices, loose electrical connections, and lack of clearance between electrical heating
devices and combustible materials.

To avoid electrical fires, use only high quality electrical equipment. Check appliances regularly to see if
there are any damaged parts or cords. Never overload electrical sockets or extension cords. Use electrical
heating equipment a good distance away from combustibles. It is also necessary to note that electrical
fires can only be extinguished by a CO2 fire extinguisher. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can
result in disastrous consequences. For instance, using a water fire extinguisher can cause electrocution.

Heating device

Careless use of heating devices such as clothes iron, space heater, water heater, hair iron and others can
result in a fire outbreak. When using any appliance that has a heating element it is essential that you
never leave it unattended

Preventing fire from spreading;

Follow the fire safety procedure.

Raise alarm

Inform the telephonist or dial 999

Try to attack the fire with the correct extinguisher

Always keep the fire doors locked

7.2 Outline emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a fire in the work setting.

Raise alarm

Inform the telephonist or dial 999

Ensure that everyone is safe and out of the danger areas

Try to attack the fire with the correct extinguisher if it is safe to do.

Go to the fire assembly point

Do not return to the building.

7.3 The importance of maintaining clear evacuation routes at all times

This is because no one knows when there will be a fire out break
If blocked can cause more harm and injuries because there will be delay in the time for running away
from the house / building where the fire is burning.

To avoid more burn injuries.

8.3Explain why it is important to ensure that others know your where about

This is to call you whenever you are needed.