Unit 4222-306 Promote and implement health and safety in health

and social care

1. Understand own responsibilities, and the responsibilities of others, relating to health

and safety
1.1 Identify legislation relating to health and safety in a health or social care work setting
General health and safety:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the most important piece of legislation covering
health and safety for certain jobs. Under this Act, the employer, the workers and the service
users have responsibilities to ensure safety is well kept in the premises.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 – More detailed view of what
employers are obliged to achieve and provide under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulation 1981 include amendment on 2009
- The Electricity at Work regulations 1989
- Working Time Regulations 1998
- Care Standard Act 2000
- Control of exposure to Hazardous to Health 1999
- Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Moving and handling:
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 – Sets out requirements for manual
handling and moving and handling of people.
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995- sets out
what, when and who needs to report/be reported.
1.2 Explain the main points of health and safety policies and procedures agreed with the
employer
The local and organizational procedures for health and safety include:
- Moving and handling techniques (whether it is about animated or unanimated loads)
- Food hygiene (storing, handling and disposing of food correctly)
- Infection control (that applies to all aspects of working in a social care setting and should
be followed by all people involved in the process)
- Fire control training (including Marshall training)
- All parts’ rights and responsibilities (employer, employees, service users)
- Risk assessments for all possible harms
- Recording and reporting procedures
- Safeguarding adults at risk policy
1.3 Analyse the main health and safety responsibilities of:
• self
- Take care of my own health and safety
- Have an appropriate appearance (uniforms/dress code, not to wear jewellery e.g.
bracelets, rings or long nails, long hair tied up, comfortable and protective shoes)
- Use personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons) and respect hand washing technique
- Attend the trainings provided by the employer, be aware of and respect the policies and
procedures
- Report any damages, injuries, harms, illnesses or health changes to the
supervisor/manager
- Not put other people at risk (colleagues, residents)
• the employer or manager
- Have policies and procedures according to the pieces of legislation related to health and
safety
- Provide training for staff members in order to achieve it
- Carry out risk assessments for any possible harm in the workplace
- Consult employees in any health and safety issues, directly or not
- Protect health, safety and welfare of employees and service users
- Make clear the rights and responsibilities for employees and service users
• others in the work setting
- Respect the house rules by behaving appropriately (e.g. not using alcohol or drugs)
- Treat staff members nicely, with courtesy, communicating permanently so that they know
the changes in their routine, health estate, wellness etc.
- If possible help staff members do their work more effectively by cooperating and
maintaining a safe work environment (e.g. smoking in the designed area only)
- Be responsible and aware of consequences for the decisions they make.
By working together and comply with these regulations , everyone becomes aware of
responsibility we all have for health and safety in a social care setting.
1.4 Identify specific tasks in the work setting that should not be carried out without special
training.
One of the most important activities that requires special training is moving and handling
individuals because there are pieces of equipment to be used, such as walking frames,
wheelchairs, stand-aids, hoists, transfer belts, sliding sheets etc. All of these have their own
technique and they must be learned and put in practice correctly.
Other important activity that needs training is handling medication, because there are
different pills, tablets, controlled drugs and additional equipment (plasters, dressings,
bandages) which need to be administered, replaced and disposed as instructed.
Food store, handling and disposal need training because nutrition and hydration are part of
daily routine, service users and staff members are directly involved and most common
diseases, illnesses and harms come from unsafe practice concerning food.
2. Be able to carry out own responsibilities for health and safety
2.1 Use policies and procedures or other agreed ways of working that relate to health and
safety
I work as a HCA registered with an agency, so I go to different social care settings all the
time. That means I always make myself familiar with local policies and procedures, I also
consult the service users’ care plans, work together with staff members and superiors. I also
have the responsibility to observe and report any harms, damages or injuries to the ones who
have the competence to deal with these issues.
2.2 Support others to understand and follow safe practices
I often have the opportunity to work with new colleagues, so I do my best to help them get
used to the ways of working, even explain them more detailed and in simple words. When
there is a task that requires two people, I usually offer myself to take the lead in performing
the task.
2.3 Monitor and report potential health and safety risks
Simple checks can easily help preventing any harms, such as keeping an eye on service users
especially if they lack capacity, keeping paperwork up to date (care plans, risk assessment),
maintaining a proper environment, regularly revising the equipment we use.
2.4 Use risk assessment in relation to health and safety
Every service user has a risk assessment included in the care plan, so it is easy to use it on a
daily basis, but there are also risk assessments for the activities carried on inside the
institution, all the equipment used (moving and handling equipment, maintenance tools,
kitchen utensils etc.) also has a regular basis for revision and the policies and procedures may
also change according to legislation revisions.
2.5 Demonstrate ways to minimise potential risks and hazards
There are some common sense rules that often prevent the damages and injuries: keeping
appliances switched off when not in use, ensure there is proper ventilation, always check the
electricity, water and gas systems, keeping the space light and free of obstacles to ensure
there is enough room for all activities, reporting and recording any potential risk and hazard.
2.6 Access additional support or information relating to health and safety
The supervisor/manager is always available for extra support when needed, and a social care
setting must have the local procedures and policies ready to be consulted all the time (i.e.
posters, leaflets, contact details etc.). There are also organizations and unions outside the
workplace for the ones who want to attend.
The foreign workers or the ones who are not very familiar with English can access Health
and Safety Executive publications in multiple languages. Conventional safety signs and
signals are common for all leaflets in different languages so that they are easily understood.
3 Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness
3.1 Describe different types of accidents and sudden illness that may occur in own work
setting
The most common accidents in a social care setting are caused by slips, trips and falls due to
activities carried on, but there are also sudden illnesses caused by allergies to certain foods,
unsafe practice concerning medication, environmental incidents (equipment may break; gas,
water or electricity may cause fire or leakage due to bad maintenance).
3.2 Explain procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur.
- Evaluate the situation (the exact image of what we see, who is there and how serious is the
incident)
- Take immediate action (interrupt the source or the activity that caused the incident)
- Keep self and others safe (try not to touch dangerous hazards, help improving the
environment – obstacles, ventilation)
- Get professional help if deemed necessary (leave the details to the ones who have the
competence to deal with the problem)
- Record information in an accident form or violent incident form (state facts, quotations,
date, time and sign)
- Update Risk assessments (monitoring people and referring to care plans)
- Inform next of kin and Care Manager (this has to be done according to the care plan and
risk assessment)
4. Be able to reduce the spread of infection
4.1 Explain own role in supporting others to follow practices that reduce the spread of
infection
First of all I make sure I follow the procedure for infection control (personal hygiene,
appearance, using PPE and wash my hands correctly), then I encourage the others to do the
same by explaining and even demonstrating the techniques if necessary. I also pay attention
to unsafe practice and do my best to reduce it.
4.2 Demonstrate the recommended method for hand washing
- Wet the hands with water
- Use only liquid soap if possible, from a self-dispensing recipient
- Lather and scrub for about 30 seconds under the nails, between the fingers, on both sides
of the hand and palm
- Rinse thoroughly
- Dry hands thoroughly
- Use a wipe or tissue to turn off the water tap if not turning off automatically
- Use liquid hand sanitizer for extra care after hand washing
4.3 Demonstrate ways to ensure that own health and hygiene do not pose a risk to an
individual or to others at work
For example, if I am suffering from an illness caused by viruses or bacteria and I come in
contact with residents or other staff members, there is a likelihood of spreading the infection.
Lack of hygiene may be a hazard for the others because there are people more or less
sensitive to infection, and in a social care setting the physical contact is more often seen than
in other jobs. Therefore I make sure I keep the uniform/work clothes clean all the time, and I
do not wear them outside the workplace. I am directly responsible of my own health and
personal hygiene, the second one being a matter of common sense. For a more efficient
protection I use personal protective equipment and wash the hands as instructed.
5. Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects safely
5.1 Explain the main points of legislation that relates to moving and handling
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 was amended in 2002 and gives details about
all actions taken to perform tasks (pushing, pulling, lifting, moving, putting down, carrying
by hand or bodily any goods, equipment and people).
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 was created to
detail the use of equipment in social care settings (walking frames, wheelchairs, stand-aids,
hoists, transfer belts, sliding sheets, turn-tables, trolleys – for food/medication).
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995
sets out the procedure of reporting incidents (what, when and who needs to report/be
reported, as well as the authorities and professionals who have the competence to deal with
reports).
5.2 Explain principles for safe moving and handling
It is important that we always evaluate the situation before performing the task. We have to
make sure we are physically able to do it, we have the training required, the equipment used
is well maintained, the environment is adequate, the load is safe, the task is in accordance to
care plan and risk assessment.
5.3 Move and handle equipment and other objects safely
Always comply with the correct techniques of manual handling, because this way we keep
ourselves and the others safe. This competence can be achieved by attending the training
session provided by the employer. We also have to pay attention to the equipment and
environment and report anything that is in contradiction to the policies and procedures.
6. Be able to handle hazardous substances and materials
6.1 Describe types of hazardous substances that may be found in the work setting
Hazardous substances that can be found in an adult social care setting are foods, drinks,
kitchen substances (ingredients, allergens), medication, cleaning chemicals, maintenance
substances (fuels, oils) and body fluids (blood, urine/faeces, vomit).
6.2 Demonstrate safe practices for:
• storing hazardous substances
Using clean and appropriate containers for each type of food, label with date and time when
necessary, set the right temperature for fridge/freezer, keep the medication, maintenance
substances and cleaning products locked.
• using hazardous substances
Washing hands thoroughly before and after each operation to prevent cross-contamination,
use appropriate PPE , separate foods according to the colour code table available in the
setting, cook foods as instructed and check the temperature, serve food in clean dishes and
use clean cutlery, administering medication as instructed.
• disposing of hazardous substances and materials
Always checking the “use by” and “best before” dates and respecting them, avoiding the
waste by cooking as much as it is necessary and keeping the remaining cooked food in
appropriate containers and storing spaces, separate the waste in order to recycle when
possible and to prevent infection or pest invasion (see the colour code for bins and bags),
keep the bins locked or at least away from the cooking and eating premises.
7. Be able to promote fire safety in the work setting
7.1 Describe practices that prevent fires from:
a. starting:
- Keep heating and electrical equipment and appliances safe, in good functional estate and
turned off when not using
- Use and store chemical substances safely, locked or outside the area of activity
- Smoking is allowed only in designed areas
- Report any electrical hazards to the manager/supervisor
- Keep free and fast access to electrical control panels
- Keep the extinguishers close
b. spreading:
- Act quickly when the alarm goes on by going straight to the fire assembly point
- Close windows and doors on the way to prevent spreading the flames
- Do not use the lift/elevator
- Dial the fire emergency number or get someone to do it
- Follow the instructions of the leader in order to help the others and fight the fire
7.2 Demonstrate measures that prevent fires from starting
It is important that all staff members have the adequate fire training, avoid panic in case of
emergency, make themselves familiar with the gas, electric and water system of the building,
ensure good housekeeping of the premises, give support to the ones who need it at any time.
7.3 Explain emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a fire in the work setting
If we discover a fire, we need to press the alarm or shout “fire!”, then dial emergency number
and ask for the fire service, follow instructions and go to the assembly point. If we are trained
to do so, we help evacuating people from fire zone, always keeping contact with the leader.
7.4 Ensure that clear evacuation routes are maintained at all time
Maintaining the environment free from obstacles can always make dealing with fire more
efficient. Always ensure there is plenty of space for any type of activity. Clear signs of exits
and assembly point help in guiding people to the safety zone.
8. Be able to implement security measures in the work setting
8.1 Demonstrate use of agreed procedures for checking the identity of anyone requesting
access to:
 • premises - Keep and use a guest book in the premises (this also helps in case of fire)
• information - Ask for further personal details if necessary (who they are, ID, photo etc.)
and what are their intentions concerning the information they asked for.
8.2 Demonstrate use of measures to protect own security and the security of others in the
work setting
- Keep the building secure by paying attention to the doors and windows
- Lock the doors and windows when not used
- Do not give out key codes to outsiders
- Inform supervisor/manager immediately
- Keep confidentiality (official documents locked)
- Do not disclose electronic and computer passwords to outsiders
- In case of a security breach or intrusion, start to improve the handling of information
policy and procedure as soon as possible and record the incident according to the procedure
- Move people to a safe room/area as soon as possible if necessary
8.3 Explain the importance of ensuring that others are aware of own whereabouts
It is essential that my colleagues and superiors have to know where I am for various reasons. If
they have something important to communicate, someone is visiting me at work or there is an
emergency, they can reach me easily whether I am in a resident’s bedroom, or using the toilet, or
I left the premises during my lunch break.
9. Know how to manage stress
9.1 Describe common signs and indicators of stress
The most common signs or symptoms of stress are physically visible (trembling, sweating,
blushing frequently), aches or pains accused (migraine, insomnia, frequent mood changes), or
difficulties in simple daily routine (making decisions, confusion in concentrating, learning new
information).
9.2 Describe signs that indicate own stress
I personally may feel stressed when overworking to make extra hours and I lack of rest time
and/or nutrition and hydration due to not having enough time for it. Another stressful situation
can be the situations I deal outside the job (family and/or friends issues, financial problems, or a
real and recent example in my case – moving into a new home and trying to be reasonable and
please everyone); these problems may seriously affect someone’s work.
9.3 Analyse factors that tend to trigger own stress
This aspect refers to factors that do not belong to one's own person but are found within the
workplace, such as possible conflicts with other staff members/manager, not enough attention
and response from the management, dealing with difficult residents/family members, having
Safeguarding or CQC allegations against the organization.
9.4 Compare strategies for managing stress
First of all the optimism helps a lot. This can be achieved by analysing all the situation with a
balance between positive and negative points. An overview of the situation is useful in order to
get over it easier. I personally follow the principle of cause and effect – I eliminate the source of
stress in order to get rid of the stress itself. Another way to control the stress level is not
neglecting ourselves by making sure we sleep, eat and entertain enough. A person who is content
of himself/herself is obviously a good worker.