Week 2 - Safe Practice Environment

Flashcards defining key health and safety legislation, radiation protection principles, duties of care, and safety management requirements for healthcare environments.

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The main UK workplace health and safety legislation that emerged pre-1974 laws, it places a duty of care to all employers to promote safe working environments and also places a duty of care to employees to take reasonable care for their health and safety, as well as others.

Who should health and safety legislation be enforced by and why ?

Should be enforced by health and safety commission as well as local authorities. This is important as it ensures that the correct procedures and practices have been followed for safety of workers

What are some examples of health and safety legislations ?

• Health and safety at work Act 1974

• Management of health and safety at work regulations 1999

• Ionising radiations regulations 2017 (IRR17)

• Relevant infection prevention, manual handling and workplace safety requirements

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

The organization responsible for monitoring legislation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, recruiting inspectors for workplace visits, establishing best practice enforcement, and implementing legislative changes.

Employers' Duties

Statutory responsibilities under health and safety law requiring provision of a safe environment, safe access and exits, safe equipment and working methods, safe storage of toxic substances, regular staff training, and adequate welfare provisions.

Employees' Duties

Statutory responsibilities requiring workers to co-operate with employers on safety, take reasonable care of themselves and others, follow systems of work, report hazards, comply with workplace policies, and not misuse equipment.

Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

UK statutory legislation designed to protect workers and the general public from the hazards of exposure to ionising radiation in the workplace.

Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R)

UK legislation, including the 2024 amendments, providing safety standards and legal protection for individuals undergoing medical exposures to ionising radiation.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Workplace regulations that reinforce the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by requiring employers to manage health and safety systematically and evaluate risks.

Justification

A fundamental radiation protection principle requiring that each medical exposure produce a sufficient net benefit before it takes place.

Optimisation

The radiation protection principle of keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) for the clinical purpose while maintaining required diagnostic image quality.

Dose Limitation

A core radiation protection principle applied to restrict the radiation dose received by individuals from occupational exposure.

Controlled Area

A designated radiation area where specific local rules must be observed, exposures require standing behind protective barriers, and unnecessary people must remain outside.

Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS)

An appointed professional responsible for ensuring compliance with radiation local rules, such as isolating X-ray units after exposure and using a dose rate monitor upon entering a controlled area.

Standard Infection Control Precautions

Routine measures implemented to prevent healthcare-associated infection transmission, including hand hygiene, surface/detector disinfection between patients, PPE use, sharps safety, and clinical waste disposal.

Radiation Risk Assessment

A necessary evaluation process conducted to assess hazards, prepare contingency plans, and outline investigation procedures for radiation emergencies.