ensuring safety for service users and staff

Health and Safety Work Act (1974)

• must create a health and safety policy from this.

• must include: risk assessments, health and safety training offered, record of accidents and current health and safety issues, infection control, dress code, rules on manual handling.

risk assessment

• identifying and evaluating the possible consequences of hazards and the level of risk that the hazard will cause harm.

• they are in place to reduce injury, harm and death within health and social care settings.

• involves assessing all the procedures and activities the setting is involved in and assessing the level of risk.

• likelihood x severity.

risks and hazards

• risk - the likelihood that a hazard will cause harm.

• hazard - anything that could potentially cause harm.

reporting and recording accidents and incidents

• must follow RIDDOR (2013).

• must officially report diphtheria, food poisoning, rubella, tuberculosis, broken bones, serious burns and death.

• aims to prevent accidents reoccurring and support insurance claims.

• less serious accidents or incidents must also be reported and are required law and checked when a care setting is inspected.

  • recorded by using accident form to report all details, which are then recorded in an accident book.

  • e.g. if someone slips on wet floor or trips over bag, this should be recorded regardless of injury.

COSHH Regulations (2002)

aims to ensure that there are controls in place when practitioners deal with hazardous substances.

disposal of hazardous waste

• clinical waste, e.g. used bandages, plasters or other dressings → yellow bag, waste is burned in a controlled setting.

• needles and syringes → yellow sharps box which is sealed, waste burned in a controlled setting.

• body fluids, e.g. urine, vomit or blood → flushed down sluice drain, area must be cleaned and disinfected.

• soiled linen → red laundry bag, laundered at the appropriate temperature.

• recyclable equipment and instruments → blue bag, returned to central sterilisation services (CSSD) for sterilising then reuse.

key points on safeguarding

• if a child or vulnerable adult shares info that raises concerns about their personal safety, they disclose they are being abused or you believe they are at risk of harm then you should follow the setting’s safeguarding policy and report it to the designated safeguarding lead.

• must break confidentiality if at risk of harm, but explain to the service user that you are going to share this information and with who.

protecting service users and providers from infection

• washing hands before and after: leaving workplace, eating, going to the toilet, sneezing/coughing, personal care.

• safe handling and disposal of sharp objects, e.g. needles and syringes.

• keeping soiled linen in designated laundry bags/bins, using separate trolleys for soiled and clean linen, always washing hands after and wearing a protective apron and gloves during.

• wear protective disposable gloves and aprons when coming into contact with bodily fluids or open wounds/rashes.

• cleaning all equipment according to procedures.

• wearing protective clothing for any activities including close personal care or contact with bodily fluids.

• wearing PPE - personal protective equipment.

provision of first aid

• follow Health and Safety Regulations (1981).

• first-aid should be adequate and appropriate.

accident forms

• must be recorded in accident book.

• should include the name of the casualty, the nature of the accident/injury, the date, time and location of the incident, record of the treatment given.

• must be truthful and accurate.

complaints procedures

• right to have complaint dealt with swiftly and efficiently.

• have a proper, careful investigation of their concerns.

• know outcomes of investigations.

• have a review of the facts and if they think the action/decision is unlawful.

• receive compensation if they have been harmed physically or psychologically as a result of the situation they are complaining about