2.4 - Health and Safety incidents in health and social care settings

What is an incident

It is an unpleasant and unusual event that compromises health and safety

What are the 4 health and safety incidents

1. Accidents

2. Emergencies

3. Outbreaks of infectious diseases

4. Missing person

How to respond to accidents

• The details and response need to be written down, signed and dated by those involved

• Every setting should have a policy and procedure setting on what to do in an accident

• Recording accidents so that they can be reviewed for any patterns and identify if action needs to be taken

What are emergencies

They are more dangerous or serious events than accidents that require immediate action and are life-threatening

What can cause emergencies 

Fire, flood, chemical or gas leaks

What is the evacuation procedure

It is a procedure every setting must have that is shared with all staff, service user and visitors which includes the location of all the fire exits and states where to meet once evacuated

Why do a drill?

• To identify any issues with the procedures so that it can be corrected

• To ensure everyone remains calm

• To ensure everyone will evacuate safely

How can adaptations be made to the fire alarm to help those with special needs

• A blue flashing light can be used so that those who have hearing impairment know they should evacuate

• An evacuation chair to help those who need mobility aid to evacuate the building

Name one outbreak of infectious disease and briefly discuss the details of the outbreak

Nipah virus: A zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through infected animals e.g. pigs and bats, or food contaminated with saliva, urine and excreta of infected animals. It can also be transmitted through contact with an infected person. Fruit bats/flying foxes are the natural hosts for the virus.

Between 1 January and 29 August 2025, WHO was notified of 4 confirmed fatal nipah virus infection cases. They were reported from 4 different districts across 3 geographical divisions (Barisal, Dhaka and Rajshahi) in Bangladesh.

Infected people developed symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pin), vomiting and sore throat. This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness and neurological signs that include acute encephalitis. Encephalitis and seizures occurred in severe cases which progresses to coma within 24-48 hours.

Which service users are vulnerable to going missing in health and social care settings

Those with mental health issues, learning disabilities or dementia