Physical – these are agents within the work or home environment that can cause tissue trauma for example radiation, lasers, noise, electricity, extreme temperatures, violence not all of these would be applicable to the home environment.
Environmental/ mechanical - these are factors encountered in the environment that cause or lead to accidents, injuries, stain or discomfort. For example tripping hazards, unsafe/unguarded equipment, air quality, slippery floors, confined spaces, cluttered or obstructed areas, corridors, forceful exertions, awkward postures, localised contact stresses, vibration temperature extremes, repetitive, prolonged motions or activities, lifting and moving objects or patients.
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Working Environment
Employers must comply with relevant Health and Safety Legislation, however it is also the duty of each employee to take reasonable care of their own and other people’s welfare and to report any situation, which may pose a threat to the well being of any other person.
To ensure compliance all employees should be provided with equipment, informative training and supervision to a level that ensures they can carry out their job safely. Employers should carry out risk assessments, which identify risks associated with each area of work to ensure the provision and maintenance of safe places to work, safe equipment and safe practices/ safe systems of work. Employees must report all injuries i.e. staff, patients, members of the public they should also report all near misses or adverse incidents.
Employers also need to have in place policies and procedures as a guideline for staff. These should also take into account their duty to protect the health and safety of others for example – other contractors working on the premises, temporary workers, agency workers, volunteers, visitors to the premises, in hospitals and care facilities the patients.
When working in another organisations premises
The member of staff would be expected to comply with the organisations Health and Safety standards. The organisation should inform them of these standards in writing and to any health and safety risks which they might be exposed to. The member of staff also should inform the organisation of any risks, which may affect the organisation as a result of the nature of the work they have been contacted to carry out.
Any staff not directly employed by the organisation should be subject to any pre-employment requirements for example health screening. Staff visiting from the organisation must be informed of the health and safety polices in particular what to do in the event of a fire or major incident this is also required for volunteers.
Working practices which have potential hazards
There are certain activities, procedures, working techniques and use of materials or equipment, which may create potential hazards these, are.
General Working Environment –
Poor design of premises, poor lighting, inadequate space and comfort to perform duties, poor hygiene and cleanliness.
Health _ Problems –
Poor control of substances hazardous to health, risks of acquiring an infection by not introducing infection control measures, poor health surveillance and Occupational Health services, poor conditions in relation to visual display units. Inadequate equipment, for staff for working with special hazards.
Safe use of chemicals – poor risk assessments in place, poor details for skin contamination and first aid treatment and poor supply of protective clothing.
The air we breathe –Poor conditions for using dusty materials, poor ventilation, poor instructions on gas applications and asbestos and poor risk assessments in limiting exposure.
Noise and Vibration – poor risk assessments to identify noise or vibration levels and poor provision of ear equipment
Radiation – poor assessments of risks i.e. exposure to microwaves and radio frequencies, ultra-violet light, infra-red, lasers and ionising radiations, and lack of correct procedures to minimise any risks.
Electricity - lack of guidance on static electricity, electric shock, overhead lines, underground cables, portable apparatus, switches and conduct, sockets, plugs and explosion protection can create risks.
Machinery Safety – Poor identification of hazards, not introducing the proper guards to prevent injury.
Fire – poor instructions for what to do in the event of a fire, poor handling of highly flammable liquids, flammable gas cylinders, oxygen and flammable and unstable solution.
Explosion – poor identification of risks for pressure explosions, liquid petroleum gas dust explosions, gas and oil.
Dangerous Substances – poor identification of risks i.e. continuation waste, risks in storage and handling and emergency plans for incidents.
Transport and Handling Materials – poor practices in relation to use of transport vehicles and their maintenance, safe lifting procedures and manual handling procedures.
Preventing falls - poor instructions for the prevention of falls i.e. in use of ladders, scaffolds and roof work, wet floors etc.
Maintenance Work - poor identification of what needs to be maintained, not providing work permits.
Incidents
There may be incidents occurring which create risks. Some of the incidents, which can occur, relate to:
Aggression and Violence – risk of being assaulted in your day to day work
Chemical spillages – when working with chemicals there can be risks i.e. when not following the correct procedures for handling and diluting these and not following the correct procedures for cleaning up spillages.
Injuries – for example by using poor manual handling techniques, sharps injuries, unsafe and poor use of equipment for example repetitive strain injuries.
Bomb scares – if there is not a major evacuation plan in place this creates a risk to all.
Intrusions - planned procedures are required on how to deal with intrusions and what to do.
Policies and procedures would also be required to identify and reduce the risks of lost property i.e. keys, money, missing persons, individuals locked out of premises.
Risks
The employer needs to have a comprehensive risk assessment framework in place to identify and minimise any risks. These risks assessments should be carried out in all areas of works and especially in relation to risk of contamination, injury, possibility of danger or damage to the environment and goals.
Accidents
Accidents may be caused by poor practices i.e. wet floors, not cleaning up spillages, poor maintenance of equipment. Falls may also occur when people have certain illnesses, which make them weaker or affect their balance. If someone is confused they may not realise the dangers, which can result in accidents. Sensory problems i.e. someone not hearing or seeing a warning or signs can cause accidents. If proper facilities for disabled people are not in place this can cause accidents.
This task has looked at the potential hazards in Health and Social care settings in order to reduce these risks the government has introduced laws to ensure safe working environments and practices.
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