Law Governing Safety

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Sherri Coltman                          BTEC LEVEL 2 Yr12 UNIT 2                     Mrs.Quay

Task 2-Laws Governing Safety.

For this task I will carry out research on different types of safety laws and regulations that are in place in a child care setting. For P1 I will make detailed notes describing each legislation and for M1 I will explain how the implementations of each law will protect staff and clients in a health care setting.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

This act gives general guidance about health and safety. It gives responsibility to the employers and employees to maintain the safety at a workplace. The Health and Safety at Work Act covers people at work and those who may be at risk from the activities of those engaged in work. This means that when you are working in a childcare setting or anywhere else you have the right to expect that you will not be exposed to any dangers to your health and safety. You must also make sure that you deal with or report any hazard that you see. You cannot just think it is someone else’s responsibility.

The legislation covers all of the following:

  • Building and services (design and maintenance). The care setting must be kept maintained so that there are no dangerous hazards to occur. There also must be safety signs put up so people know the dangers that are around.
  • Cleanliness of the environment and of food preparation areas. Care settings must be kept clean so there is no chance of spreading infections.
  • Safe storage and use of equipment. Storage places must be clearly labelled so you know what chemicals are stored were and what equipment is stored were.
  • Working practices that promote health and safety. You must insure there is a first aider present at the care setting so if any one is injured there is someone to help them.  
  • Provision of a safety policy. There must be health and safety signs put up so people clearly understand what is what.

If you notice anything that could be a source of danger you must report it immediately and/ or take steps to protect the other people in your work area. You must also co-operate with your employer on health and safety issues, for example by not using unsafe equipment and by taking note of warning notices/signs. Blocking fire exits with toys or uncovering electric sockets, for example, is a very serious offence because it goes against safety regulations and can cause death or serious injury.

How does this law protect staff and clients in a health and care setting?

This law protect staff and clients by allowing them to know how to be a first aider and how to use an accident record book. It protects them from any accidents that occur while they are in a health and care setting by carrying out their legal duties properly.  

   

The bibliography.

  • http://www.ornamentalfish.org/association/code/conduct/health.php
  • BTEC First Children’s Care, Learning and Development.

Food Safety Act 1990.

This act is the major law covering the safety of food from the farm to the point of sale. This act also lists offences for which people can be punished in relation to food e.g. rats running about a restaurant kitchen. These acts can be divided into two parts.

Public health:

  • Food must not be unfit for human consumption.
  • Food must not be so contaminated that it would be so unreasonable to expect anyone to eat it.

This protects staff and clients because it stops the staff getting into trouble for preparing food which is unfit for consumption.

Consumer protection:

  • Food must not be falsely presented e.g. if is says egg sandwich it has to be an egg sandwich not a ham sandwich.
  • Food must not be sold for sale, which is not of the nature or quality demanded by the purchaser e.g. it must not have a hair in it, which can be seen when on show.
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This act also gives environmental health officers the power to:

  • Enter any premises, which contains food to investigate any possible offences.
  • Inspect food to see if it is safe.
  • They are also allowed to take samples of the food.
  • They can detain suspect food and ask a magistrate to condemn it.
  •  A health officer can also take photos or videos to have as part of their evidence.
  • Examine, look and if necessary seize records in whatever from they are stored.

How does this law protect staff and clients in a health and care setting?

This law protect ...

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