Health and Safety in Social Care

Health and Safety |
How do the Health and Safety Policies and Procedures protect people using social care settings?
The intention of these policies and procedures is to prevent people from receiving unsafe care and treatment and to prevent avoidable harm or risk of harm. Care providers must assess the risks to people's health and safety during any care or treatment and make sure that all staff have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience to keep people safe. They must also make sure that the premises and any equipment used is safe and where apllicable, available in sufficient quantities. Medicines must be supplied in sufficient quantities, managed safely and administered appropriately to make sure people are safe. Providers must also prevent and control the spread of infection.
How do the Health and Safety Policies and Procedures protect people who work in social care settings?
Policies and procedures may include agreed ways of working as well as formal policies and procedures. Protection may include identifying the significant risks, the control measures for hazards, the arrangements for reporting accidents or health problems, arrangements for first aid, fire and other emergencies, arrangements for communicating health and safety
Below is a comparison of the differences in the main health and safety responsibilities of each of the following:
      Social Care Worker:
  * Take care of their own health and safety, as well as others
  * Co-operate with their employer by following policies and procedures
  * Must use personal protective equipment as necessary
  * Must adhere to achieve training and follow instructions
  * Not to misuse or tamper with anything provided in the interest of health and safety or welfare
Employer/Manager:
  * Provide information, instruction, training and supervision as necessary. Ensure staff are aware of instructions provided by manufacturers and suppliers of equipment
  * Provide a safe place of...