HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKPLACE
Table of Contents
TASK 1: 2
Reference Guide for Health and Social Care workplace: 2
Overview: 2
1.1 Reviews of systems, policies and procedures for communication: Health and Safety 2
1.2 Responsibilities in a specific health and social care: 4
1.2.1 Organizational Responsibilities: 4
1.2.2 Monitoring and evaluating process: 5
1.2.3 Inspecting the workplace: 5
1.2.4 Management Structure: 5
1.2.5 Representation: 6
1.3 Analysis of Health and Safety priorities: 6
1.3.1 Safety aid: 6
1.3.1.1 Walking aid: 6
1.3.1.2 Wheelchair: 6
1.3.1.2 Security system: 6
1.3.1.2.1 Door locks: 6
1.3.1.2.2 Cameras: 7
1.3.1.2.3 Gates: 7
1.3.1.2.4 Alarms: 7
1.3.1.2.5
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Similarly, as per the Health and Safety Executive 1991, organization needs to manage all health and safety measures of the same degree and standard as other core activities of that business firm [Available from: http://www.atl.org.uk/health-and-safety/legal-framework/health-safety-legislation.asp, 21st November 2012].
Researcher reviewed that adoption of health and safety measures is important to implement in any workplace as it promotes well-being and disease free environment. As per Health and Safety Act 1974, workers can be assigned for individual responsibility and it can be applied to both employers and employees. This act also ensures that any safety tool or measures cannot be hampered as it is for general interest of staffs, clients and visitors (Zanko and Dawson, 2012).
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, a governing body which is operated for managing risk responsibility is the structure of the safety committee [Available from: http://careuk.com/who-are-care-uk/care-uk-story, 21st November 2012]. The researcher observed the structure of the organization that deals with responsibilities for Health and Safety.
Fig 1: Organizational structure for Health and Safety in a Workplace
Source: Created by the author
1.2 Responsibilities in a specific health and social care:
Health and social care ensure that safety measures are properly adopted
Employers, managers and supervisors should all ensure that workplace practices reflect the risk assessment and safety statement. Behavior, the way in which everyone works, must reflect the safe working practices laid down in these documents. Supervisory checks and audits should be carried out to determine how well the aims set down are being achieved. Corrective action should be taken when required. Additionally, if a workplace is provided for use by others. The safety statement must also set out the safe work practices that are relevant to them. Hence, it is
The health and safety at work act promotes good safety of individuals in a health and social
What are your responsibilities under current health and safety legislation, standards and guidance, eg the Health & Safety at Work Act (and any other relevant legislation).
Answer – The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main piece of the health and safety legislation in Great Britain. It provides the legal framework to promote and encourage high standards in the workplace.
The employer has a responsibility to follow the regulation which is known as the ‘Health and Safety at Work Act 1974’. This is An Act to make further provision for securing the health, safety and
health and safety procedures and practises should be under continual scrutiny and areas for improvement should be monitored and dealt with. A good method of monitoring & improving are health, safety and security procedures are visually. Check visitors have signed in the visitor’s book, look for items blocking fire exits or hallways, wet signs are in place during cleaning, COSHH cupboards are kept locked, medication trolleys are secure, hoists are clean and stored in a correct storage place. Policies and procedures need to be reviewed regularly to ensure they are still relevant, circumstances in workplace can change and new risk assessments will need to be put in place or old ones reviewed. Policies and procedures may need evaluating and developing
Employers must provide a safe working environment for all of their employees. The legislation states it is an employer’s duty "to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work" of all their employees as well as others on their premises, including temps, casual workers, the self-employed, clients, visitors and the general public.Workers health is paramount within an organisation, employers must ensure that all workers health is not affected by the work they are doing and put in place all necessities to prevent this. The Health and Safety at Work Act sets out specific standards which can add costs to a business, however these costs are considered essential for the safety of all workers. Most of the costs come from training staff about health and safety and putting in place procedures to maintain this. This act prevents unfair unsafe working conditions which in turn reduces the likelihood of accidents or injury at work. If a worker has injured themselves at work due to something which could have been otherwise prevented by the company had the followed the guidelines of the Health and Safety at Work Act they company may be required to pay out for the injury. For those who employ five or more staff, employers must also keep and revise a written record of health and safety policy and consult
When an emergency occurs and first aid is required it is always important for a qualified first aider to carry out any first aid required there are many reasons for this, the most important is that if a non qualified person try s to give first aid they may cause more damage or injury to the individual, it is also against policies and procedures of organisations and health and safety legislations.
1.1 - Explain the legislative framework for health, safety and risk management in the work setting. The Health and safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the major piece of the health and safety legislation in Great Britain. It provides the legal framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards.
The main piece of legislation affecting the management of health and safety in educational establishments across all sectors is the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 (HSWA). This Act provides a framework for
Task 4Ensuring health and safety is an important responsibility not only for the Managers but all associated with the premises. Evaluate your organisation’s health and safety policy and procedures in line with legislative requirements and propose recommendations on how health and safety should be managed
An Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) is a planned, documented and verifiable method of managing workplace hazards and their associated risks (Pillay, 2016). An OHSMS provides a structure that allows an organisation to identify and control health and safety risks within the organisation. The implementation of such structures promotes a safe and healthy working environment which, in turn, will reduce the potential for accidents in the workplace whilst aiding legislative compliance and improving the overall performance of the organisation. Comparing and contrasting OHSMSs through the analysis of available literature allows one to determine the most appropriate management system for their organisation.
Health and safety legislations and regulations are implemented in own work settings because there will always be a possibility of accidents happening which may damage someone’s health and all work will expose people to hazards, however the health and safety legislations and regulations are put in place and used so that these risks and hazards are under control and so everyone’s health (staff and children) are safe at all costs.
This responsibility motivates the HR department and managers to implement stringent policies to prevent work-related injuries to avoid paying for higher workers’ compensation insurance. Moreover, it inspires the company to promote safety by organizing a safety committee to address hazards in the workplace to prevent injuries or deaths. The committee solicits employee suggestions and participation to increase compliance to company policies. It also develops various safety programs to promote employee wellness to improve their quality of life (Gomez-Mejia, et al, 2010).
This paper is intended to provide an organized approach for managing Workplace Health and Safety through the development of a management system compliant with the Australian Standard AS4801. In addition to this paper the explanation of relationship between BHP Billiton Limited for the provision of safety related services via a Corporate Service Agreement and specifies responsibilities and accountabilities for the parties.