Health and Social Care

Unit 208:

Outcome 1: Understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social care settings:

      1.1 Legislations relating to general health and safety in a social care setting are:

* Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
* Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
* Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
* The Food Safety Act 1990
* Safety (general food hygiene) Regulations 1995
* Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995
* Manual Handling operations Regulations 1992
* Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002

1.2 Health and Safety policies and procedures in the health and social care settings are very important and need to be followed at all times. The main points for health and safety within the policies and procedures laid out by all care employers are:

* To make the workplace safe and free of hazards.
* To make sure that all protective clothing is being provided and being used at all times while dealing with a service user.
* All machinery needs to be stored, reviewed and used correctly.
* All injuries need to be reported to the relevant person.
* All employers and employees must take responsibilities for their own health and safety.
* To co-operate with your employer in all health and safety issues. Emergency plans must be set out.

1.3 The main responsibilities for a social care worker include:

* To ensure that all protective equipment is being used at all times
* To ensure that all mechanical equipment that has been provided is up to date on its service and is in a safe working condition
* Take responsible care of your own health and safety
* Keep all long hair tied back at all times
* Report any injuries/incidents to your employer

The main responsibilities for an employer or manager include:

* To ensure that all workplaces are risk assessed before any care can be provided...