1 Understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social care settings
1.1 Identify legislation relating to health and safety in a social care setting
Current legislation and subsequent amendments may include:
Health & Safety at Work Act
The Management of Health & Safety Work Regulations
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
Manual Handling Operations Regulations
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
Personal Protective equipment regulations
1.2 Explain how health and safety policies and procedures protect those 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
Control measures for hazards
Arrangements for reporting accidents or health problems
Arrangements for first aid, fire and emergencies
Arrangements for communicating health and safety
1.3 Compare the differences in the main health and safety responsibilities of:
The social care worker
Responsibilities of the social care worker may include:
To take reasonable care for own and others’ health and safety
To report to employer potential and actual hazards and risks
To take part in health and safety training
To understand and comply with health and safety instructions and procedure
The employer or manager
Responsibilities of the employer or manager may include:
To provide a safe place of work
To assess risks and take action to reduce them
To provide information, instruction, training and supervision
To provide safety signs
To provide adequate welfare and first aid facilities
Others in the social care setting
Others may include:
Team members
Other colleagues
Those who use or commission their own health or social care services
families,...