HEALTH & SAFETY
correctly maintained and tested to ensure the safety of both the user and you as the operator.
CHEMICAL AND SUBSTANCE HANDLING To ensure cleanliness is kept to the highest of standards you may be required to use strong cleaning substances.
To correctly dispose of harmful substances, caregivers should be fully up to date with their Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) training, which covers the basics of identifying, measuring, controlling and the disposal of harmful substances.
Prepared Be
Fay Gibbin, CEO of award-winning national training provider BB Training Academy,
highlights the importance of offering sufficient health and safety training for care staff.
As a care worker, you have a responsibility to keep those in your care safe and to create an environment in which they feel confident and secure. To maintain robust health and safety procedures, you need to ensure that every caregiver is aware of the latest best practice and fully trained to handle any challenge that comes their way, quickly and efficiently.
So, what areas should you consider to make sure that safety procedures follow the latest industry standards and are kept to a high level of practice?
SECURE ENTRY A care establishment should be equipped with the latest secure entry and exit system to keep intruders out and residents safely inside. It is also important to ensure you always have a record of who is currently in the building, which isn’t as simple as it sounds when you have various visitors throughout the day. A quality system will track visitors as they enter and leave, ensuring you have an up-to-date list of people in the building.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION AND STORAGE Your role as a caregiver will oſten require you to administer vital medication. Only qualified members of the team should be responsible for this, and it is important to always keep any medication securely locked away.
MOVING AND HANDLING Before moving anyone in your care, they will need to be risk assessed by a trained assessor and the members of staff moving them are required to have the correct training. If you are using any equipment, such as a hoist, it should be
- 44 -
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS Unfortunately, although we do everything we can to prevent them, accidents do happen. Ensure you have a detailed yet easy to use accident and incident reporting system in place that will allow you to record information in line with RIDDOR reporting requirements.
INFECTION CONTROL Lower immune systems, coupled with working closely with others, means that understanding the most effective infection control procedures is vital in keeping residents and staff teams safe from nasty viruses.
You should be aware of the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and have it on site at all times and be informed of barrier nursing practice to limit cross contamination.
MENTAL HEALTH There are many challenges that staff, as well as residents and their families, will face within the care environment. Being aware of the triggers and signs of mental health issues will help maintain the wellbeing of those you come into contact with. It is also important to be aware of your own stress levels and know when to seek help.
Mental health first aid courses are available to support you in minimising the impact of mental ill health, and trainers can work with you to develop a considerate wellbeing strategy.
FIRST AID Care needs can be unpredictable and, while you hope the health of those in your care remains stable, the reality is that their medical status can change suddenly and without warning.
In the face of a medical emergency, you need to act quickly and efficiently. Along with your team members, you should be proficient in the latest first aid training, which will need to be refreshed at least every three years.
As well as receiving your first aid qualification through an accredited provider, the NHS website offers a handy flowchart to help quickly identify how to act on an emergency within care homes.
This list is not exhaustive and working within a care environment will mean that you will face many new and varied health and safety issues. However, with the right training and clear processes and procedures in place, you and your team will be ready to face any challenges that come your way, ensuring the utmost safety of those in your care.
www.busybeestraining.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
