Workplace Safety and Health Risks

The assignment delves into the critical topic of workplace safety, examining various health and safety risks prevalent in different work environments. It encourages students to conduct risk assessments, identify potential hazards, evaluate their severity, and propose effective control measures to mitigate these risks. The analysis draws upon relevant academic literature, including articles on workplace violence, injury prevention, and the impact of psychosocial factors on employee well-being.

Health and Safety in Health
and Social Care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Various systems of communicating health and safety..........................................................1
1.2 Outlining organisation procedure and responsibilities of individual:...................................2
1.3 Health and safety priorities and legal laws applicable for organisation:...............................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Risk assessment and findings to the management................................................................4
2.2 Impact of one aspect of health and safety policy on health care practice and customers.....6
2.3 Dilemmas encountered in relation to implementing systems and policies for and safety....7
2.4 Effects of non-compliance with legislation on health and social care..................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Ways by which health and safety polices are monitored and reviewed................................9
3.2 The effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in work place......................10
3.3 Own contribution to placing the health and safety needs of individuals............................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Organisation are not set up for the purpose of earning profits only but they aim to benefit
all stakeholder who are involved in their business. It is very important for them to ensure that
employees are working in a safe and sound environment within organisation. They have to
follow different laws which are enacted by the government in United Kingdom. They assist
organisation in lowering the chances of accidents which might hamper its productivity (Aiken
and et. al., 2012). Health and Safety within an health care organisation is very important as to
ensure that staff and other people are safe and do not get hurt by any object. This report is based
on different scenarios where various types of issues are addressed by St Margaret health and care
homes. There are many ways companies communicate and manage different types of priorities.
Also different types of hazards and and other dilemmas faced by people will be covered. The
case studies of North Staffordshire combined health care trust and four seasons healthcare
limited are taken as reference in this report.
TASK 1
1.1 Various systems of communicating health and safety
Organisations adopt different types of systems, policies and procedures to communicate
required data and information to the employees. It is very important as to ensure that people are
aware and they know what to do in a emergency. Managers in health and safety organisations
have to focus on providing all type of relevant information to employees who will then pass it on
to people who visit their premises (Baur, 2010). They have to create a culture and environment
which promotes a standardised set of rules and regulations for whole organisation. There are
certain activities undertaken by managers in communicating information:
Care planning: It provides assurance that an effective strategy has been formed for
implementation. Organisation have to develop infrastructure and other managerial function as to
meet all the requirements of care planning conducted. It will enhance safety and security of
premises and people (Blas and Kurup, 2010). As stated in case study, mid Staffordshire NHS
trust was not effective in building a good care plan for patients.
Dilemmas: There is requirement to manage risk within the organisation which can be done via
various methods of risk assessment. This will reduce the chances of dilemmas which impact
various communication channels.
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Management of Safety and Health: NHS and other health care organisations have to ensure
that they keep on managing their health and safety policies and procedures. This will boost
company ability to reduce chances of accidents.
Personal and organisational practice: There is requirement of standardised practices adopted
by people and company (Cancelliere and et. al., 2011). There are certain guidelines which are
released by NHS to ensure that there is no hindrance and discrimination communicating
information by anyone.
Use of vagarious types of tools: There are multiple tools which are used by Health and social
care organisation such as, Four seasons health care company. They use e-mails, letters and
seminars to communicate all the necessary steps taken by organisation.
Monitoring and Reviewing: They need to keep on reviewing and monitoring the usage of
various methods as to ensure that they are not hindering any flow of communication.
1.2 Outlining organisation procedure and responsibilities of individual:
Every organisation needs a well defined structure which will assist them in keeping the
flow of communication and other orders maintained (Carayon, 2016). There are certain things
which have to cleared by company as per the NHS and government guidelines. It have to clarify
risk, safety and security, minimum risk, zero risk, hazard, accident prevention, etc. also clearly
mentioning individual responsibilities will boost company safety and security environment.
There are certain activities which will assist organisation in improving awareness and
reducing risk:
 Clearly stating various terms-
◦ Risk: A potential threat
◦ Safety and security: safe and sound environment
◦ Minimum Risk: Lowest rate of risk present in surroundings
◦ Zero Risk: No risk present in environment
◦ Accident prevention: Precautionary steps taken to avoid any situation.
◦ First aid: A kit that is used to treat patient.
 Risk management: The company needs to underline how they will manage risk as to
ensure that a safe and sound environment is created. There are many factors which needs
to be assessed by the managers as to formulate a risk management policy.
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 Hazard treatment: In case of any accident, there is requirement of swift response which
only happens when company have a stabilised policy structure.
 Monitoring and review: Managers need to keep on evaluating current policies with more
effective ones as to update them and ensure more active and secure environment.
All the individuals in organisation are liable for some or the other acts. They have to
fulfil all the responsibilities which are associated with their job profile (Cooper and Quick,
2017). Also organisation as a whole have to ensure that they are able to provide right
infrastructure and set of policies which create safe and sound environment. The responsibilities
are as follows:
Honesty with patients: An employee has to ensure that he is treating patients with honesty and
communicating all the necessary information to them and their family in a right manner.
Professional competence: The staff needs to have a competency level which is required to
perform certain task.
Enhancing quality of services: Its in the hands of employee to boost the quality of services.
Developing mutual trust: They need to develop trust between them and their patients.
Following code of ethics: It is compulsory for employees to follow all rules and regulation
defined by management to ensure standardised services to customers.
Understanding personal and organisational responsibilities: When a person understand how
completion of his objectives and responsibilities will assist company in growing then the
organisation develops.
1.3 Health and safety priorities and legal laws applicable for organisation:
St Margaret health care homes have to ensure that they are abiding by all the legal laws
enacted for boosting health and safety of people in health and social care organisations (Detels
and et. al., 2011). There are many laws which are stated, such as:
Health and Safety Act 1974: This is a laws which stated about employee and employer
responsibilities towards any hazardous situation. It clearly mentioned that an employer has to
maintain maximum features to ensure safety and security of people.
Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation 1995: Government
has made it compulsory for healthcare organisations to report to it regarding any hazardous
occurrence as it can take corrective actions.
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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002: This law stated that
the organisation have to make sure that they keep extra security at sites where hazardous
substance are used. It needs to train employee accordingly.
Fire Precautions Regulations 1997: This law stated about the measures which have to taken by
the employer to ensure that in case of fire emergency, staff and patients are secure and sound.
Also situation is controlled.
Data Protection Act 1998: This act is related to protecting patients data as to secure them from
any personal or professional issues. It is very important for organisations to ensure that they use
effective methods to protect their own data and also employee's, and customers information from
wrong use.
Care standards Act 2000: This was established to standardised the health and social care
services to people around the country (Fox, 2011). All organisation have to follow these laws to
ensure that they provide effective services to people.
These are some laws which state about the organisational priorities which have to
fulfilled for achieving a desired level of effectiveness and productivity.
TASK 2
2.1 Risk assessment and findings to the management
Four seasons health care limited has been found guilty for not following the standards
which would have averted the situation. They failed to do proper care planning for the patient
which led to the accident. It is very important for organisation to do risk assessment as to ensure
that potentials risk are being treated and there is a mechanism which can respond to any issue
swiftly (Hasson, 2010). As stated in case study that four season had a lack in communication
which led to death of a patient who was not allowed to eat solid food but due to the persisting
problem in system staff was not informed which led to wrong meal and her death.
What are
the hazards
?
Who
might be
harmed
and how ?
What are you
already doing ?
Do you need to
do anything
else to manage
this risk?
Action by
whom?
Action by
when?
Done
Harmful
substances
Employee
dealing
Using different
types of methods
Additional
training
Manageme
nt of
This has to
done with a
15
days
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with the
material
to aware
employees to use
harmful
substances
carefully.
requirement as
to use
substances
more
professionally
and carefully.
Organisatio
n
set time
period to
ensure that
people are
ready to use
these
materials.
Fire and
other
causes
Patients
and
employees
These are the
situations which
can occur due to
negligence of
employee or short
circuit. So
maintenance
services are used
annually which are
not being
substantial
Proper
maintenance of
electric
equipments and
also placing
fire
extinguishing
equipments all
around place.
Managers
in
organisatio
n and
employees
The
instalments
has to be
done within
a set time
period.
While
employees
need to be
more careful
30da
ys
Workplace
environme
nt
Employees Organising
different type of
on the job and off
the job events
There is
requirement to
engage
employees in
team building
and working.
Managers
and
employees
collaborativ
ely.
This activity
will take
time as
proper
objectives
will be
established
and plan has
to be
followed.
6mon
ths.
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As stated in risk assessment, it is easy to identify level of risk which exist in for
organisation. There are three issues which have been identified in risk assessment and to
understand their severity we have to mark them as per priority (Insel and et. al., 2011). Also this
risk assessment as aided in finding out issues which needs to be addressed by organisation.
The finding of the whole assessment was that there are three risk which are faced by
organisation: risk from harmful substances, work environment and fire. These issues can hamper
and affect organisation functionality and may result in harming individuals who work in
organisation or are there to get treated.
2.2 Impact of one aspect of health and safety policy on health care practice and customers
Risk assessment is an important aspect of overall health and safety policies and
procedures. It have high level of impact on health and social care practice and its consumers. It
provides information regarding existing risk which can harm people working in an organisation
or can even lead to heavy fines. It assist in building up a healthy and safe environment for
employees and patients visiting care homes. It enriches system which leads to higher level of
satisfaction in customers.
Risk assessment provides information which prepares organisation for future
uncertainties. The organisational policies and procedures can be updated as per risk assessment.
The impact of policy on care practices is significant (Kocher and Adashi, 2011). The evaluation
leads to changes in rules and regulation which have direct impact on working and performance
of whole medical care organisation. The quality of services will be improved when these changes
will take place. The employees will feel more safer and secured and they will perform better
when environment will be favourable.
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Illustration 1: Risk Assessment(Assumed values), 2017

The staff and organisation have to ensure that they are able to formulate and maintain
individual caring policies and also intensify the duty time with effectiveness. They have to
ensure that all the necessary information reaches staff on time so that accidents like four seasons
do not take place (Law and et. al., 2011). This also aids in long term medical treatment of patient
and enhances the engagement of doctors and patients. The risk assessment reduces the mental
pressure and provides an environment which boost staff to perform as per the standards. The
patients also feel mentally stable as they receive everything which is desired and important for
them.
2.3 Dilemmas encountered in relation to implementing systems and policies for and safety
There are issues whenever changes are being implemented in any organisation which
have to be carefully addressed by managers. There are uncertainties which are encountered by
each and every organisation that is functioning in health and social care sector. These
uncertainties are also known as dilemmas which impact organisation and its employees
performance (Magnavita and Heponiemi, 2011). There are various factors which have impact
over the implementation of various decision which are being taken by St Margaret health care
homes. The dilemmas which are faced by the care homes are as follows:
Health and safety risk in supply chain: Every health care firm has some suppliers who are
responsible for providing qualitative products to them so that they can treat patients in a right
manner. But this is a dynamic force which can get impacted by polices of organisation such as
minimum pay for products. Also these are the third party suppliers who do not follow all the
health and safety measures stated by laws and legislation. This boost the chances infection or low
quality of services. This is why it is very important for St Margaret to ensure that all third parties
items are checked and at par with standards. For this they can establish a quality department
which approves the products.
Maintaining high technology: The health and social care organisations have to maintain high
level of technology as to provide enriched services to the patients. It is also important for
identifying diseases which can not be spotted by a doctor (McCaughey and et. al., 2013). Better
technology means that customers will be treated in a effective manner which means they will be
cured in a very short period of time. The changes in technology is coming at a very fast pace and
with time organisation also have to adopt them for providing a standardised services to
customers. Bust mostly they fail to do so due to lack of funding and other specified reasons.
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High level of corruption: There is high level of corruption in the health and social care sector.
This is due to the government and its agencies. The inspectors or officer are corrupt which leads
to additional pricing on health and social care services by organisation as to fulfil their margin.
Also these officers allow low grade products to be floated into market which impact the services
and health of people.
Public negligence: There are many activities which have to be performed by public as to support
health and social care organisation (Porter, 2010). When they fail to do so, the process of
implementation get hindered.
2.4 Effects of non-compliance with legislation on health and social care
There are certain impact on the organisation if they do not follow the legal laws as stated
by government to standardise services in health and social care organisation. These days it is
compulsory for organisations to follow all the rules so that they can get different benefits given
by government. There are certain effects of non-compliance of legislation on health and social
organisations:
Heavy fines are imposed: When health and social care organisation do not follow all the
standards and procedures as defined by law, then they are fined by court and government under
different sections of legislation. These fines are huge and impacts organisation financial viability
and feasibility.
Bound to fulfil certain terms: The court and government impose different responsibilities on
organisation to fulfil some social responsibility which is an added cost (Reeves and et. al., 2011).
The laws have special provision for firms violating them.
Government benefits: These organisations are barred from getting any special assistance from
government or any of its agencies. These days healthcare sector is supported by different funds
and this assist these organisations in achieving their desired level of functionality and quality of
services.
Services quality is degraded: When health and social care organisation do not follow the
standards and rules stated by legislation then the service quality offered is degraded. This is why
it is very important for them to use different laws as to provide high quality of services to
customers while also creating a sustainable environment inside organisation.
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TASK 3
3.1 Ways by which health and safety polices are monitored and reviewed
There are certain ways which are used by managers in health and social care
organisations to review and monitor different types of activities (Sheldon, 2011). As stated in the
case study of north Staffordshire combined healthcare NHS trust, health and safety policies and
procedures can be reviewed by undertaking certain activities:
Measuring health and safety performance: If a manager is unable to measure an activity than
he also can not manage them. Every action needs to be accessible and measurable for ensuring
right level of performance by the employees. The health and safety polices are implemented for
standardisation of services and creating right environment for everyone (Stringhini and et. al.,
2010). They will be measured by taking feedback and other type of survey from consumers and
employees as to ensure that they are implemented in a right manner and also they are providing
right environment to people.
Analysing active measures: There is requirement to analyse various active measurements which
are used as a basis to check viability of activities. They are as follows:
 Achieving desired goals and objectives.
 Enhancing operational capability of various systems
 Compliance with standards
 Inspections
 Surveillance Observation
Analysing reactive measures: These are the way to counter check all the measures and they are
more effective:
 Injuries
 Ill healthcare
 Damage to property
 Complaints Reports of hazards
Inspections: It is an activity where senior managers are appointed to overlook different types of
activities as to ensure that they are being managed in a proper manner or not. There are two types
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of inspection which can used, first is general and second is spot checking. Spot checking is
considered to be better as it provides better condition analysis to people.
3.2 The effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in work place
The health and safety policies are very important for medical organisation as they assist
them in designing a framework which is capable of catering to all types of needs and wants of
consumer. They have a positive impact on organisation and ensure that everyone is being treated
in a right manner (Weisfeld, 2011). They act as a basis which boost benefits to all stakeholders
and makes organisation go above the statement of earning profits. The effectiveness of policies is
analysed below:
Organisation and Responsibilities: In an organisation everyone is responsible for the duties
they are assigned with. They have to fulfil all the task which are associated with their work
profile. When all duties are completed by manager they assist in building up an environment
which is suitable for everyone. Positive surroundings are promotes and boost people to improve
their working.
Project design: The legal laws assist in making proper designs for health and social care
organisation (Reeves and et. al., 2011). They enable managers in identifying the best systems for
firm and ensure right amount of effectiveness in performance.
Miscellaneous procedures: There are different types of reporting which is done when an
organisation in health and social care starts following legislations and laws.
Safety risk assessment: Risk assessment assist managers and organisation in developing
infrastructure which reduces the risk for employees and patients.
Fire and emergency precautions: There are situations which takes place due to the negligence
of people and for reducing these occurrence the laws are implemented which effectively control
all the factors and assist in building up measures which can swiftly respond to problems.
These are few impacts which will take place in the organisation when they start following
all stated laws and legislations.
3.3 Own contribution to placing the health and safety needs of individuals
Every manager contributes to the organisation development and growth in his own
manner. They need to put every efforts in a direction that adds to the health and safety at the
center of all practices as well as I have certain contribution to the overall system of St Margaret
health care homes (World Health Organization, 2014). There are certain polices which I
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identified as being the center, such as use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited and also non
smoking policies. There were more types of procedures and rules which were mentioned that I
used as a basis to act and lead whole safety environment of organisation. I managed different
types of written procedures to ensure that they prevent any type of illness or injury to the staff
and ensure a right environment for the people of organisation. Also I conducted risk assessment
which assisted organisation in identifying potential factors which can become threat for
stakeholders. There are certain corrective measures identified by me which will assist
organisation in taking right decision at right time.
CONCLUSION
Concluding whole report, we can say that health and safety is a very vital aspect of whole
health ans social industry operating in United Kingdom. This project assisted learner in
identifying the importance of various legislation, practices and also measures which can boost
organisation capabilities and operations to a new level. It is important for maintaining and
enhancing quality of services provided to users. The laws enacted by government ensured that all
the organisation offering services in health and social care provide standardised services which
benefits customers and promotes better health for people.
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REFERENCES
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Cooper, C.L. and Quick, J.C. eds., 2017. The Handbook of Stress and Health: A Guide to
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Detels, R., and et. al., 2011. Oxford textbook of public health. Oxford University Press.
Fox, S., 2011. The social life of health information, 2011. Washington, DC: Pew Internet &
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Hasson, H., 2010. Systematic evaluation of implementation fidelity of complex interventions in
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Insel, P., and et. al., 2011. Core concepts in health.
Kocher, R.P. and Adashi, E.Y., 2011. Hospital readmissions and the Affordable Care Act:
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Law, R., and et. al., 2011. Psychosocial safety climate as a lead indicator of workplace bullying
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Accident Analysis & Prevention. 43(5). pp.1782-1793.
Magnavita, N. and Heponiemi, T., 2011. Workplace violence against nursing students and
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McCaughey, D., and et. al., 2013. The negative effects of workplace injury and illness on
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Porter, M.E., 2010. What is value in health care?. New England Journal of Medicine. 363(26).
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