Health and Safety in the Health and Social Care Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide

This assignment explores the implementation of health and safety legislation in the healthcare workplace, focusing on the responsibilities of both healthcare providers and organizations. It examines the impact of health and safety requirements on service users and practitioners, including the role of risk assessment in care planning. The assignment also delves into the monitoring and review of health and safety policies, highlighting the importance of self-contribution in promoting a safe and secure environment for all.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKPLACE
Contents
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................................1
LO 1. IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION IN WORKPLACE...............................2
1.1 REVIEW THE SYSTEMS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES AS PER THE LEGISLATIVE
REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................................................................................................2
1.2 ASSESSING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKPLACE 3
1.3 HEALTH AND SAFETY PRIORITIES FOR A SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SETTINGS.....4
LO 2. WAYS IN WHICH HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IMPACT THE CUSTOMERS AND
PRACTITIONERS.........................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 INFORMATION FROM RISK ASSESSMENT INFORMS CARE PLANNING FOR THE INDIVIDUALS.5
2.2 IMPACT OF ONE ASPECT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY ON THE SERVICE USERS AND
HEALTHCARE PRACTICE.....................................................................................................................................6
2.3 ADDRESSING DILEMMAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE IMPLEMENTING HEALTH AND SAFETY
POLICIES...................................................................................................................................................................7
2.4 EFFECTS OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES..........................................8
LO 3. MONITORING AND REVIEWING OF HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE HEALTH CARE WORKPLACE
.........................................................................................................................................................................................9
3.1 MONITORING AND REVIEWING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES.............................................9
3.2 EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES IN THE WORKPLACE..................................10
3.3 SELF CONTRIBUTION IN PLACING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS
AT THE WORKPLACE..........................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
Health and safety of the patients, is now a major concern and both the healthcare workers as well
as the hospital management is responsible for ensuring the safe healthcare for their patients as
well as their co-employees. There has been an increased surge in the recent years from all the
health care settings to improve their governance on their ongoing policies and systems so that the
safety for the service users is intact. For achieving these standards, it is necessary that all the
employees are aware about their job responsibilities and are meeting the pre-set expectations.
This assignment deals with the appropriate health care policies, legislative procedures and
practicing standards that are in execution for promoting such safety aspects of the patients.
Along with this, the assignment throws light on the importance of implementing safe and secured
healthcare policies where its impact on the future nursing and patient satisfaction has all been
discussed in detail. Such safe and secured policies promote the organizational framework and
values the healthcare practices that are being practiced for user welfare.
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LO 1. IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION IN
WORKPLACE
1.1 REVIEW THE SYSTEMS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES AS PER THE
LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Health has been one of the primary concerns for the human beings and therefore there are several
laws in place for promoting the safety of the patients while any service user seeks health care at
the hospital or primary healthcare center. These laws are applicable for all the staff members,
managerial staff, patients and those who are directly or indirectly associated with the healthcare
of the patient. The Health and Safety Act 1974 covers various health-related issues for promoting
the well-being and patient welfare. This act also presents an obligation where the employees
must act pro-actively to care about the health and well-being of their co-employees and patients.
According to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Act, 1992, the new
director of the organization should have carried out a risk assessment for identifying the findings
which will be a reason for the increase in the total number of falls in the Winchester and
Eastleigh NHS Trust (Blais, 2015). Carrying out the risk assessment would help to take requisite
measures for curtailing the effects of those findings which contribute towards the maximum falls.
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The requisite measures would include the introduction of dry mopping technique for floor
cleaning which contains micro-fibers that can reduce the amount of leftover fluid on the floor
after the floor is being mopped. This would ultimately lessen the chances of trips and falls on the
floor for the patients as well as the support staff. This would also guide the staff to set up clear
working instructions towards those patients who are admitted to the emergency ward at the
hospital. With the help of the risk assessment, the hospital management would be able to identify
the trend and the area which contributes to the maximum number of falls within the hospital.
Along with this, the ward should have been equipped with the essential first aid amenities so as
to manage the emergency needs and unexpected trips. This is in accordance with the Health and
Safety Regulations Act, 1981.
1.2 ASSESSING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
WORKPLACE
There exists several and different responsibilities for every individual who is working within the
organization so as to ensure that the health of the service users is not jeopardized at any cost.
This would include performing their assigned task with the correct ability and expected protocols
so that their work does not interfere with the health and safety of any individual. For this, the
management also plays a major role in introducing, amending and implementing the applicable
healthcare policies. Along with this, it is the duty of the management to ensure that these
healthcare policies are being implemented strictly by the healthcare users, staff and other
members within the organization. Such measures ensure that health is the first priority for an
individual and henceforth it becomes a habit for the staff to practice it in their daily routine.
Further, the management is responsible for recording the accidents that have occurred on the
floor and do a root-cause analysis so that the common findings can be discussed in those
accidents. This would help them to know the pattern which can then be prevented by testing an
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alternative method (Carayon, 2016). For example, the cleaning staff should be instructed to mop
the hospital floor only during those hours when there is the least movement and off-peak hours
of the day so that there is no daily check-up going on. Along with this, they should also make it a
practice to mop the floor in segments so that while mopping is being done in half the floor area
the other area is available for regular work (Debono, et al. 2013). The employees have the duty
of warning the patients about such findings and ask all of them to be cautious while walking.
There should also be an indication of ‘wet floor’ in the hospital wards which can caution the
patients and the staff while they are moving around on the floor for inspection or patient check-
up. There should also be an active involvement of the staff to educate their fellow colleagues
while they are in their shift so that they can prevent any further similar incidences.
1.3 HEALTH AND SAFETY PRIORITIES FOR A SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
SETTINGS
The following section is an understanding of the health and safety priorities that are chosen in the
provided case scenario. The chosen section of the population is the elderly individuals who form
a majority population within the hospital and are also more prone towards such trips and falls.
The health and safety rules and regulations are specific for any workplace but they must also be
appropriate for promoting the health and well-being of the elderly population. The organization
must also ensure that the behaviour and contribution of the elderly individuals towards the
betterment of their health is understood (Burwell, 2015). There should also be a discrete analysis
of their individuals requirements and after this has been identified, the customized treatment plan
must be formulated which will include and maintain the safety of such patients on all possible
aspects. Further the treatment plan devised must match with the safety standards required and the
individual must also be able to co-operate in ensuring the safety precautions. This would build a
healthcare organization that is sheltered for everyone and simultaneously will also create a
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positive environment that can motivate the other reforms. The geriatric patients in the healthcare
organization must also be taught to refrain doing things that are risky for their age groups and
according to their physical ability. Such activities would include walking without any walking
aid or canes, excessive physical activity, etc. Such individuals should always be advised to walk
with their foot being placed steadily which can prevent any falls. If required, the patients should
call out for immediate assistance and a healthcare worker must continuously inspect the activities
of the geriatric patients so that any emergency can be duly attended.
LO 2. WAYS IN WHICH HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IMPACT
THE CUSTOMERS AND PRACTITIONERS
2.1 INFORMATION FROM RISK ASSESSMENT INFORMS CARE PLANNING FOR THE
INDIVIDUALS
Risk assessment within any organization helps the users and the healthcare staff to enjoy the
safety policies. This is also in accordance with the regulatory laws and is helpful in analyzing the
impact of the present risk factors compared to the provided safety precautions. Such assessment
can help the employees and the service users within the organization to identify and
acknowledge the existing risk conditions and thereby avoid any unnecessary harm that can occur
due to the involvement of those risk factors (Anderson, et al. 2013). I believe that the risk
assessment within the organization will help to realize the potential factors that can harm the
safety of the service users and will act as the milestones that can enable them to initiate the steps
for eliminating such risks. The Health and Safety Act, 1974 includes the mandatory parameters
for the organization to display the essential risk assessment for the individuals and the service
users. There is an attempt to reduce or eliminate the effect of those risk factors in the working
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agenda of the Trusts. Therefore in the provided case scenario, there should be a risk assessment
conducted for identifying the harmful factors for the obese population so as to highlight the
factors that are associated while they are walking (Chartier, 2014). This will enable the Trust to
know the influence of falls and injury associated in case of any imbalance while the patient
moves by himself for check-ups or treatment. Such patients must, therefore, be assisted with the
introduction of a vehicle that is brought to meet their locomotors needs.
2.2 IMPACT OF ONE ASPECT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY ON THE SERVICE
USERS AND HEALTHCARE PRACTICE
The policies that are in place for handling and lifting the obese individuals within the Trust has a
distinct impact on the users as well as the healthcare practice. There are significant developments
that take place in light of these policies within the healthcare settings and these policies are
helpful in the development and implementation of the effective policies, practices, and
procedures which can be helpful in aligning with a successful working model. This would also
enable the service users to be more cautious towards their individual health and would encourage
them to gather the required information towards their safety. On the other hand, this would
necessitate the formulation of exhaustive training sessions and learning modules which will help
to develop the healthcare worker’s abilities for safe patient handling (Grol, et al. 2013). As an
example, in the provided case study, this would lead to the implementation and provision of the
necessary equipment that can help to relieve the pain, sufferings, and concerns along with the
establishment of specialized ambulatory services that can help the staff to access the inaccessible
areas of the hospital. This would be especially helpful while carrying or moving the obese
individuals from one zone of the hospital to the other zone for their health-related issues. This
would ensure safe and secured patient transport and avoid any associated falls that may promote
the traumatic injury while patient handling. The Health and Safety Patient Policy would also
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include the additional training programs which can enable the healthcare staff to refine their
abilities and improve their skills by expanding their knowledge and clinical experience
(Kushniruk, et al. 2013).
2.3 ADDRESSING DILEMMAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE IMPLEMENTING HEALTH
AND SAFETY POLICIES
The healthcare workers often encounter several safety dilemmas while treating a patient in the
healthcare settings. Such healthcare dilemmas must be addressed for the development of their
skills and personality. Such dilemmas can include the usage of a particular equipment if a patient
does not respond to its use, positively along with the inconsiderable progress of the individuals
with the continuous use of any treatment or medicine. The healthcare workers often face
concerns and are unable to decide whether the use of treatment/medicine is used for the patient
or not. There are also situations where the mindset or perception of the patient is different from
the healthcare provider and the patients are often found not to co-operate well with the healthcare
provider in terms of taking the medicine on time, following the listed set of precautions, taking
the necessary health benefits by following a specified schedule, etc. In such cases, where the
patients have a different mindset and do not co-operate well, the healthcare provider is unable to
drive all the pre-set health benefits out of the situation and the medical treatment (Kitson, et al.
2013). Therefore, the situation results in a dilemma where the staff needs to decide whether to
treat every patient equally without any bias or they should modify their own thinking ability and
behaviour so as to suit the individual demands of the patient for improved recovery. There are
also situations where the staff is unable to administer the prescribed medicines to the patient due
to lack of availability of the drug. Such situations require active measures taken from the end of
the healthcare provider or health nurse so that the patient can receive the best substitute for the
drug. As per the provided case scenario, the healthcare provider will face a safety dilemma while
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commuting the patient within the organization for their health needs without any assistance from
the ambulatory machines. Such situations require the identification of safety priorities by the
stakeholders of the organization which will help to improve the existing safety policies.
2.4 EFFECTS OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES
There exist grave consequences for not complying with the health and safety policies of the
organization which have been introduced by the government and are in use by the healthcare
organizations. The healthcare and safety policies are introduced by the government with an
intention to improve the safety of everyone and patient care. The effects of non-compliance can
either be legal, financial or human in nature. The provided case scenario suggests that about 40-
70% of the healthcare organizations do not have the provision of the bariatric policy, however,
this policy is extremely important to reduce the risks that are associated while the patients are
being manually handled. These policies also take into account the risks that are associated with
the patient movement including the buildup of the organization and the transport vehicle. If the
healthcare policies are not being implemented in a proper way then there is a risk for patient
harm or injury along with a potential injury to the concerned health care provider (Middleton, et
al. 2013). There exists significant financial impact of such injuries where the owner of the
healthcare settings can have a lawsuit filed against this ignorance. The lawsuits can be filed by
the patient or their peers. Further, the ongoing legal proceedings will have a financial impact on
the healthcare provider and will cost them heavy dues. There is also a risk of loss of human lives
and therefore these issues are dealt with acute effects and immediate action. The healthcare
settings also have the threat of losing their license to practice healthcare as an aftereffect of such
negligence.
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LO 3. MONITORING AND REVIEWING OF HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE
HEALTH CARE WORKPLACE
3.1 MONITORING AND REVIEWING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES
The health and social care systems must review the health and safety practices while in effect for
improving their effects. It is essential that this is conducted at a regular interval for checking the
effectiveness of the policies because the rules and regulations may not be implemented at regular
intervals and during the modifications in the working culture. As per the provided case scenario,
the Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust has initiated a task which identifies and examines the risk that
is associated with the working of clinical departments in the healthcare settings. The surveillance
group internally audited the belongings and services of the hospital such as beds, chairs,
mattresses, trolleys, hoists, etc. As per the obtained reports, the services and the equipment were
not in a proper condition for being used in the hospital (Okuyama, et al. 2014). They were in
poor condition and had several compatibility issues. The team mentioned certain important
points such as the approximate cost that was invested on the dynamic mattresses was higher than
the actual worth and its usage also increased the risk of pressure ulcers amongst the service
users. The team then suggested the introduction of the certain modifications that were required
for the users to augment the safety concerns and facilitate the effective dealing of such services.
After a proper evaluation of the existing health policies and procedures, the implementation of
new methods and policies can be done. This requires extreme monitoring, evaluation, and review
of the existing policies and the identification of the gaps which needs to be bridged (Rohde, et al.
2014). With the help of these policies, the analyzing team is able to ascertain if every user and
the employee who is working within the organization are able to utilize the services to a proper
extent (Singh, et al. 2013).
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3.2 EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES IN THE WORKPLACE
The audits that are being conducted within the healthcare settings are an effective means of
promoting the safety culture that can help to monitor the organizational activities which are
related to promotion of the safety. The professional assessment in such audits will help to
analyze if the risks of the service users can be minimized with the input efforts. This would also
help them to identify the applicable risk factors that the patients and employees are facing when
their security is questioned. This was also initiated at the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare trust so
as to prevent any possible accidents and complications that the users might face. In turn, it will
help the users to be aware of the risk factors and implement the ways that can safeguard
themselves against those risk factors (Sallis, et al. 2015). The amendment of the existing policies
will help in the initiation of the safe practices that must be followed. The NHS Trust has also
identified the incidence of the high count of pressure ulcers due to continuous use of
uncomfortable mattresses and immediately modified them for reducing the incidence rate from
11% to 3%.
After the built up of these policies, the new training sessions are being planned for the working
employees of the healthcare settings so as to introduce new and better techniques that can
promote the safety and health for the service users. The training programs like this will help the
employees to work with the appropriate standards that are expected and also match with the
industry parameters (Schillie, et al. 2013). This should, therefore, be considered as essential and
a pro-active approach for their safety. This will help them to be equipped with the needed skills
and the required competencies that enable them to follow all their duties. The risk assessment
would, therefore, help them to lead the discussions with the formation of a regulated and proper
workplace which is safe and also promotes users’ well-being.
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3.3 SELF CONTRIBUTION IN PLACING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY NEEDS OF THE
INDIVIDUALS AT THE WORKPLACE
It is the combined duty of all the employees who work in the healthcare settings to promote the
safety of their co-employees as well as the service users. As per my individual experience, I have
contributed all my efforts at my workplace where I have made sincere efforts to improve the
health and safety of my patients and colleagues. I was working at the disabled homecare and
therefore the patients were differently abled and had several problems in performing the regular
activities and daily life tasks. This posed numerous health and safety concerns while the daily
activities are performed by those patients. Some of the examples of such incidences include
challenges while operating the provided medical equipment, use of wheelchairs, reclining beds,
water heaters, etc. At such instances, I have often assisted them by spending some extra time
with my patients where I have tried to assist with the proper and easy use of the different
machines and equipment (White, et al. 2016). I also try to ensure that sufficient practice sessions
are conducted after my training so that the patients are then able to handle the equipment and
machines all by themselves. This would reduce the risk to their health and safety and will also
promote independence in their individual lifestyle. During the other instances, the new
employees who start their career in this healthcare settings are found to struggle a lot while
giving clear instructions to the patients and the service users. I have also invested my spare time
for such employees and taken certain training sessions in which all the interested employees
were allowed to join and learn the new techniques. The new employees gradually got
accustomed to the use of all the equipment and were able to satisfactorily guide the patients
during their shift hours. This boosted their confidence at work and gave them the spirit of
working in this noble profession.
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CONCLUSION
For any service user, the health and safety is the primary necessity and the importance of
improved safety standards is becoming mandatory on a daily basis while providing the
healthcare services. Based on such requirements, the necessary modifications or changes must be
made in the healthcare policies so that safety for all users is promoted. The organization should
also conduct essential training and briefings so that the employees remember the importance of
one’s safety while providing them healthcare services. The risk assessment in any organization
would enable the management to figure out the pain zones that need to be worked upon for
bringing improvement in their existing policies and changing the working style. This is the
reason why a review of policies is necessary so as to regularly improvise the existing standards
of healthcare (Zimlichman, et al. 2013). The assignment discusses three different case studies
and highlights the importance of following the correct healthcare procedures which are safe and
properly channelized.
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