Evaluating Health and Safety in Health and Social Care Workplace

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of health and safety in health and social care workplaces, emphasizing the importance of safety in promoting dignity in care. It explores systems, policies, and procedures for communicating information, delineates responsibilities for managing health and safety within organizational structures, and analyzes health and safety priorities specific to health and social care settings. The report examines how risk assessments inform care planning and organizational decision-making, analyzes the impact of health and safety policies on practice and customers, and discusses addressing dilemmas in implementing health, safety, and security systems. It further analyzes the effects of non-compliance with health and safety legislation, explains how policies and practices are monitored and reviewed, assesses their effectiveness in promoting a positive safety culture, and evaluates individual contributions to prioritizing the health and safety needs of individuals. The report concludes by reinforcing the critical role of health and safety standards in ensuring quality care and legislative compliance.

Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................2
LO 1...................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Systems, Policies And Procedures For Communicating Information........................................3
1.2 Responsibilities For Management Of Health And Safety In Relation To Organisational
Structures......................................................................................................................................3
1.3 Analysis Of Health And Safety Priorities Appropriate For A Specific Health And Social Care
Workplace.....................................................................................................................................4
LO 2...................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Analyse how information from risk assessments informs care planning
and organisational decision making about policies and procedures.............................................5
2.2 Analyse the impact of one aspect of health and safety policy on Health and social care
practice and its customers.............................................................................................................5
2.3 Discuss how dilemmas are encountered in relation to implementing systems and policies for
health, safety and security may be addressed...............................................................................6
2.4 Analyse effect of non compliance with Health and safety legislation in health and social care
workplace......................................................................................................................................6
LO 3...................................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Explain how health and safety policies and practices are monitored and reviewed................8
3.2 Analyse the effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in the workplace in
promoting positive healthy and safe culture.................................................................................8
3.3 Evaluate own contributions to placing the health and safety needs of individuals at
the centre of practice....................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................12
1

INTRODUCTION
Practising safety in health and social care is very important in promoting dignity in care in
the healthcare and social services sector. When individuals are made to feel safe and cared
for there is a positive impact on the outcomes of all the procedures that are aimed for their
well being. That is the goal and care planning processes that are in line with the legislative
requirements provide guidance and education to institutions of health and social care to
ensure these health and safety standards. This assignment helps to understand the various
aspects of reinforcing the same at every level of the organisational structure.
2

LO 1
1.1 Systems, Policies And Procedures For Communicating Information.
The health and safety standards are bound by legislative policies and are very descriptive
about the framework and requirements for provision of services to protect people. The
policies include not just the safety standards for the individuals using the services but also
those providing the services and people involved behind the scenes(Hughes, 2011). The
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). and Care Quality Commission are responsible for keeping
the providers in check and they also are entitled to take legal actions if the standards are
not met or not adhered to. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the most legislative
act that was aimed to protect people from issues of health and safety at workplaces. Under
the act certain regulations regarding the health and safety are entailed that include
assessment of risk to health and safety of employees, clients and people in direct or passive
contact. The services and care homes are also bound by these regulations (2014). of the
Health and Social Care Act 2008 they include person-centred care approach, dignity and
respect for the individual, need for consent, safe care and treatment, safeguarding clients
from abuse or improper treatment, meeting nutritional and hydration needs, premises and
equipment, feedback and complaints action, requirements for the skills of the employees,
and their conduct to name a few. The CQC regulations also cover a wide range of quality
control standards to ensure only good quality services are given. That means the providers
must prevent the premises and equipment to be fit for use and must be available in
sufficient quantities in the time of need. Also the risk of infection or any risk or hazard must
be prevented and controlled. The staff must also be trained in assessing risks and carry out
necessary precautions to manage the situation. The First Aid Regulation 1981 ensures safety
of the individuals by training the staff of the use of first aid equipment ( O'Brien, 2009)..
Individuals are also protected from the neglect and improper treatment while receiving care
and treatment at the hands of the services providers which is considered to be deprivation
of Liberty under the terms of Mental Health Capacity 2005 and Human Rights 2017. All the
care organisations are mandated to document the procedures they follow and the policies
they apply to be able to track the process of monitoring the legislative requirements. The
review of the policies and procedures can be done by assessment of the care planning and
whether they are focused on the needs of clients. The risk assessment is the counter-
analysis of the delivery of the services and identifies the risks only to prevent them.
1.2 Responsibilities For Management Of Health And Safety In Relation To Organisational
Structures.
The Health and social care workplace is divided into different levels of organisations to ease
the functioning of the collaboration. As each stratum is dedicated to a particular function
that must be carried out and there is an efficient division of efforts based on skill set and
3

resources. The responsibilities are shared in a likewise fashion and based on the
qualifications, competence, skills, experience and expertise to keep people safe (Black,
2011).. To achieve the requirements of the regulations the staff must be trained
appropriately along with support and supervision that is necessary for them to carry out
their roles. They should be encouraged to enhance their knowledge and skill set to enhance
the quality of service while keeping safety standards intact. The staff must have a systematic
approach to meet the needs of individuals and also keep them safe at all times. They must
also be adaptable to learn new skills and must be kept updated to the newer approaches.
The emergency protocol must be established and a contingency plan must be planted in the
training of the providers in cases of emergency. The staffs are responsible for establishing a
communication channel with the clients to customise the services according to their needs
and ensure optimum utilisation of the resources (Barry, 2012).. This helps in building the
foundations of trust and faith in the system by being open and transparent with the users.
The providers must be optimistic, enthusiastic and motivated to help patients in need and
must follow self-regulatory practices. This helps in better execution of assessments and
safety protocols.
1.3 Analysis Of Health And Safety Priorities Appropriate For A Specific Health And Social
Care Workplace.
The partnership between the Health and social care sector is successful in providing good
quality services to the people when they share the same values and follow a common goal
(Reeves, 2011). This helps focus their time and resources wisely making outcomes more
productive. As the two sectors share common goals for the progress of the partnership,
sharing health and safety priorities helps ensure the safety of its employees and clients. The
employees must be trained and qualified in delivering these services as a priority measure
to ensure health and safety measures are taken (Stirton, 2017). The care facility premises
must be clean and free from agents that can serve as focal points of the spread of infection.
This helps prevention of a potential biological hazard and compromise the Health of the
individuals. Thus all of the waste – human waste, sewer, bandages, unused medicines etc
must be thrown out following the methods of medical waste disposal system using colour
coded bags. The premises must also be protected from a fire hazard and a fire safety drill
along with first aid knowledge must be given to the employees to prepare them for
emergencies like these. There are potential risks inherent in the provision of Health and
Social care services that may arise during care and treatment but the service providers must
strive to combat these challenges. The needs for health and safety of the users must be put
at the heart of every procedure that runs in the care services and all notifications must be
produced to the CQC.
4

LO 2.
2.1 Analyse how information from risk assessments informs care planning
and organisational decision making about policies and procedures
To ensure health and safety in health and social care workplace the challenges that interfere
with the provision of good quality services must be resolved. Risk assessment plays a huge
role in the same endeavour as it takes account of risks posed to the safety of clients, users
and/or people who interact with these two. The users are particularly at risk and criteria like
age, sex, background, habits, state of illness, level of dependence etc. The providers are at
risk based on the exposure to the users, unforeseeable hazards, lack of competent skills or
training, poor management, poor judgment etc. The risk assessment this provides safety
boundaries for the organization by influencing the policies and procedures of the care
planning and services. The risk assessment procedure involves –
1. Risk Identification
2. Identifying the risk target
3. Evaluate risks and devise precautions
4. Implementation
5. Review of the assessment
The identification of the problem leads to solution making, likewise identifying the risk held
formation of management strategies and policies (Bennett, 2010). The impact of the risks
must also be weighed so as to target the individuals at risk- the users, the providers or the
people in the vicinity. The evaluation of the extent of risk and its consequences must be
done and a precautionary protocol must be established. This protocol causes the primary
prevention even before the exposure to the risk and aims at protecting the individuals from
the same. The detailed analysis of the above points are then documented and checked with
the CQC authorities who are later cross-checked as the review of the applied approaches.
These approaches they are reinforced time and again to ensure health and safety of the
individuals.
2.2 Analyse the impact of one aspect of health and safety policy on Health and social care
practice and its customers.
The health and safety policies have introduced a wide range of factors such surveillance,
standardization of each element involved in the service provision and imparting a structure
to the health and social care organizations. These key points are neglected the health and
social care system suffers from poor performance and is less likely to manage risks and they
are more prone to the negative setbacks caused by the risks. Such systems often are such
5

because of the provider’s all-embracing governance which often puts safety at the backseat
while care planning and execution (Marmot, 2012). It progresses to form a new work
culture that is devoid of importance for safety. By July 2017, 5% of acute hospitals core
services, including 2% of adult social care and 2% of GP practices were rated as unsafe. After
THE intervention and reinforcement of the policies by the CQC, the quality of health and
safety has improved. The overall ratings have improved and show minor but consistently
positive results (CQC report 2017). The regulations for person-centred care practice have
been efficient in providing seamless care to the complex need of users. It is in the GP clinics
and care homes where the turnout has improved and users have reported better quality
services are provided. The providers have undergone rigorous training to develop the skills
for the same the ripple effect will be seen as in future the process of incoming staff and
users will be benefited by the existing structure and practice.
2.3 Discuss how dilemmas are encountered in relation to implementing systems and
policies for health, safety and security may be addressed
While the implementation of the health and safety policies is seen as beneficial the reality
brings in with certain practical challenges and ethical dilemmas. The ethical principles
include accountability, and the respect and dignity, and the Impartiality, beneficence,
autonomy and justice. The dissonance in the safety practices and these principles pose a
dichotomy as the care of the individual is a common goal. Manual Handling Operations
Regulations 1992 is a major issue posing such a dilemma as individuals with mobility
challenges need to be assisted and provided with aids. But it is very important to respect the
dignity of the individual and the aid in no way must hamper the autonomy and privacy of
the individual. For example, the County Council has prohibited the manual lifting of the
people using services as they experienced feelings of shame and compromised dignity. The
downside of such a practise had a detrimental effect on the service providers too. But the
failure of using manual lifting also helps to meant not lifting the individuals from beds or
toilet facilities leaving them stuck. In such a case, the restricted services pose a problem
dilemma and the distinction between the correct and necessary approach against the
breach in the dignity rights of an individual (Marmot, 2012). Thus health and safety policies
must be devised in the health and social care homes according to the needs of the user t the
same time ethical principles need to be kept in mind.
2.4 Analyse effect of non compliance with Health and safety legislation in health and
social care workplace
The provision of nothing but high quality services should always be the aim of the Health
and Social Care Organisations. However certain practices derail the course of the
implementation of the policies from this main aim. The consistency of the quality care is
only ensured when the practices adhere to the policy regulations and devise a framework
6

incorporating the same. There are variations seen in the care people are experiencing such
as medication errors, uncovered radiators, and use of red bails. The issues with the medical
documentation are a direct result of failure of keeping proper documentation as per Health
and Safety Act 1974 (Lèfstedt, 2011). The dosages, strength and frequency must be
confirmed with provided documentation and must accurately recorded. For people suffering
from Dementia, according to Mental Health Act 1983 the drugs must be accompanied with a
carrier agent and not directly. Also in such cases, individuals suffering from disorientation
must be protected from potentially dangerous equipment and in care homes hot radiators
are advised to be covered up. Instances of failure to do so ended up in burn injuries and
accidents. The staff training is also a huge part of teaching required skills to ensure full
patient support and care. For example, the staff must be trained to use the utility straps and
posture belts. If a person needs to use the mobility aid and the staff is unable to understand
the working of the aid and how to use the posture belts it may result in an undesirable
injury. A care home must also have a risk assessment system to ensure the evaluation and
management of risks and in case of non compliance to do so, the safety of individuals is put
at risk (Care Standards Act 2000). Hence the policies must be adhered to avoid unnecessary
and undesirable outcomes.
7

LO 3
3.1 Explain how health and safety policies and practices are monitored and reviewed.
The surveillance of the Health and safety policies is important as the Health and Social care
organizations need to monitor the effect of the services. The feedback for services is taken
and review of the procedures and practices is made based on it. The consistent re-
evaluation helps maintain good quality services to one and all. The compliance of the
practices may also be checked as the detailed information of the services provided to
individuals is also documented. The CQC is responsible for the collection of the data and
using it for inspection and quality control purposes(Care Quality Commission, 2015).. The
providers usually use a self-analysis system for monitoring their own performances and send
out the reports to the CQC as a requirement of displaying performance assets. They
evaluate not just the services but also the staff skills, user experiences, risk assessments and
a unit that aids the collaboration for the Health and Social Care organizations. The goal is to
reduce the number of mishaps or damages to property or individuals, manage situations of
risks and handle user feedback responses. The organization when runs such monitoring
surveys the approaches of the practices are analyzed and the outcomes are measured. This
helps to evaluate the delivery and reception of the services and what customizations must
be made in order to make the individuals feel more inclusive.( Barry, 2012). The standards of
safety are checked routinely and maintenance is done thereby updating the equipment. The
inspection by the CQC and Health and Safety Executive (HSE). check whether the Health and
Safety regulations are met through thorough checking. CQC holds the legislative authority to
take a regulatory action if any breach on the part of a regulation leads to harm of the
individual.( Care, R. NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines 2015.). They are also liable to refuse
registration of the provider refuses to comply with the regulations.
3.2 Analyse the effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in the workplace
in promoting positive healthy and safe culture
After the monitoring and feedback evaluation, the effectiveness of the strategies is
analyzed. The aim of the health and social care services is to provide services to the people
and ensure better health and safety. To ensure the effectiveness the staff must be trained
and experienced in the area of their services and also ensure health and safety measures
are taken as a priority. The training of the staff and volunteers under the supervision of an
experienced professional help them gather the required knowledge for efficiently carrying
out the services. The staff must be numbered and must have a zero-tolerance approach to
mistreatment, abuse, and restraint. That attitude helps in maintaining safeguarding
boundaries and prevents degrading treatment of the individuals. The effective services are
the ones where the user is treated as the centre of care and there is respect for the dignity
of life(Nelson, 2007). The responsibilities are shared along the health and social care
organizations and there is the best possible utilization of the resources. The resources and
risks are assessed before forming the care planning strategies and the safety priorities of the
8

employees and customers are treated equally. The risk management systems ensure that
even if negative outcomes are encountered they will be resolved. These measures help
ensure the effectiveness of the services and promote a healthy and safe work environment.
3.3 Evaluate own contributions to placing the health and safety needs of individuals at
the centre of practice.
In my institution, my role requires dynamic utilization of my skills as a service provider to
day-care users. Most of the individuals are geriatric patients who have been suffering from
chronic conditions and have mobility dependence. My approach has always been to keep
my practice person oriented and never let them feel they have to compromise on their
dignity or privacy due to availing of the facilities. Empowering them by constantly
motivating them and maintaining a healthy communication helps the delivery of quality
services to these individuals. Due to the dependence on mobility aids the functions of utility
straps and posture belts are important as they help ensure their safety and prevent them
from falling off the chair. The policy of Manual Handling of Individuals is devised as per the
needs of the individual, and it is done with proper consent and when they feel the need to
be manually lifted only then I comply with the requests. The appointment and charting of
the medications consumed by the users are done by me and with great care and attention,
the details are recorded. A regular feedback is conducted to ensure the services are
conducted effectively and then reviewing the care planning is done.
9

CONCLUSION
The health and safety measure is a very important and integral part of the health and social
care workplaces. The clients must be made to feel safe, sheltered are cared for. This can be
achieved by adhering to the policies and practices by the legislative institutions.
Understanding the risks associated with the provision of services helps to update the health
and safety norms thus making it more and more effective over the period of time.
10

11

REFERENCES
Bennett, P(Ed.).(2010).. Risk communication and public health. Oxford University Press.
Black, A. D., Car, J., Pagliari, C., Anandan, C., Cresswell, K., Bokun, T., ... & Sheikh, A(2011).. The
impact of eHealth on the quality and safety of health care: a systematic overview. PLoS
medicine, 8(1)., e1000387.
Barry, M. J., & Edgman-Levitan, S(2012).. Shared decision making—the pinnacle of patient-centred
care. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(9)., 780-781.
Care Quality Commission(2015).. Regulation 13: Safeguarding service users from abuse and
improper treatment.
Care, R. NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines 2015.
Hughes, P., & Ferrett, E(2011).. Introduction to health and safety at work. Routledge.
Lèfstedt, R(2011).. Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety
legislation (Vol. 8219).. The Stationery Office.
Marmot, M., Allen, J., Bell, R., Bloomer, E., & Goldblatt, P(2012).. WHO European review of social
determinants of health and the health divide. The Lancet, 380(9846)., 1011-1029.
Nelson, A. L., Collins, J., Knibbe, H., Cookson, K., De Castro, A. B., & Whipple, K. L(2007).. Safer
patient handling. Nursing management, 38(3)., 26-32.
O'Brien, V(2009).. Controlling the process: legislation and guidance regulating the decontamination of
medical devices. Journal of perioperative practice, 19(12)., 428-432.
Reeves, S., Lewin, S., Espin, S., & Zwarenstein, M(2011).. Interprofessional teamwork for health and
social care (Vol. 8).. John Wiley & Sons.
Stirton, R(2017).. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (regulated activities). regulations 2014: a
litany of fundamental flaws?. The Modern Law Review, 80(2)., 299-324.
Viscusi, W. K(1981).. Occupational safety and health regulation: Its impact and policy
alternatives. Research in public policy analysis and management, 2, 281-299.
12