Health and Safety: Risk Assessment, Policies, and Compliance Report

This report delves into the critical aspects of health and safety within healthcare and social care environments. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of managing health and safety, particularly within the National Health Services (NHS) context. The report then examines risk assess...Read More

Health and safety

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Covered in poster.........................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
2.1 Risk assessment planning......................................................................................................1
2.2 Impact of health and safety policies......................................................................................2
2.3 Dilemmas encountering in relation to implementing system and policies for health............3
2.4 Effect of non-compliances of health and safety legislation...................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Monitoring and reviewing health and safety practices..........................................................4
3.2 Analysing effectiveness of health and safety policies...........................................................4
3.3 Evaluating own contribution..................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
In current scenario, managing health and safety is little difficult if it is compare with any
other aspect of business. There are many people who depend upon some care services to remain
fit. The aim of present course is that how employees will protect themselves and others from
harm (Wang and et. al., 2011). In National Health Services, there is around 1.5 million
employees who are working. The employees are belonging from different organisations such as
private, public or local authorities. These organisations are providing treatments to patients with
the help of using high technology. In present report, different scenario has been taken to properly
understand how safety legislation can be implemented in health and social care organisation.
Along with this, their impact on customers, work of practitioners has been discussed. Further,
effectiveness of health and safety policies has been monitored in promoting health and safety
culture.
TASK 1
Covered in poster
TASK 2
2.1 Risk assessment planning
In social care homes, bariatric patients are having their own set of needs. In care home,
professionals are requiring to increase the awareness about their needs. The manager has to
properly do planning regarding risk assessment which are considered in handling experience of
bariatric patients (Badri, Gbodossou and Nadeau, 2012). For this, they have to collect
information for analysing risk assessment. The information which has been collect through risk
assessment will be beneficial for service user. It is responsibility of higher authorities to clearly
find out that what kind of risk are associated with activities or task which are performing by
employees. Along with this they have to make new plans and strategies so that risk can be
minimising. This project helps in identifying and exploring manual handling for bariatric patient
by mapping the pathways for emergency admission. They can identify the risk by;
 Reviewing public statistics health in order to provide estimate of bariatric patients.
 For any risk management contingency, authority have to take some specific case studies
into their consideration which are helpful for them.
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But it has been found that, there are many trust who did not implement any bariatric
policy (RR573 - Risk assessment and process planning for bariatric patient handling pathways,
2017). These policies are essential to implement because, it can lead to process planning,
management of manual handling of risk which include communication with organisation,
provision of appropriate equipment and many more. Risk planning should be done on continuous
basis which reduce those factors also which are affecting organisation rules and policies. In this
it should involve all appropriate strategies and plans to deal with pitfalls which can be face by
organisation in future. Here are some following steps of risk assessment in order to eliminate the
hazard factors.
 Firstly, identify the pitfalls or hazardous which will harm to patients.
 Now, identify that, to whom these hazardous will harm and how.
 Analyse risk and decide what precaution can be taken in order to manage the risk.
 Now, make a record of findings of implementing risk policies.
 Lastly, manager have to review risk assessment whether they have eliminated the risk or
not.
To carry risk assessment on regular basis it will give advantage to organisation only to
determine those factors which are causing harm to employees. Along with this proper action will
also be taken in time period.
2.2 Impact of health and safety policies
Some organisation is not paying attention to protection their workforce on priority. The
policies which has been framed by National Health services have to be properly implemented by
organisation (Branas and et. al., 2011). Here are some policies which has given both positive or
negative on the objective of organisation.
Health and safety Regulation 1992 – In this act, employers have to carry out risk
assessment of workstation which were used by employees in order to reduce or identify any risk.
They have to analysed these risk on regular basis to take appropriate actions. The awareness
about risk assessment should be there so that training can also be provided. Along with this,
equipment’s which has been used in organisation, have also to provide proper training to
employers. It gives both negative and positive impact on organisation (Cooper, Coulson and
Taylor, 2011). The positive impact is that; the employers will come to know about how new
equipment’s will be used. Whereas negative impact is; it wastes the time of organisation in
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conducting training session. For example, in NHS it is responsibility of employer to protect the
rights of employees. To defend their rights, it is essential for them to conduct training so that
employees come to know about how to use the equipment’s.
Lifting operation and equipment regulation 1998 – This act, applies to lifting
equipment’s and builds the requirements of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
(PUWER). This regulation set out duties of people and higher authority which are operating and
controlling over lifting equipment. Equipment cover cranes, slings, shackles etc. In given case
scenario, these provision are not properly implemented and it causes harm to patients. If proper
equipment’s are not used by employees, then it may cause harm to patients. So, it become major
responsibility of higher authorities to use that equipment’s which does not cause harm to
patients.
Health and safety at work act 1974 – As this act set the responsibility of employers
regarding duty of care. It clearly states out that how staff will provide services to customers and
what equipment’s will be used by them. So, positive impact of this regulation is that nurses or
doctors will provide legal and ethical services to patients. But negative impact is that sometime it
become barrier for them to regular compile with them.
2.3 Dilemmas encountering in relation to implementing system and policies for health
In organisation, ethical dilemmas are arising when any issues or pitfalls are not resolved
by higher authority. Ethical dilemmas are nor easily resolved by higher authority, because they
also don’t know what is the actual problem which are facing by patients. There are many
dilemmas which are facing by organisation such as; implication of policies, providing services
on priorities basis and many more (Dėjus and Antuchevičienė, 2013). In given scenario, it is
responsibility of higher authority to maintain good communication with services users and to
manage all the risk which are associated with that. Sometimes, if there is good communication it
become difficult to manage all the provision of using proper equipment and maintain dignity,
comfort for patients.
There are some ethical dilemmas which can be face by organisation. In this they have to
make appropriate strategies and plans in order to provide better services to customers. Along
with they have to use that equipment’s which reduce the danger activity from workplace and
provide training to employees according to their capabilities.
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Cost benefit analysis is another ethical dilemma. This is systematic approach which
estimate about strength and weaknesses of alternation actions. It is used when, service providers
have to determining alternative option to serve quality of services. Ethical dilemma states that
what is right and what is wrong while people are doing any activity. For example, if employees
are executing any activity then they should know about that what is right and what is wrong in
that. While doing this it will not give harm to anyone.
In social care homes, ethical dilemma is also related with human rights (Granerud and
Rocha, 2011). In this, there are many users who are facing pitfalls because service providers who
are respecting their values. For example, if there is any disabled person and doctors are not able
to understand their behaviour, then it became problems for them. Along with this, manager has
responsibility to maintain sheet of reporting of injury, diseases and dangerous occurrence
regulation 2013.
2.4 Effect of non-compliances of health and safety legislation
The effect of non-compliance of health and safety legislation in organisation are giving
both negative and positive impact. It is their responsibility to follow all rules and regulations
which are framed by NHS and ensure about that they are providing legal services to patients.
Thorough this, expectation of patients will become more strong that they are providing high
quality of services. But sometimes, it become difficult for trust to conduct training programme
for new or existing employees (Hohnen and Hasle, 2011). Another reason of non-compliance is
human factor. If in organisation, work load is not divided among the employees, then it will
demotivate to workers and best possible outcome of results will not also achieved. Here are some
following impact of non-compliance on trust:
Moral impact – There are many patients who are suffering from bariatric problems and
service providers are not providing them better treatment. Even if, there is all equipment are
available at work place. Regarding this, employers are not implementing appropriate policies and
this creating problem for patients. While not coping with morale of employees, then it
demotivates them and it ultimately affect to organisation aims and objectives. It is responsibility
of employer to use proper equipment’s which eliminate hazardous from workplace.
Physical impact – If there is a lack of security at work place and hampers the life of
patients, then it will also directly impact on organisation image (Schulte and et. al., 2012). Act
regarding securities, should be properly implemented whether it is related with equipment or
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safety of patients. In NHS, higher authority has to provide high class security to patients. Apart
from this, provide training according to needs of employees whenever they required so that they
can serve best quality of services to patients.
However, if proper rules and regulation are complying by the NHS, then it may difficult
for them to serve best quality of services. Along with this, it will also show that lack of
confidence is there between employees because they are not providing proper facilities to
patients.
TASK 3
3.1 Monitoring and reviewing health and safety practices
In Surrey and Sussex healthcare trust, it is essential to monitor and review health and
safety practices which are implemented by higher authority. The manager should have entire
knowledge about different regulations which is related with health and safety. For example, Risk
assessment act, health and safety work act 1974 etc. In cited care home, monitoring of practices
can be done in following manner.
Care planning – The planning which has been made by higher authority must be done
according to the needs of patients (McCall, 2011). It also ensures about that whether appropriate
strategies have been made or not.
Own practices – In this, the whatever equipment were used by care home regarding
electronic profiling beds should be appropriate used. The advisor of Senior Back Care has
examined risk which are associated with equipment.
Conducting auditing – In given scenario, group has conduct the audit, in which have
found so many problems such as; condition of equipment was poor, rental cost for dynamic
mattresses are overspent between £15,000-20,000 in a month. Through this, higher authority can
monitor the funds that how much these resources are utilised and in what manner.
On review of those activities which are performing employers, will also increase the
awareness about more health and safety procedures which can be implement by organisation
(Reese, 2015). Moreover, with the help of observations, gathering information, top management
authority can review activities.
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3.2 Analysing effectiveness of health and safety policies
The effectiveness of health and safety policies will help to organisation in making their
sturdy position. The experience people have to share their views with unexperienced people
which will aid them to eliminate risk at work place. To the analyse effectiveness of health and
safety policies can also take feedback from users (Ross and et. al., 2012). If positive feedbacks
are received from service users, then it shows that patients are happy with their services. The
following are effectiveness of health and safety policies which can be analyse by higher authority
on regular basis also.
Effective communication – It is essential at work place to make strong communication
with users. Through this, they can share their problems in effective manner also. If their
problems are resolved in time period, then they positive feedbacks will be receive from them.
Active participation of employees – If higher authority is conducting any programme,
then there should be actively participation of all employees. In Surrey and Sussex healthcare
NHS trust, all employees are participating in activities which will increase their knowledge and
skills.
Staff confident – Once, the employers start using new equipment and get confident then
they can provide high quality of services to customers. It will become easy for them to provide
proper treatment in time period (Salvendy, 2012). Through this, they will also follow all rules
and procedures in adequate manner which has been farmed by organisation. The employees will
also get right regarding wages and speak if any discrimination has taken place.
3.3 Evaluating own contribution
In cited care homes, the employees as well as have to do evaluation of activities which
are performing by us. I have made some contribution and performed my responsibilities in
proper manner. While analysing my contribution, it will help me to identify my skills. I have to
make sure that whatever activities which I am performing in organisation should be done in
appropriate manner. Along with this, the manager has to comply with all rules and regulation
which has been implemented by NHS in order to serve quality of services. further, it’s my
responsibility to gather all information regarding health and safety so that I can implement them
properly. At work place, it is essential to identify training needs where it is needed. Once,
training need is identified then in cited care home I will provide more services in high quality
manner.
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The reflective process of Gibbs cycle can also be used which will help me to identifying
my opportunities at work place. this reflection cycle includes;
Description – In this, I will see that how I will do my work and in what manner.
Feelings – The task, which I have allotted whether I can do or not. I have think positive
about my work so that I can perform all task in proper manner.
Evaluation – Now, I have to evaluate my experience whether it was bad or good. If
patient have received good services, then it shows that I have experienced good thing.
Analysis – In this stage, I using different theories which will help me to achieve best
possible of outcome results.
Conclusion – Now, I have to conclude that what I have learn from the task which I have
performed in organisation. If patients are not happy with me then I have to make my plans again
in order to serve quality of services.
Action plan – In last, action plan should be made proper with alternative action to
implement in adequate manner. For this, action plan should be recognised on regular basis.
CONCLUSION
After summing up report it has been concluded that, if national health and social care
organisation have implemented properly rules and regulations then it will be beneficial for them.
With the help of this, they can provide legal services to users and maintain their dignity. They
have to properly understand the problem of patients and serve best quality of services
accordingly. Through this, trust will not face any problem to retain in market for a long period of
time. Along with, proper training session has also been conducted which will beneficial for
organisation as well as employers to use new equipment in appropriate manner. Further, they it is
significant to determine effectiveness of health and social care policies which will help them to
increase the awareness about risk assessment also.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Badri, A., Gbodossou, A. and Nadeau, S., 2012. Occupational health and safety risks: Towards
the integration into project management. Safety science. 50(2). pp.190-198.
Branas, C. C. And et. al., 2011. A difference-in-differences analysis of health, safety, and
greening vacant urban space. American journal of epidemiology, p. kwr 273.
Cooper, C., Coulson, A. and Taylor, P., 2011. Accounting for human rights: Doxic health and
safety practices–The accounting lesson from ICL. Critical Perspectives on Accounting.
22(8). pp.738-758.
Dėjus, T. and Antuchevičienė, J., 2013. Assessment of health and safety solutions at a
construction site. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management. 19(5). pp.728-737.
Granerud, R. L. and Rocha, R. S., 2011. Organisational learning and continuous improvement of
health and safety in certified manufacturers. Safety Science. 49(7). pp.1030-1039.
Hohnen, P. and Hasle, P., 2011. Making work environment auditable–A ‘critical case’study of
certified occupational health and safety management systems in Denmark. Safety
Science. 49(7). pp.1022-1029.
McCall, M. J., 2011. Environmental, health and safety issues: nanoparticles in the real world.
Nature nanotechnology. 6(10). pp.613-614.
Reese, C. D., 2015. Occupational health and safety management: a practical approach. CRC
press.
Ross, M. W., and et. al., 2012. Occupational health and safety among commercial sex workers.
Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health. pp.105-119.
Salvendy, G., 2012. Handbook of human factors and ergonomics. John Wiley & Sons.
Schulte, P. A., and et. al., 2012. Interaction of occupational and personal risk factors in
workforce health and safety. American journal of public health. 102(3). pp.434-448.
Stone, P. W., and et. al., 2014. State of infection prevention in US hospitals enrolled in the
National Health and Safety Network. American journal of infection control. 42(2).
pp.94-99.
Tombs, S. and Whyte, D., 2013. Transcending the deregulation debate? Regulation, risk, and the
enforcement of health and safety law in the UK. Regulation & Governance. 7(1). pp.61-
79.
Underhill, E. and Quinlan, M., 2011. How precarious employment affects health and safety at
work: the case of temporary agency workers. Relations Industrielles/Industrial
Relations, pp.397-421.
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Wang, J., and et. al., 2011. How can nanobiotechnology oversight advance science and industry:
examples from environmental, health, and safety studies of nanoparticles (nano-EHS).
Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 13(4). pp.1373-1387.
A review. International Journal of Management Reviews. 14(3). pp.328-344.
Online
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. 2017. [Online]. Available
through: <http://www.compactlaw.co.uk/free-legal-articles/display-screen-equipment-
regs-1992.html. [Assessed on 24th June 2017].
RR573 - Risk assessment and process planning for bariatric patient handling pathways. 2017.
[Online]. Available through: <http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr573.htm>.
[Assessed on 4th June 2017].
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