Health and Safety in Health and Social Care: Legislation and Practice

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of health and safety within the health and social care (HSC) sector. It begins by exploring communication systems, policies, and procedures used to disseminate health and safety information within a Respite care home setting, emphasizing the importance of care planning and risk assessment. The report then delves into the responsibilities of HSC workplaces in managing health and safety, including hazard treatment, monitoring, and review processes, as well as the significance of enhancing service quality and developing trust with patients. Furthermore, it examines specific health and safety priorities and the impact of non-compliance with legislation. The report also addresses the role of individual contributions in promoting health and safety, including training and interaction with various stakeholders. The report underscores the critical need for compliance with relevant legislation like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Administration of Safety and Health at Work Regulations 1992, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and secure environment for both employees and patients. The report provides practical insights into how to create a safe and healthy work environment in the health and social care sector.

Health and Safety in Health
and Social Care

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Systems, policies and processes for communicating information on health and safety in
HSC workplace.......................................................................................................................1
1.2 Responsibilities of health and social care workplace for managing health and safety....2
3.3 Own contribution in placing the health and safety needs of people at the centre of practice
................................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
1.3 Health and safety priorities which are required for a specific health and social care
workplace...............................................................................................................................6
2.4 Effect of non-compliance with health and safety legislation in a health and social care
workplace...............................................................................................................................7
2.2 Impact of any one aspect of health and safety policy on health and social care practice and
its customers...........................................................................................................................8
3.1 How policies and practices of health and safety are monitored and reviewed...............10
2.1 Information informs care planning for individuals and business decisions making about
policies and procedures........................................................................................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................14
2.3 Dilemmas encountered in relation to applying systems and policies for health, safety and
security may be addressed....................................................................................................14
3.2 Effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices for promotion healthy and safe
culture...................................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
In present time, all business enterprises do not establish to only earn money, they
establish to provide various benefits to their customer, employees, shareholders and some other
stakeholders. They have to make sure that their employees work in a safe and secure workplace.
In present scenario, there are various legislations which has been introduced by UK government
regarding health and safety, which force health and social care companies to keep safety
measures within their workplace, for their workers so that they will not get harm while operating
business activities and practices (Christophorou, 2013).
This project report is focused on different case studies. In this report, different health and
safety legislations has been evaluated which are mandatory to follow by all health and social care
organisations. Also, some ways have been determined in which health and safety requirements
impact on customers and work of practitioners in the health and social care workplace. At last,
monitoring and safety of health and safety has been evaluated in health and social care work
place.
TASK 1
1.1 Systems, policies and processes for communicating information on health and safety in HSC
workplace
The organisation where I am working is Respite care home. There are various systems,
policies and procedures which is adopted by organisations so that they can communicate
required data or information to their employees. In order to create good culture and
environment, business enterprise should set some standardised rules and regulations within its
work place (Hohnen and Hasle, 2011). There are number of activities or systems through my
company can communicate important information to its employees. Care planning gives surety
that a successful strategy has been implemented within work place. It is highly important for
managers to developed infrastructure and business functions according to care planning which
they have been conducted. By following an appropriate structure or plans I easily increase the
safety and security level for people. It also encourages health and social care company to comply
with legislations.
There are various dilemmas, which I have faced, that have negatively impacted
communication channels. But with the help of risk assessments those dilemmas can be removed
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from work place (Shackley, and et. al., 2012). First is related to management of health and
safety, there are various policies and procedures which is followed by NHS to manage health and
safety within its work place. Also, those policies provide clear cut instructions to people about
health and safety measures. Second is regarding personal and organisational practice, National
health service is one of the leading HSC company which follows various guidelines so that it
does not have to deal with any hindrance and discrimination while communicating information
to people. Third is related to use of various type of tools. There are various types of tolls such as
e-mails, letters, seminars and conferences through which health and social care organisation can
communicate important information to its stakeholders such as employee, customer and so on.
Four and final one is regarding monitoring and reviewing, health and social care
organisations should monitor and review all the techniques and tools which are used by them for
communicating. By doing this, they can remove all the problems which creates problem in
communication (Granerud and Rocha, 2011). Apart from this, there are some most important
legislation which should be followed by Respite care home.
Health and safety at work act 1974: It covers various issues like work place safety,
welfare and health across various sector. According to this act, employers are obliged to provide
health and safety work place so that employees and patients of care home will safe and secure.
Administration of safety and health at work regulations 1992 states that health and social care
organisation should use risk assessments so that all the risks can be identified and can be
removed in most effective manner.
1.2 Responsibilities of health and social care workplace for managing health and safety
By creating safe and secure environment, organisation should clarify risk, safety/security,
minimum risk, zero risk, hazard, accident prevention and so on. For improving awareness and
reducing risk in my organisation i.e. Respite care home I clearly stated different terms to the
employees and visitors of the organisation, like risk is potential threat, zero risk means no risk
present in environment, accident prevention is precautionary steps taken to avoid any situation,
first aid is a kit that is used to treat patient. Risk management is significant for Respite care
home. In order to create safe and sound environment, health and social care organisation should
manage all the risks which can affect their work place (Wang and et al., 2011). It is huge
responsibility of managers to assess all those factors which needs for formulating risk
management policy. Hazard treatment is related to the case of any accident, it is highly important
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for health and social care organisation should take swift response which can be possible only if
company have a established policy structure. Monitoring and review, for creating and
maintaining a secure environment within work place, it is highly important for managers of
health and social care organisation to replace their existing polices with effective ones on regular
basis so that they can continuously improve health and safety in company (Wilkins, 2011).
Enhancing quality of services is prior objective of my organisation i.e. Respite care
home. We try to provide quality services to the customers. Developing mutual trust Without
developing trust in patient, health and social care organisation cannot give them better treatment.
For providing better services to customer it is highly important for professionals to perform their
roles and responsibilities in ethical manner (Suarthana and et al., 2011). It is highly important
for health and social care professionals to understand their roles and then perform them in most
effective manner so that their organisation can get high growth and development. Apart from
this, there are some other responsibilities which should be performed by Respite care home fro
managing health and safety within work place. Management of care home should create some
organisational procedures and policies so that it can manage healthy and safe working
environment within work place. Also, it have responsibility to follow all legislations and
regulations regarding heath and safety. Along with this professionals of heath and social care
organisation should also have responsibility to mage all the record of accidents which have taken
place in work place. Visitors, patients, stakeholders, supervisors, doctors and other people of
healthcare company should perform their roles in ethical manner. In simple words, individual
who is connected with healthcare company have responsibility to keep work place safe, secure
and accident free. Professionals should wear safety equipments while using X ray and other
electronic items.
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Illustration 1: Roles of employees at the workplace
(Source: Roles of employees, 2011)
Employer is responsible of auditing monitoring of all the activities which is done by
employees, like check whether cleaning department is using cleaning equipments in proper way
so risk associated with various activities like mopping can be minimised. Management of this
care home is responsible for conducting a fire drill in regular interval of time, they should recruit
should auditor who can check make sure that all the facilities regarding first aid should be
present in care-home.
It is crucial for the employees to follow set standards in order make sustainable future for
the employees. Organisation need to make employee assistance programmes and some social
arrangements in order to operate their work in more efficient manner.
Role of employee:
 They need to obey OSHA policies while working in an organisation.
 In any emergencies situations, companies needs to make contingency plan to face any
critical aspects.
3.3 Own contribution in placing the health and safety needs of people at the centre of practice
It is huge responsibility of all managers to contribute their efforts in organisational growth
and development. Being a manager of care home it is responsibility of mine contribute maximum
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efforts in my healthcare organisation. Also, I should consider all the rules and regulations
regarding health and safety so that I can provide better services to patients and also can create
safe and sound environment within work place (McCaughey and et. al., 2013). There are various
types of procedures and rules which can assists me in in building a managed workplace. I have
gone through from various processes to prevent any kind of injury and illness from staff
members. Also, I have learned about risk assessment and its effectiveness which will assist me in
my future professional life. I have identified various measures through which I can take most
important decision regarding work place. Apart from this, it is highly important fro me to
perform all of my responsibilities as a manage of respite care home like risk assessment, solution
of risks and so on. Also, I should follow all the regulations and frameworks which are related to
heath and social care organisation. Along with this, I have to make interactions with individuals,
groups and other agencies by which is can get help in tough time.
My contribution is significant in providing training to the employees of care-home. I
trained them for providing first aid in case some accident happen in the organisation. I have
knowledge about all the details regarding compliance. I make sure that legal division of the
organisation send all the important report like accidents happened in the organisation to
appropriate government authority. I also chat with every employee of the organisation so I can
ask their views about what is the risk which they feel is present in their work. The prime
advantages of my contribution is that all the employees get essential training which increases
their awareness about heath and safety standards. Making sure that government regulations are
followed saved organisation from many legal troubles.
 Training: A well organise training session needs to be organise by the owner of Respite
care home. This will control chances of mistakes those are arises during the formulation
of any plan.
 Practices: Every employees need to follow certain practices those are responsible for
making healthcare and social care requirements. This will help to coordinate their work in
more appropriate manner so that they can attain their task in more effectively.
 Interactions with individual: The way people ask various queries those are arises during
the time of any emergencies situations. Employees need to be well trained so that they
can manage and listen customers problems in more easily and polite mode.
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 Groups and agencies: NHS and some other medical agencies those are operating in
order to guide employees about facing any critical situation if any arises at the workplace.
TASK 2
1.3 Health and safety priorities which are required for a specific health and social care workplace
As per given case scenario, Mr John is care home manager in Newham London and his care
home gets failed in achieving CQC ratings, because it was ignoring the health and safety policies
which are highly required for creating a healthy and safe working environment within work
place. (Ku and Matani, 2017).
Hence, these are some most important laws which should be followed by Mr John. So
that he can fulfil all the health and safety related measures which are required by Care Quality
Commission. Apart from this, there are some other priorities which should be consider by
Manager of respite care home manager and these are follows as under:
Ventilation: For health and social care company it is highly important to give priority to
ventilation services because without this Patient will feel suffocated and can not overcome from
their decease. Apart form this, it is an legal obligation that healthcare companies should design
their premises to consider the clinical needs with respect to ventilation.
Security: This is another most important priority which should be considered by respite
care home. In health and social care companies thousands of patients come there. So, it is
responsibility of healthcare company to be concerned with customer safety as in parental
disputes, power of attorney issues, going missing and so on. Mr. John can take help of various
access controls systems for making patients detail confidential.
Hence, these are some most important priorities which should be considered by respite
care home in order to create good working environment within work place. By implementing
above mentioned priorities, healthcare company can earn its customer's trust and also can
provide them better services. In respite care home various individual are suffering from problems
and in order to manage their heath and safety various actions should be taken by heath and social
care organisation.
Individual's health context:
 It is highly important for heath and social care company to understand behaviour of
individual.
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 To identify reasons why he or she have such behaviour.
 Initiatives of treatment
 Provide appropriate help to individuals so that they can deal with social and other
environmental issues.
Individual's safety context:
 It is highly important for respite care home to provide healthy ans safe working
environment to individuals.
 To make sure that care home has made appropriate settings to make work place safe and
secure.
Apart from this, some other healthy and safety priorities should be implemented within
workplace. For this respite care home should provide walking aid, wheelchair services to
disabled people, door locks, cameras, temperature control and some other priorities.
Mr John has to install cameras at various places in care home so organisation can find the
damages and problems relating to wiring. This will help them in reducing changes of risks in
short time period. Continuous maintenance of the equipments used in building will increase the
safety and make whole environment healthy. He also have to check that whether door locks are
working proper and whether alarms are in working condition. Checking ventilation should be
done at the time of maintenance of building in order to assure that suffocation do not impact
health of patients.
Health and safety act 1974: According to this particular acts which guide employees to
perform duties in more effectively at workplace. Employers must protect the health, safety and
welfare work of every employees those are working on their premises. It would help to analyse
casual workers behaviours, self-employed and general aspects of general public.
2.4 Effect of non-compliance with health and safety legislation in a health and social care
workplace
There are various kinds of punishments and penalties which is paid by those healthcare
companies which do not comply to health and safety legislations and these are follows as under:
 There are various fines which imposed to health and social care organisations in case of
non-compliance to legal rules, regulations and legislations. So, it is highly important for
them to operate their activities and practices as per legal standards.
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 There are various responsibilities which is imposed by government which takes extra
cost. Government have made various provisions which imposed to those company which
does not follow legal rules.
Also, they cannot get benefits from government (Baicker, Cutler and Song, 2017).
 When healthcare company does not operate their activities and practices as per legal
standards then they their services if gets degraded by government which influence
negative impact on their market image.
 Also, this type of company can not take financial assistance from government bodies.
 Care home which do not follow legal rules and regulations generally do not get the
attention of customers because people like to get treatment from those heath and special
care organisation which operates their functions in ethical manner.
If Respite care home will break the regulations then they may have to pay fine in the
court. This will make a negative impact on their goodwill and the moral of employee will go
down if they people will tell them that they cannot provide essential health care services.
The role of employees need to follow as per the mention rules and practices according to
the Health and safety act 1974. This act of parliament is the primary aspect as per the mention
legislation. It places a wide range of duties on every employers in order to ensure a reasonably
practicable. The health and safety at the work of their employees needs to be well organise so
that chances of accidents can be minimised. This can help in assessing risk related with the
health and safety provided to the workforce.
2.2 Impact of any one aspect of health and safety policy on health and social care practice and its
customers
Moreover, for better growth and development, respite care home should provide training
programs to their employees so that their performance can in improved and developed in most
effective manner. It is most important provision that company should provide them appropriate
training program. By doing this, they can get knowledge about preventing injuries and risks
which can help healthcare company in providing quality services to customers. By conducting
Ad hoc training program, health care company can enhance knowledge and learning of its
workers. For substance, if healthcare organisation will not provide training program to its newly
hired employees then they will not be able to operate business activities in most effective
manner. Also, they can get injured while using dangerous equipments. So, it is highly important
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for respite home care to provide appropriate training programs to their workers so that they can
get enough knowledge about machines and their usage.
Furthermore, due to less knowledge employees can make common mistakes which can
result in various safety risks. So, by engaging in training program workers can perform their
given tasks and responsibilities in most effective and systematic manner. If respite care home do
not follow training provision then it can suffer from various financial penalties, also less skilled
employees can not provide quality services to customer which influence negative impact on
healthcare company. So, it is highly important for organisation to provide required training
programs to its workers because it helps in increasing their work efficiency and effectiveness
which helps health and social care organisation in leading at high level of success and growth.
High skilled workers can provide high quality services to customer and also can provide them
huge satisfaction.
A risk assessment team made by cited organisation can find the areas where changing of
happening of an accident is high. They can also tell the necessary solution for the problem and
by paste warning sign they can make people aware about the safety standards and other
precautions (Reeves and et al., 2011). Their work will be monitored by a team consisting of
senior manager. Besides regular inspection, some surprise inspection will be done of checking
the work of this team. Cameras will also help in monitoring the working of employees and
identifying other problems. By reviewing old mistakes this organisation can find potential risk
and by comparing their current work with previous one they can measure what different they
have done this time.
According to health and safety act, 1974, it is the responsibility of employer to make sure
that they various kind of risks and provide all the necessary safety equipment which is should be
wear by worker at the time of doing their work.
Observation of normal clinical operations and activities for evaluating system. It is
necessary for hospital association stages to determine trends and other targets in improving
crucial requirements of an organization. Feedback those are collected from auditing about
clinical staff and physicians as well as hospital department are analyse in best suitable manner.
This reviews is finalised by ensuring every crucial aspects those are affecting health and safety
of an organisation.
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3.1 How policies and practices of health and safety are monitored and reviewed
There are various ways through which healthcare company can monitor and review health
and safety policies and practices, these are follows as under:
 Measuring health and safety performance: It is highly important for all healthcare
organisation to measure their activities, practices and their effectiveness on continuous
basis. For that they can take feedbacks from their customer and also can conduct surveys
from customers to ensure that they have implemented healthcare polices in right manner.
Analysing active measures: there are various active measurements which can be used to check
viabilities of practices and these are, accomplishing desired goals/objectives, increasing
operational capacity of various systems, compliance with standards, inspections, surveillance,
observations and so on (Rogers and et. al., 2017).
 Analysing reactive measures: It helps in countering all kind of measures and these are,
injuries, damage to property, complaints, reports of hazards and so on.
 Inspections: It is that activity which is performed by senior managers to ensure that all
the healthcare activities are operating in appropriate manner.
 Auditing – By auditing various report regarding heath and safety standards which is made
by organisation, it can be checked that what mistakes they have made and making. This
mistakes can be adopted by making a sound controlling system.
The Audit of risk based business planning is more related with safety and security that
target on civil aviation sector. It is crucial for the department to use both external and internal
audit outcomes over the past five years in order to examine risk types those are directly related
with generating positive results for the department. The workers need to introduce more
effectively by using environmental scanning.
2.1 Information informs care planning for individuals and business decisions making about
policies and procedures
The inspector has prostituted Mr. John and his care home for the health and safety offence using
the workplace regulations 1992, health and safety at work act 1974 and food hygienic offences.
Also, HSC and CQC has given warning to Mr. John that his care home passes all the health and
safety regulations to keep patients and its employees safe and secure (Berwick, Nolan and
Whittington, 2017). So, it is highly important for Mr John to produce a risk assessment through
which he can easily assess all the work related risks and also can find solutions for manage them.
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