Legislation, Policies and Procedures Relating Essay

In this assignment I will be writing about how legislation, policies and procedures relating to health and safety in a social care setting. I will also be describing how the health and safety legislation, policies and procedures will promote safety of the individuals. Civil Contingencies Act 2004 How legislation, policies and procedures relating to health, safety and security influence a social care setting. The civil contingencies act relates to the response of public services in a major emergency. This act would come into use if the situation was so serious that public services become incapable to carry out their function without the power of the law behind them. This act gives guidance on:- Prevention Anticipation assessment Response Recovery Preparation It gives guidance on these things before, during and after a major threat to public welfare. The law demands for emergency services to work with one another, in order for this to happen a plan is in place already, which gives a framework that, could be used if an emergency arises, so that each service is aware of what their roles will be. The emergencies could include:- A terrorist attack Industrial accidents Extreme weather conditions Severe flooding Pollution incidents A pandemic such as swine flu. If not followed it could lead to Death Injuries Health problems Unsafe places for people to stay in How health and safety legislation, policies and procedures promote the safety of individuals in a social care setting. This legislation promotes health and safety and if followed through properly, it could prevent any hazards from taking place which could cause harm to individuals, as an action plan will be put into force, which all staff will be aware of. Due to the fact that there will be a plan ready, staff and residents will feel less scared as staff will be organised and will be aware of what they need to do. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002 How legislation, policies and procedures relating to health, safety and security influence a social care setting. COSHH requires preventing or reducing workers exposure to hazardous substances. This could be done by:- Finding out what the health hazards are Ensure procedures are followed Ensure health surveillance is carried out if employees are exposed to harmful substances in their work, to identify early signs of disease. Providing information, instructions and training for employees and others Providing control measures to reduce harm to health This legislation is in the policy to promote keeping employers and employees working in a safe environment. It also promotes the safety In hospitals for each individual as it ensures that all staff are supervised, and trained, as in the policy it states â€Å"Staff must be trained in order to ensure that they know how to keep themselves safe from any type of harm†. If the legislation is not followed properly than it can cause many problems such as Employees could be in danger and would not be aware of it No risk assessment or plan has taken place; therefore staff won’t be prepared for anything. Harmful substances can be exposed How health and safety legislation, policies and procedures promote the safety of individuals in a social care setting. This legislation promotes health and safety of both residents and staff as: Staff would be aware, if anything was to happen for example if someone got into contact with a hazardous substance they would know what drug to give to prevent any further complications. Hospitals would be a much safer environment to work and stay in as there wouldn’t be hazardous substances lying around. Staff would be able to handle hazardous substances as they will know the correct way to handle them by following the correct procedures. Policies and procedures linked in with the storage and dispensing of medicines should be followed by care professionals in order to prevent care users from being exposed to hazardous substances. Health and Safety at Work Act How legislation, policies and procedures relating to health, safety and security influence a Social care setting. The Health and Safety at Work Act imposes a responsibility on the employer to ensure safety at work for all their employees, it promotes and encourage high standards of health and safety in places of work. It protects employees and the public from work activities. Employers must comply with the act, they must:- Provide a safe working environment Make sure a risk assessment is carried out Ensure materials used are properly stored, transported, handled and used Employers have to take reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work. Failure to do so could result in:- A criminal prosecution in the Magistrates Court or a Crown Court. Injuries to residents and care professionals Residents falling which could lead to broken bones Failure to ensure safe working practises could also lead to:- an employee suing for personal injury An employer should assess the level of risk as against the cost of eliminating that risk in deciding whether they have taken reasonable steps as far as they are able. Regulation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Data Protection Act 1998 Food Safety Act 1990 Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1997 How health and safety legislation, policies and procedures promote the safety of individuals in a social care setting. This legislation promotes health and safety of both patients and staff as it ensures they are working in a safe environment, minimising the Hazards in the area and making sure that materials are handled properly. There are health and safety policies that must be followed by staff and patients. Accidents should be reported, so that records are kept, and if accidents continue to occur, then a pattern will show, and things should be put into place to sort the issue out. Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) How legislation, policies and procedures relating to health, safety and security influence a Social care setting. This regulation regulates the statutory obligation to report deaths, diseases, injuries and dangerous occurrences that take place in any work place such as hospitals. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), place a legal duty on: †¢employers †¢self-employed people †¢people in control of premises Reporting information like this enables how, where and why the risk took place. If this legislation is not followed it can cause: Deaths Spread of diseases Harm to staff and others around them