OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care

Unit 4: Ensuring safe environments in Health and Social Care

The importance of Health and Safety

Health and safety within a health and social care environment is extremely important.

able to take responsibility for their own safety.

Reduce the hazard Reduce the risk of harm

Hazards

Hazards occur in all types of environments… …and come in all shapes and sizes It is the responsibility of both the employer and employees to reduce hazards.

Legislation

There is a range of legislation that covers Health and Safety. These can be applied to health and social care environments: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Health and Safety at Work Act Food Safety Act Food Safety Regulations Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations Manual Handling Operations Regulations

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment involves looking at risks in your environment and identifying ways to reduce or remove these risks. Here is the risk assessment process: Identify hazards Evaluate the risks Record your findings Review your findings and make necessary changes

Risk Assessment

For example, hospital cleaning staff have to work with hazardous substances…

What is the hazard?

Cleaning substances.

What are the risks?

Ill health due to contact with Employees, contractors, patients or hazardous substances.

visitors could all be exposed to the hazard.

How do you record your findings?

Complete a risk assessment form.

What do you decide when you review your findings?

All cleaning products to be securely stored. All employees to be trained.

What will you learn?

After completing this unit you will:

Know potential hazards in health and social care environments Know main principles of health and safety legislation applied to health and social care environments Understand risk assessment processes relating to health or social care

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