MLearning 4 Those Who Care

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M-Learning 4 Those Who Care
NVQ Health Social Care Level 2
HSC22 Part 2 Support the health safety of
yourself individuals
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Contents
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Knowledge Evidence

• This information pack provides information on the
  following

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Why Assess?

• The care environment is particularly susceptible
  to accidents incidents. By assessing risk its
  potential to cause harm, steps can be taken to
  reduce the risk. E.g., to physically lift a
  client would put the carer the client at risk.
  Using a hoist would help reduce the risk.
• However, to maintain an individuals rights
  identity there needs to be a careful balance
  between acceptable risk the protection of
  individuals from harm.

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Codes of Practice

• The General Social Care Council codes of practice
  states that social care workers must

• Promote the independence of users while
  protecting them as far as possible from danger
  harm.
• Respect the rights of service users whilst
  seeking to ensure that their behaviour does not
  harm themselves or other people.

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Policy

• Each organisation will have its own systems
  procedures for the ongoing monitoring
  maintaining of health safety in the workplace.
• You will need to assess any potential risks as
  you work, take actions to reduce them.
  Familiarise yourself with the care plans of the
  clients you are working with any risk
  assessments there may be.

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Risks Hazards

• Risks, or hazards, can be broken down into the
  following categories

• Environmental hazards
• Hazards from equipment materials
• Hazards connected with people

Over the next few pages you will find some
examples. For each one think about any action
you might need to take.
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Environmental Hazards

• Wet and slippery floors
• Equipment not being stored correctly (e.g.
  wheelchairs).
• Loose rugs
• Leaking radiators

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Hazards from Equipment Materials

• Service users not swallowing medication
• Cleaning materials not being stored correctly
• Trailing wires
• Hoists and slings not being regularly maintained.

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Hazards Connected with People

• Service users who are unsteady on their feet.
• Verbal and physical aggression.
• Wide range of visitors.

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Emergencies

• Emergencies can be grouped into environmental
  emergencies health emergencies.

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Human Rights

• Under the Human Rights Act 1998 people are
  protected from degrading or humiliating
  treatment. Where organisations have had blanket
  policies, such as a total ban on lifting,
  individuals have challenged these policies in the
  courts, as they do not take into account
  individual circumstances.

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Acceptable Risk (1)

• Bearing in mind the Human Rights Act, acceptable
  risk will often need to be judged e.g. allowing a
  client to do a cooking activity. A judgement will
  need to be made as to the risk of burns or
  scalds. Interventions could be put in place so
  that the carer uses the cooker, but the
  individual does the remainder of the task.
  However, if the individual understands the risk
  insists that they use the cooker they would have
  the right to undertake this activity.

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Acceptable Risk (2)

• Where possible the organisation will need to put
  in measures that reduce limit the risk. This
  may be by the purchase of specialist equipment,
  raised level of supervision, or meeting a
  compromise with the individual.
• E.g., an individual with epilepsy who wishes to
  bath alone with some privacy, but understands the
  risk involved of having a seizure in the bath,
  may accept leaving the door ajar in earshot of
  the carer.

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Promoting Health Safety

• When encouraging individuals to express their
  needs preferences it is important that you
  encourage them to take responsibility for their
  own health Safety as far as possible.
• Think about occasions when you might have to
  discuss health safety responsibilities with a
  client. E.g., not smoking in bed.
• The Health Safety Act is aimed at protecting
  your your service users visitors from danger
  harm.

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Health Hygiene (1)
There are many different aspects of health and
hygiene that could pose a threat to you and
others in your workplace. How many can you think
of? Some examples are listed on the next page.
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Health Hygiene (2)

• Not using gloves when dealing with body fluids.
• Wearing dangly earrings or leaving your hair
  loose.
• Not changing gloves aprons when dealing with
  different service users.
• Inappropriate disposal of clinical waste.
• Continuing to work even though you are ill.

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Infection Control

• Working in the community it is often difficult to
  control the risk of cross infection. However, in
  a residential setting it is essential to the
  wellbeing of everyone that cross infection is
  controlled.
• Protective clothing such as gloves and aprons
  must only be used once, and then disposed of.
• Hand washing is essential in controlling the
  spread of infection.

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How To Wash Hands

• Using warm running water dampen hands and apply
  liquid soap.
• Rub hands thoroughly together making sure both
  palm and back of hand, between the fingers and
  thumb and the wrists are well rubbed.
• Rinse thoroughly in running water.
• Dry using a disposable towel or hand drier.

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When To Wash Hands

• Before and after giving personal care to an
  individual or dealing with bodily fluids, soiled
  clothes, linen dressings or other clinical waste.
• Before serving or preparing food, or supporting
  service users with meals.
• After using the toilet, coughing or sneezing.
• At the beginning and end of each shift.

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Further Research

• For your workplace, think about the areas where
  risk assessments are carried out. How is this
  information recorded where would you locate it?
• For more information click on any of the
  following
• Human Rights Act 1998
• General Social Care Council Codes of Practice

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Summary

• You have now finished this Information Pack
  should have a greater understanding of the issues
  involved in promoting health, safety security
  in the working environment.
• Should you need any further help with this unit
  please email your assessor by clicking on the
  link below

Click here to email your assessor