What you will learn in this session

1. Sources of information about health & safety, including national legislation or guidance and local policies

2. Work place hazards and/or incidents and the need for preventative action 

3. Safe working practices4. Reporting processes for health & safety risks5. Potential risks involved in work activities and processes6. Individual responsibility for reporting incidents 7. Correct use of work items provided by your employer

Why is this important?

The major injury rate has increased by 21% in the last decade

Over 1600 workers suffered a major injury because of a slip or trip in 2009/10

40% of sickness and absence is due to manual handling injuries.

Sharps injuries can transmit over 20 serious diseases.

Health & safety law

The law aims to: Prevent people getting injured or ill because of work Encourage high standards of health, safety and

welfare.

The law says: You have a right to a safe workplace Your employer must keep you safe at work You also have responsibility for your safety.

Health & safety at worklegislation

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974) Management of Health and Safety at Work

Regulations (1999)

Employer’s responsibilities

“It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of allhis/her employees”

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974)

“No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare”

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974)

Employee’s responsibilities

Responsibility for self and others by acts or omissions Co-operate with employer Follow policies, procedures and instructions

Management of health & safety at work regulations

Assess the risks to which employeesare exposed to at work

Ensure employers comply with all healthand safety laws and regulations

Comply with the law on the basis ofthe general principles of prevention

Failure to comply with health & safety legislation

Prosecution, notices, fines and imprisonment Organisational or individual

Claims and complaints Organisational or individual

Unquantifiable risk Reputation, credibility, morale

Key definitions

Hazard is the potential to cause harm Risk is the likelihood of harm Safe is about being protected from,

or not exposed to, danger or risk Competence is about the ability to do

something well (perhaps measured against a standard) and is usually acquired through experience or training

Significant in terms of risk is the likelihood of something occurring in combination with the magnitude of its impact

Reasonable in the context of health and safety is where the cost of action to control the risk is proportionate to the reduction in the risk. Cost, here, refers to time and effort as well as money

What is a risk assessment?

Identifying hazards that have the potential to cause harm and the associated risks Know about the risks in your work Control the risks that need it Make sure the risks stay controlled

Risk is a part of everyday life Can’t eliminate all risk Know about the main risks that affect you Know what to do to manage them responsibly

Carrying out a risk assessment

Step 1 Identify the hazards

Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how

Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

Step 4 Record your findings and implement them

Step 5 Review your assessment and update if necessary

Common risks

Mechanical hazards Equipment-related injury

Other hazards: Biological hazards Chemical hazards Violence and aggression Work pressure Wrongly/not used personal protective equipment

Slips, trips and falls

Slips and trips can happen anywhere

The biggest cause of serious injuries to health care workers, service users and others

Preventing slips, trips and falls

Personal behaviour Wear sensible suitable footwear Clean up and report spillages Remove and report obstructions Keep walkways and work areas clear Plan cleaning schedules appropriately

Benefits of reporting incidents

Prevent or minimise future incidents Learn and implement change Safe place to work Comply with the

organisation’s policy Maintain record of

events and actions

THANK YOUAny Questions?

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