Health and Safety in Health and Social Care - Report Example

Health and safety in health and social care Risk assessment Risk assessment involves: Identification of the most dangerous risks in the facility or organization, in my case a hospital setup. The decision of who might be at risk of being harmed and by what means. The evaluation of the risks and the decision made on the precautions to be undertaken The record of the significant findings from your survey (McDowell, 2008). From my risk assessment, I was able to come up with the following risks within the facility i was attached at: There were the common risks to everyone like asbestos from buildings that are being built, some found near old buildings that fall due to loosening due to aging; electrical equipment misplacement like an open electrical box containing naked wires; abnormal behaviour from patients with mental alterations due to disease process and the risks of being knocked down by moving vehicles Risks to residents included; falls from heights like higher balconies, lifts, escalators Workers also experienced risks such as risks associated to the work they did for example using substances of high risk and response to challenging activities The staff too experienced risks such as those who had pregnant, those who are young and those with pre-existing injuries Patients also experienced risks of falling out of bed due to unconsciousness and confusion; others needed help with bathing and/ or to move around safely (McDowell, 2008, pp. 63). 2.1 Risk Management Adoption of an individual-centred approach that involves working together with the clients, their families and involved professionals will enhance the outcomes that are valued by the client. Capacity discussion assists them to ponder through the possible consequences, either positive or negative of any consequence (McDowell, 2008, pp. 53-78). Each one involved is therefore empowered to explore the given issues, make informed choices and welcomes the responsibilities. In doing this, the following were taken to consideration: i. Real risks that could actually cause harm were taken into consideration ii. There should be close liaison with the clients (patients), carers and family during risk assessment and management for feedback purposes iii. Risks will be controlled effectively by putting reasonable controls in place for example revision policies and erecting warning signs on billboards. iv. Provision of information and proper training for the employees to work safely and reduce risks to health. v. Close monitoring of staff during work to ensure every policy is followed to the letter. vi. Time to time evaluation of the guidelines and policies to ensure they are effective vii. Prioritize the risks Identified in the order in which they will be managed with respect to their severity and resources available. viii. Assign risk “ownership” to various groups within the organization to promote consistent risk assessments, responses, and accountability across the organization. ix. Provide analytical models for future scenarios to help predict and prepare for potential risk developments. x. Create an ongoing risk assessment process within the institution (McDowell,2008, 53-81). Once a detailed risk assessment has been conducted in relation to the health and safety in health and social care in our organization, it is our responsibility to ensure we minimize or eliminate the risks. Usually all organizations have a protocol that should be followed in doing this. How the risk management will be conducted depends on the kind of results in the risk assessment (McDowell, 2008, 53-78). During planning of the management of the risks, we first list the available risks then make priorities to deal with most serious risks then move to the less serious ones. 2.2 Analysis of impact of the health and safety policy on my practice Health and safety policies by one way or another are meant to guide us and those around us from risks related to work. The policies have helped me although my placement to: safeguard my own and others’ health and safety needs at the work place; through the thorough training I received on entry into the facility, I have been able to use universal protective gears as instructed; I have been, together with my colleagues been able report risks and hazards as we identify them for proper management and also last but still important, i have been able to co-operate with the management over health and safety issues at the work place. 2.3 Problems in implementing policies and systems Financial position of the organization can limit its ability to deal with the risks that may/ is affecting its clients and employees. Management can propose a solution that can be taken to curb a risk before it happens but if the organization may not be able to facilitate it due to financial constraints. Resistance to change: employees and clients may be used to a certain traditional way in which they carry out their practice and processes. If by a chance the risk management team fault these traditions by relating them to certain risks, they may propose that these traditions be eliminated from the systems. This can be a problem when people refuse consciously or unconsciously to change. Other logistics such as time limitations in implementation due to so much to be done; poor training in the implementers and evaluators of the policies; lack of involvement of all the players in a the facility setup will lead to confusion as not all people will be aware of the ongoing activities and so on (McDowell, 2008, 53-78). 2.4 personal analyses on the effects of non-compliance to health safety legislation It is the responsibility of the facility to ensure that employees, patients and families are aware of the health and safety legislation Act (Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. When the institutions fail to adhere to these regulations, a lot of mistakes follow. Regulations are always meant to guide people so that there is order at all times everywhere. In the event that these regulations are violated brings about anarchy and disorder. In our case, failure to comply to the policies that are put in place to protect us from health risks and hazards, has brought about lots of risks. People have contacted diseases due to failure to follow simple policies like those that restrict patients with lowered immune system from walking into quarantined TB patients; others restricting people from leaving floors wet and slippery and so on (McDowell, 2008, pp. 53-78). On a more serious naught, employees who do not adhere to the health and safety legislation at work place can be prosecuted in a court of law and if found guilty of the offence, they can be fined disqualified or imprisoned (McDowell, 2008 pp. 53-78). Injuries, illness and/ or death of the employee, a work mate or a member of the public or a patient can occur due to failure to comply to safety regulations; damage to the working area, equipment for use in work and economic pull-back due to money to be spent in re-building the damaged property and cost of treatment of the injured individual (McDowell, 2008). References McDowell, T. (2008). Better health and safety in residential aged care. [Canberra]: Commonwealth Dept. of Health and Aged Care. Read More