Health, safety and welfare

Question 1

What is RIDDOR?

Answer 1

• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations (2013)
• This requires NHS trusts and other employers to report some of the more serious work-related accidents and incidents to the Health and Safety Excutive (HSE)

Question 2

Name examples of incidents that may be RIDDOR reportable.

Answer 2

• Accidents resulting in the death of any person
• Accidents resulting in an employee being incapacitated for more than 7 days
• Accidents resulting in specified injuries
• Accidents resulting in a person being taken directly to hospital for treatment
• Some occupational diseases
• Dangerous occurrences

Question 3

What should you do if you suspect an accident could be RIDDOR reportable?

Answer 3

You must follow your Trust’s incident reporting procedure and notify the Trust’s health and safety team as soon as practicable.

Question 4

What can employees do to make the workplace safe?

Answer 4

• Work safely
• Wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required
• Follow policies and procedures
• Report unsafe activities
• Report unsafe situations or conditions
• Report accidents and near misses

Question 5

Name some procedures and provisions that are in place?

Answer 5

• Health and safety inspections
• Staff training
• Policies, guidelines and procedures
• Safe work equipment and facilities
• Risk assessments
• Fire precautions
• Safety signs
• Occupational health
• Employer’s liability insurance

Question 6

Name the legislations that relates to health and safety at work.

Answer 6

• Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999)
• Manual Handling Operations (1992, amended 2002)
• Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (1992)
• Health and Safety Regulations (1992)
• RIDDOR
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) (2002)

Question 7

What is the role of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations (2002)?

Answer 7

• Provide a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances.
• Hazardous substances are usually indicated by hazard signs.
• COSHH assessments should be available. These contain information about how to work safely with hazardous substances.

Question 8

What is the role of Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (1992)?

Answer 8

Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of PPE at work.

Question 9

What should all employees do in the interest of patients, colleagues and their own health, safety and welfare?

Answer 9

• Take responsibility for their own health and safety and those of others who may be affected by their acts
• Co-operate with their employer on health and safety issues
• Be familiar with and follow policies, procedures and instructions
• Report any accidents, damage, unsafe acts or conditions, near misses, or loss as soon as reasonably possible
• Ensure they report immediately any condition which may affect their ability to work safely
• Ensure they attend any related training courses provided for them

Question 10

What is a hazard?

Answer 10

Anything with the potential to cause harm. For example, uneven or wet floors or cables stretched across walkways.

Question 11

What is a risk?

Answer 11

The likelihood and consequences of that harm occuring.

Question 12

What are the steps in a risk assessment?

Answer 12

1 - Identify the hazards
2 - Decide who might be harmed and how
3 - Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
4 - Record your findings and implement them
5 - Review your assessment and update if necessary

Question 13

Name common hazards working in healthcare?

Answer 13

• Needlestick injuries
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Stress
• Slips and falls

Question 14

How can you prevent slips, trips and falls?

Answer 14

• Conducting appropriate risk assessment
• Being conscientious about your own personal behaviour
• Wearing sensible, suitable footwear
• Cleaning up and reporting spillages
• Removing and reporting obstructions
• Keeping walkways and work areas clear and well lit
• Planning cleaning schedules appropriately

Question 15

Why should incidents and near misses be reported?

Answer 15

• To prevent/minimise risk and incidents by learning and implementing appropriate change
• For patient safety and a safer working environment
• To comply with legislation
• To comply with the organisation’s policies
• To maintain a record of events and actions
• To identify trends
• To encourage openness and fairness