Policies and Procedures

Question 1

What are the 11 policies and procedures?

Answer 1

• fire safety
• asbestos
• transport
• electrical safety
• safeguarding
• reporting of accidents
• food safety
• disposal of hazardous waste
• storage and dispensing medicines
• lone working
• security of premises, possessions and individuals

Question 2

Fire safety policies and procedures

Answer 2

• fire emergency evacuation plan
• alarms, smoke/heat detectors, fire doors (tested regularly)
• fire extinguishers (tested regularly)
• signage
• designated staff to call 999
• personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs)
• designated external assembly point
• no re-entry of building

Question 3

Asbestos policies and procedures

Answer 3

• find out if asbestos is present
• make a record of location, type and condition
• assess the risk of anyone being exposed
• prepare a plan of how to manage these risks
• put the plan into action, monitor it and keep it updated
• provide this information to anyone who may work on, or disturb the asbestos

Question 4

Transport policies and procedures

Answer 4

• driver has appropriate license, insurance, and DBS checks
• vehicle has up to date service and is maintained
• vehicle is checked before use
• vehicle has first aid kit + seatbelts
• children has parental consent for the trip
• vehicle has risk assessment and control measures
• organiser has all emergency contact details
• staff:student

Question 5

Electrical safety policies and procedures

Answer 5

• portable electrical equipment should be tested regularly
• employees frequently check damage to cables/plugs/sockets
• employees do not overload extension cables/sockets
• employees know how to report damage and to whom

Question 6

Safeguarding policies and procedures

Answer 6

• staff have a duty of care to report all safeguarding concerns
• all care environments must have safeguarding procedures, a reporting system, and a named person who is responsible for safeguarding
• all staff must have safeguarding training, be DBS checked, and be aware of the potential indicators of abuse
• all staff and service users must be aware of the procedures to follow to report safeguarding issues

Question 7

Reporting of accidents policies and procedures

Answer 7

• reporting procedure is clear for reporting work related accidents
• reports are kept for 3 years
• procedure to report serious injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents to HSE

Question 8

Food safety policies and procedures

Answer 8

• procedure for cleaning work surfaces and equipment before preparing food
• procedure for washing fruit and vegetables
• procedure to avoid cross contamination
• procedure for storing food (dates, fridge temperature, covering food)
• procedure for checking temperature of food
• procedure for disposing of food

Question 9

Disposal of hazardous waste policies and procedures

Answer 9

• clinical waste and dressings: yellow bags incinerated
• bodily fluids: flushed down toilet
• medication (out of date or no longer required: taken to local GP/ pharmacy
• needles, sharp, syringes: yellow box, or contact local council to collect
• soiled linen: red bags put directly into washing machine (bags dissolve), wash at high temperature

Question 10

Storage and dispensing medicines policies and procedures

Answer 10

• ordering should be quick and efficient
• a list of medications needs to be checked against that received
• controlled drugs must be kept in a locked cupboard
• ensure the right person receives the right dose of medication at the right time
• records of medication must be clear
• return unwanted medication to pharmacy

Question 11

Lone working policies and procedures

Answer 11

• inform colleagues of where you are going and when you will return
• use protection (mobile phone, personal alarm, self-defence training)
• flagging system to identify potentially violent individuals so visitors only go in pairs

Question 12

Security of premises, possessions and individuals policies and procedures

Answer 12

• limit who has keys and monitor where keys are at all times
• ID/lanyards for staff
• electronic locks, PIN code entry
• locked external gates/doors
• staffed reception desk
• window locks or restraints
• escorting visitors
• CCTV monitoring of external entrances
• issuing visitor badges