risks and hazards

Question 1

Hazard

Answer 1

It’s a potential source of harm or adverse health effect

Question 2

Risk

Answer 2

The probability of harm - The chance of somebody being harmed by the hazard as well as how serious the hazard could be

Question 3

Environmental hazard

Answer 3

They are hazards that occur due to the settings surroundings.

• Worn/damaged equipment
• Furniture and flooring can cause slip and trip hazards resulting in sprains, bruising or fractures, or in being knocked unconscious

Question 4

Biological hazard

Answer 4

Are hazards which stem from biological materials.

• Medical or other waste products not disposed of following the correct procedure
• Poor levels of hygiene can result in the spread of infection and disease

Question 5

Chemical hazards

Answer 5

Are hazards caused by any chemical substance able to cause harm.

• Medication ~ incorrect dose administered, wrong medication, unauthorised access to medication can have serious health consequences
• Cleaning materials ~ incorrectly stored or used can cause serious physical harm

Question 6

Psychological hazards

Answer 6

Are hazards which effect worker’s mental health or mental wellbeing in a way that impacts their ability to work safely and healthily.

• Stress and fatigue ~ due to long working hours, coping with challenging behaviour, violence, abuse from service users: bullying in the workplace

Question 7

Musculoskeletal hazard

Answer 7

Are hazards which put the individual at a risk of injury as a result of straining/lifting and the risks which come with manual handling

• Manual handling of equipment, patients and residents can cause back or muscle injuries if not carried out correctly following procedures
• Display screening equipment (DSE) ~ incorrect posture/badly positioned screen when using a computer can cause muscular aches and pains and repetitive stress injuries (RSI)

Question 8

Working conditions

Answer 8

Are hazards that may occur due to the working conditions of a setting.

• Temperature ~ workplace to hot/to cold can cause dehydration and exacerbate conditions e.g. asthma
• Noise levels to high can have long term effects on hearing
• Travel ~ long distances, traffic, being away from home often causing stress, tiredness

Question 9

Working practices

Answer 9

Are hazards that may occur due to unsafe working practices.

• Excessive working hours result in tiredness/lack of concentration, leading to to mistakes and accidents
• Lack of supervision for new staff/staff taking on a new task ~ training and supervision are needed to avoid accidents and injuries e.g. using a hoist incorrectly could cause serious physical injury for a patient and the staff

Question 10

Lack of security

Answer 10

Are hazards that occur due to inadequate security measures.

• Door locks, alarm systems and monitoring of visitors all prevent unauthorised access by strangers who may pose a threat of harm for all individuals in care environments security may not be in place or may be faulty due to poor maintenance