A list of key legislation relating to Health and Safety in a social care setting.

A list of the key legislation relating to health and safety in a social care setting-

• ·         Health and Safety at work Act 1974
• ·         Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999
• ·         Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulation 1981 include amendment on 2009
• ·         The Electricity at Work regulations 1989
• ·         Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• ·         Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
• ·         Communicable diseases and infection control
• ·         Working Time Regulations 1998
• ·         Care Standard Act 2000
• ·         Control of exposure to Hazardous to Health 1999
• ·         Food Safety Act 1990 and Food Hygiene Regulations 2005.
• ·         Environmental Protection Act 1990.

¬An explanation of how health and safety policies and procedures protect people using social care settings.

All of the above mentioned legislations are crucial part of health and safety. Every piece of legislation describes not only clear guidance of responsibilities but also how should we maintain health and safety to eliminate risks for the people using social care settings. Let alone, Food hygiene regulation 2005, which explains the responsibilities, involves handling food safely in order to avoid contamination and food poisoning. Environmental protection act 1990 which describes the responsibilities involves handling clinical wastes in order to prevent harm to the environment. Control of exposure to hazardous to health act 1999 explains the responsibilities involve handling hazardous substances such as reduce using hazardous substances or using less hazardous substances and reducing exposure level as much as possible. So, it is very important for us to follow health and safety policies and procedures to eradicate risks from workplace and maintain safe working environment.

¬A comparison of the differences in the main health and safety responsibilities of each of the following-

Social Care Worker       Take care of their own health and safety as well as others.  Co-operate with their employer by following policies and procedures.   Must use personal protective equipment as necessary.   Must adhere to achieve training and follow instruction.   Not to misuse or tamper with anything provided for health and safety or welfare.

Employer/Manager ·         Provide safe and risk free working environment. ·         Provide equipments. ·         Deal with hazardous substances safely. ·         Provide information, instruction, training and supervision as necessary. ·         Ensuring equipments are safe to use and safe system of work are set and followed.

Others (such as visitor, supporters, volunteers and contractors) ·         Respect and obey the rules and legislation imposed by authority. ·         Follow the instruction and guidance as provided (Such as not to use lift in the event of fire, not to block the fire exit etc.) ·         Co-operate with employer and workers if anything has been noticed may cause harm to others or concern to others health and safety.

By Md. Foisal Miah Talukdar