LO1- Hazards

• Risk is the likelihood that a hazard will occur
• Hazard is the potential to cause harm
• Harm is physical or phycological damage or injury to a person
• Types of settings- heath, care, childcare, public and transport environments
• Types of hazards- chemical, biological, environmental, psychological, physical, musculoskeletal, working conditions, working practices, lack of security systems.
• Environmental hazards- worn flooring, loose handrails, untidy environment, unsafe outdoor areas
• Biological Hazards- used bandages and needles, soiled clothes and laundry, vomit and other body fluids on floor, used tissues
• Chemical Hazards- cleaning materials, medication, hot cooking oil
• Psychological Hazards- stress, violence, fatigue, anxiety
• Physical Hazards- Noise, Radiation
• Musculoskeletal Hazards- manual handling, display screen equipment (DSE), broken desks
• Working Conditions- poor lighting, too hot or cold, travelling long distances
• Working Practices- lack of effective training in fire, safeguarding, first aid, long working hours, lack of supervision
• Lack of Security Systems- no locks or alarms, faulty fire alarms, broken security chains, lack of interlocking doors
• Healthcare Settings- Hospitals, physiotherapy clinics, dentist, sexual health clinic, GP surgeries
• Care Settings- residential care home, nursing hone, individual's own home
• Childcare Settings- school, after school clubs, nurseries, childminders,
• Public Settings- cinema, shopping centers, parks, cafes
• Transport- ambulance, minibus, patient transport vans
• Impacts on hazards- Injury or harm, illness, poor standards of care, financial loss
• Impact on employees- develop stress, depression if workload is excessive, back injuries if they have not received adequate training
• Impact on employers- face serious consequences like fines, being closed down due to someone being injured if not maintained properly, risk having their reputation affected or failing an inspection
• Impact on service users- not receive a high standard of care due to understaffing, not following hygiene measures may cause infection, may suffer from financial loss if things get stolen
• Health and Safety Executive(HSE)- main body for enforcing legislation and proving guidance on health and safety in the workplace

  
• HSE can; enter premises, conduct investigations, take samples and photographs, ask questions, give advice, issue instructions that must be carried out by law, inspect documents, take measurements, issue improvement and prohibition notices

  
• Injury or harm- back injuries, chemical burns, cuts and bruise, deafness, fractures, radiation
• Illness- eye strain, food poisoning, headaches, high blood pressure, infections, mental health, staff absence
• Poor standard of care- tired or exhausted, forget to give medication, forget to provide food or drink, lack of concentration, lack of enough time to do their job
• Poor standards of care can cause bed sores, pressure ulcers, bruising due to handling, dehydration, malnutrition, illness gets worse
• Financial loss- loss of earnings due to time off, loss of job, compensation being received, theft of money or belongings
• Physical abuse- hitting, biting
• Sexual Abuse- unwanted contact
• Emotional and psychological- verbal abuse
• Financial exploitation- withholding or taking money
• Neglect- not meeting needs
• Why harm and abuse occurs- isolation of carer, carers are too stressed, resentment towards a vulnerable person, lack of training, prejudice and hostility, financial dependency, inadequate level of support, failure to monitor caregivers
• Unintentional abuse- causes harm to someone without realising
• Intentional abuse- caused by deliberate actions
• Effects of bruises, cuts, broken bones - can lead to low self esteem
• Effect of pregnancy or STI - lead to mental health issues like depression, self harm or suicidal thoughts/ attempts