Hazards unit 3 hsc

• Types of hazards in health and social care settings 


  Environmental

  biological

  chemical

  psychological

  physical

  muscoskeletal

  working conditions

  lack of security systems
• Environmental hazard eg

  Worn vinyl flooring in hospital

  wet bathroom floor in care home

  frayed carpet in children’s centre
• Biological hazard eg

  Used bandage left on bed in a clinic

  vomit not cleaned up in nursery
• Chemical hazard eg

  Unlocked medical trolley In hospital

  hot oil left unattended in after school club
• Psychological hazards eg

  stress caused by people in dentist waiting room behaving in a challenging way

  tiredness due to work overload due to staff absence in care home
• what hazard is stress caused by children not wanting to participate in activities planned by teachers

  Psychological hazard
• Physical hazard eg

  Loud noise at work can cause ringing in ears, deafness and ear conditions

  radiation from electromagnetic rays such as x rays
• muskoskeletal hazard eg


  Manual handiling of patients and residents can cause back of muscle injuries if not performed properly
• Working conditions 


  Childs bedroom that is very cold and has poor lighting

  noise and distraction to the reception area of an opticians due to maintenance works
• Lack of security customers

  Faulty smoke alarms

  broken security chain on door

  lack of interlocking doors in a school
• What is a hazard 


  Something that can potentially harm someone or cause an affect on someone’s health
• Example of a hazard 


  Broken toy in nursery
• Hazards that can be found in a hospital

  Worn vinyl flooring

  unlocked medicine cabinet
• Hazards that can be found in a nursery playroom

  Broken toys

  vomit that hasn’t been cleaned up

  lack of security systems locking doors
• who can hazards impact

  Employees

  employers

  individuals who require care and support
• How can hazards impact employees ?

  may develop mental illnesses such as depression or stress

  high blood pressure due to workload

  injuries if not trained properly
• How can hazards impact the employer ?

  Taken to court

  be fined

  closing down of business

  poor reputation
• Impacts of hazards 


  Injury or harm

  financial loss

  poor standards of care

  illness
• what are the four main impacts of hazards ?

  Poor standards of care

  injury or harm

  financial loss

  illness
• Types of abuse 


  Intentional

  unintentional
• What is intentional abuse ?

  This is deliberate abuse, such as theft, verbal abuse, sexual abuse , physical abuse and financial
• What is unintentional abuse ?


  Thai isn’t deliberate abuse, this can be caused by being careless about tasks.

  lack of training
• Long term effects for those who have experienced abuse

  Low self esteem

  anger

  anxiety

  mental health issues

  sleep deprived

  trust issues
• Short term effects on those who have experienced abuse

  Bruised, cuts and broken bones

  low self esteem

  poor self image

  anxiety

  sexually transmitted infection
• What are possible effects for abusers in care environments ?

  Imprisonment

  sued

  suspension

  retraining

  OFSTED measures for schools

  care or health environment shut
• Hazards in health care environments e.g hospital, clinic, GP, surgery or dentist.


  Stress caused to those who work in the environment

  accidental spillages of chemicals

  surgical procedures can lead to contact with bodily fluids that contain pathogens
• Potential hazards in care environments

  Vulnerable residents(those who are ill and frail) may be more less immune to getting infections

  • some may have visual or mobility impairments therefore they may be more susceptible to falling
• Potential hazards in child care environments

  Children’s immune systems are more weak and susceptible to infections

  may not recognise potential hazards and pick up food from floor and broken toys
• Potential hazards in public environments

  Slips trips and falls

  food poisoning from restaurants

  harm and injuries due to violence
• hazrds on transports 


  Slips while coming off of bus

  wheelchairs not secure

  faulty seatbelt
• Potential hazards found in nursery playroom

  Broken toys

  broken furniture

  poor lighting

  clutter of objects on floor
• Injury or harm example

  Back injury

  chemical burn

  cuts and bruises
• Illness example 


  Food poison

  mental health illness

  headaches
• Poor standards of care examples

  Feeling tired

  lack of concentration
• Financial loss examples 


  -Loss of earnings due to time off work

  -theft of personal money or belongings
• What is the role of the HSE

  Health and safetey executive is the regulator of health and safety in workplace
• Responsibilities of the HSE

  -Enforce legislation by issuing improvement notices

  -investigations and spot checks
• What is Riddor ?


  Reporting injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations 2013
• What does RIDDOR require employers to do ?

  Report work injuries that lead to:

  • Death
  • cause serious injury
  • incidents that have potential to cause harm
  • diagnosed cases of work related diseases
• influence of legislation on practice

  • promotes and encourages good personal hygiene
  • managers and senior staff write policies and procedures
  • handwashing is hygiene practice