Under health and safety legislation…
Employers are required to:
| Determine which hazardous substances are present in the workplace. |
| Assess the risks to employees and others from the presence of these hazardous substances. |
| Prevent or control exposure to the hazardous substances to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. |
| Have arrangements in place to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies. |
| Provide information, training, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) with guidance to be followed by employees. |
Employees (that’s you) are required to:
| Co-operate with their employer and follow agreed procedures. |
| Make full and proper use of control measures e.g. using extract ventilation where provided, and report any defects. |
| Report any defects in equipment immediately to the employer as appropriate. |
| Report any accident or incident which may have resulted in the release of a dangerous chemical or substance into the workplace. |
| Use any PPE equipment supplied. |
A risk assessment will be required where hazardous substances are used in the workplace to determine what measures are required to protect anyone who could be at risk of harm. The risk assessment will supplement your policies, procedures and ways of working that must be followed when working with hazardous substances.
Do you know what policies and procedures are in place for COSHH?
If a risk assessment does not exist, you could ask for support to conduct one which will help you to learn about this important process.
If a risk assessment does not exist, you could ask for support to conduct one which will help you to learn about this important process.
In order to conduct a risk assessment…
You will need to know the risk assessment process and legal requirements under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. The risk assessment should cover storing, using and disposing of hazardous substances. You can start with these tasks:
Consider
- How much of each substance is used and how often is it used. Larger quantities or substances that are used will often increase the risk of exposure.
- How is each substance used. If the substances are mixed, poured, sprayed, piped, heated, cooled, etc. The way they are used will determine how you will control the exposures.
- How could people be exposed to the substance and what effect could it have on their health.
- If the substance a solid, liquid, gas, mist or fume. Will the substance damage skin, lungs, and eyes through skin contact, absorption, ingestion, inhalation or injection.
Your workplace must have a specified and secure place for storing hazardous substances.
Safe storage will consider:
Safety precautions
These are some of the main things you will need to follow:
- Correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Only use products in their original containers.
- Always read and follow manufacturers’ instructions.
- Body fluids such as blood, urine, vomit and faeces must be cleaned up immediately.
- Items used for cleaning spills like paper towels should be disposed of as clinical waste.
- Contaminated linen should ideally be washed immediately if you work in an individual’s home. In a residential setting, it should be separated from other linen in an identifiable bag. It is essential to use a hot wash setting.
- Use warning signs if necessary to warn others of danger.
I know some of this can seem a bit boring but when you learn about a man with Alzheimer’s Disease who died because he ate a cleaning tablet left out in a care home which looked like a sweet, you will understand why it is so important. This sad story is covered in greater detail in our COSHH course.
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Class Sessions
1- 1. Identify legislation relating to general health and safety in social care
2- 2. Describe the main points of health and safety policies and procedures
3- 3. Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of yourself, employer and others
4- 4. List tasks relating to health and safety that should not be carried out without training
5- 5. Explain how to access additional support and information about health and safety
6- 6. Describe different types of accidents and sudden illness that may occur in your work setting
7- 7. Explain why it is important to assess health and safety risks in situations and activities
8- 8. Describe how and when to report identified health and safety risks
9- 9. Identify key pieces of legislation that relate to moving and assisting
10- 10. List tasks relating to moving and assisting that you must not carry out unless you are competent
11- 11. Demonstrate how to move and assist people and objects safely
12- 12. List different types of accidents and sudden illness that may occur at work
13- 13. Describe the procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur
14- 14. List the emergency first aid actions you are and are not allowed to carry out
15- 15. Describe the agreed ways of working in relation to medication
16- 16. Describe the agreed ways of working in relation to healthcare tasks
17- 17. List the tasks relating to medication and healthcare procedure you must not do
18- 18. Describe the hazardous substances in your workplace
19- 19. Demonstrate safe practices for storing, using and disposing of hazardous substances
20- 20. Explain how to prevent fires from starting or spreading
21- 21. Describe what to do in the event of a fire
22- 22. Describe the measures designed to protect security at work for you and people you support
23- 23. Explain the agreed ways of working for checking identity of people
24- 24. Recognise common signs and indicators of stress in yourself and others
25- 25. Identify circumstances that tend to trigger stress in yourself and others
26- 26. List ways to manage stress