Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care Sophie Bevan Unit 3

What did we look at last week? Hazards What did we look at last week?

Hazardous waste, substances and infections

Hazardous Substances Hazardous Substances are used in many workplaces and take many different forms. Solids, liquids, gases, mists and fumes can be present in the workplace. Exposure to hazardous substances can affect the body in many different ways. Skin contact, inhalation and ingestion can cause damage.

Hazardous Substances In legislation, hazardous substances are defined in a number of ways. In The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), for example, they are those substances classified as toxic, very toxic, corrosive, harmful or irritant. Biological agents and dusts in substantial concentrations are also classified as hazardous substances. Task 1 Match the symbols with the hazard labels

What risks do hazardous substances present? Hazardous substances can cause short and long-term health problems, (cleaner or joiner comparison for example). They can cause serious ill health including cancers, dermatitis and asthma. There are legal obligations for employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to preserve the health of their employees Task 2 Complete hazardous substances worksheet

Hazardous Infection Infection control is underpinned by duties and responsibilities laid down in Acts of Parliament and regulations Employers have a duty of care to both service users and staff and must undertake risk assessments This duty of care extends to the safe disposal of waste

Hazardous Infections Infections can be easily spread amongst people in care settings. Task 3 Complete infection control sheet It is important that you have an awareness of how infections are spread and what you should do to prevent this. Task 4 Complete dealing with spillages sheet

Hazardous Waste Disposing of Waste Task 5 How would you handle the following situations? Bear in mind personal protection when dealing with each situation. What should you wear? Do you have any open wounds that need covering? What methods of disposal and actions are required?

Situation As a care worker in the community you arrive at a client’s home to discover they have suffered a bout of sickness and diarrhoea. They did not make it to the bathroom in time. Their clothes and bedding are soiled and there is a trail of waste leading in to the bathroom. The toilet seat and the wash hand basin are also soiled.

Situation You are assisting a health visitor with a baby health check clinic. A mother arrives with a 3 month old baby and a 2 year old child. The toddler has fallen in to the car park; his head is bleeding an he has a nosebleed. The health visitor asks you to see the toddler while she comforts the mother.

Situation While assisting in a residential nursing home you are tidying the room of an insulin dependent person who has been taken to hospital after collapsing. You spot what appears to be a used syringe on the dresser beside the bed. You believe the needle may be needed to help diagnose their condition

Situation You fall on your way to placement in a hospice, badly grazing your knees and the palms of your hands. Your duties will include handling contaminated waste and contact with patients and infectious illnesses.

References Refer to the Health and Safety Executive for more information www.hse.gov.uk