Health & Safety

Learner Work Book

Chapter 1

Health & Safety

This workbook is designed to provide all employees with the essential knowledge and understanding of health and safety requirements within the workplace. The course has been designed in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Aims:

To provide Learners with the under-pinning knowledge to enable them to work safely, act responsibly and prevent accidents occurring.

Objectives:

By the end of the course, Learners will be able to:

• Discuss the employer and employee responsibilities under health and safety legislation

• Define what a hazard, risk and risk assessment are

• Understand the importance of preventing work related ill-health inc. stress

• Discuss the principles of accident prevention

• Discuss how COSHH regulations apply to their workplace

• Outline the principles of fire safety

• Know how to reduce the spread of infection

• Know the principles of moving and handling safely and medication

• Understand how to handle and store food safely

Course Content:

This course covers the following:

• Health and safety legislation

• Factors affecting health and safety

• Employee and employer responsibilities

• Hazards, risks and risk assessments

• Causes of accidents

• Fire, gas leak, flood, intruders, and security breach

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

• Welfare issues

Section 1

Aims & Objectives

2

Activity 1

CAN YOU THINK OF A DEFINITION OF WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

What are the costs of poor health & safety standards?

What are the benefits of good health & safety standards?

3

1. Occupational

2. Environmental

3. Human

Occupational factors

Risk can relate directly to the actual type of work that you do -

• Moving and handling of loads or people

• Working with distressed residents

• Using equipment

• Exposure to hazardous substances

• Exposure to infectious diseases

• Working night shifts

• Working alone

Environmental Factors

Working conditions that can contribute to risk include:

• Standards of hygiene

• Design and layout of work areas

• Safe floors

• Safe entry and exit routes

• Noise

• Lighting

• Heating and ventilation

• Facilities

Human Factors

Individual behaviour and attitudes increasing risk include:

• Lack of knowledge

• Lack of capability

• Lack of concentration

• Lack of communication

• Poor management

Section 3

Factors affecting Health & Safety

4

What do you think are Employers’/Managers’ responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety?

What do you think are Employees’/social care workers’ responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety?

What do you think are Clients’/individuals’ responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety?

Section 4

Activity 2

5

Chapter 2

Video Resources

This section includes videos on key Health & Safety issues. Watch the videos and then complete the assessment at the end of this booklet. If you have a SMART phone or tablet you can scan the QR Code below and watch the videos on your mobile device.