Why is health and safety important in care settings?
In care providing settings, it is crucial to implement fundamental care home health and safety protocols to safeguard both employees and patients against accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Employers and care providers bear a legal and moral obligation to ensure a secure work environment for their staff. Neglecting this responsibility can lead to injuries, illnesses, and potentially fatal outcomes, with significant repercussions for both the employee and the business. A case in point is the 2020 incident in which Sentinel Health Care Limited was required to pay £167,670 in fines for breaching health and safety regulations. This was due to the death of a patient under their care as a result of exposure of Legionella bacteria within the care home. Sentinel Health Care Limited pleaded guilty to two charges under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Overview and relevant regulations and legislation
At the time of writing, for care homes and residential care settings, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates the health and safety of these establishments. However, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and local authorities also carry responsibilities for health and safety in care homes in terms of inspection, regulation and prosecution.
All in all, the HSE, CQC and local authority Trading Standards can all bring prosecutions against care providers if they breach health and safety standards and regulations. Thus, it is important to be aware of all of the relevant health and safety guidelines for care homes.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The HSE states that employers are obligated to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of their employees at work. This implies that your care organisation holds the responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of its staff. Hence, it is crucial to ensure a hazard-free workplace, which includes addressing fire risks and hazardous substances. It is also important to take proactive steps, like providing fire safety training and effectively managing materials and cleaning procedures, to mitigate environmental hazards in the workplace.
Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 12 is, according to the CQC, a regulation which exists to “prevent people receiving unsafe care and treatment, and prevent avoidable harm or risk of harm”.
As a result, care providers must ensure that their premises (if applicable) and any equipment used is safe and available in sufficient quantities to support their patients. Effective medicine management in care homes must be followed, including being properly supplied, safely managed, and administered correctly. Whilst the CQC understands that not all incidents and hazards can be prevented, the care provider must be able to demonstrate that they have taken all possible steps to minimise any risks and provide safe care and treatment of their patients.
Other regulations
You can also read more about the breakdown of other applicable regulations and legislation relating to health and safety protocols for care homes and other care settings, created by Skills for Care, which gives insight into other laws and regulations that can be applicable to care settings.
Some of the hazards in a care home
Below we have compiled a list of the most common types of hazards and potential incidents in a care home or domiciliary care setting. Although this list is not exhaustive, these examples show the wide array of the types of potential dangers and incidents that could happen in any care setting.
Each of the above hazards can have disastrous consequences within your care organisation if not properly addressed. For example, employees could be injured by a slip hazard, or your patients could be left vulnerable to hazardous substances if they are not properly handled and contained. Therefore, it is vital that you prepare and equip yourself and your staff with the appropriate knowledge and understanding of health and safety in care homes and other care settings. This is best offered in the form of comprehensive health and safety training courses for all of your care staff members. So, for example, by providing training on moving and handling equipment and patients for your care assistants, you can prevent them from hurting themselves or other people and ensure efficient, safe practices.