OCR Level 2
Cambridge Technicals
in Health and Social Care
Unit 4:
Ensuring safe environments
in Health and Social Care
The importance of Health
and Safety
Health and safety within a health and social care
environment is extremely important.
Something
that health
has theand
Some people
who use
potential
to cause
social care
services
mayharm
not be
able to take responsibility for their
own safety.
Reduce
the hazard
Reduce the
risk of harm
Hazards
Hazards occur in
all types of
environments…
…and come in all
shapes and sizes
It is the responsibility of both the employer and
employees to reduce hazards.
Legislation
There is a range of legislation that covers Health and
Safety. These can be applied to health and social care
environments:
Control of
Substances
Hazardous to
Health
Health and
Safety at Work
Act
Reporting of Injuries,
Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations
Food Safety
Act
Food Safety
Regulations
Manual Handling
Operations
Regulations
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment involves looking at risks in
your environment and identifying ways to reduce
or remove these risks. Here is the risk
assessment process:
Identify hazards
Evaluate the risks
Record your findings
Review your findings and
make necessary changes
Risk Assessment
For example, hospital
cleaning staff have to
work with hazardous
substances…
What is the hazard?
Cleaning substances.
What are the risks?
Employees,
Ill health due to
contact with contractors, patients or
visitors could all be
hazardous
substances. exposed to the hazard.
How do you record
your findings?
Complete a risk
assessment form.
What do you decide
when you review your
findings?
All cleaning products to be
securely stored. All employees
to be trained.
What will you learn?
After completing this unit you will:
Know potential
hazards in health
and social care
environments
Know main principles of
health and safety legislation
applied to health and social
care environments
Understand risk
assessment
processes relating to
health or social care
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