LO2 - Legislation, Policies, Regulations Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is Legislation?
Legislation is a collection of laws passed by Parliament. These laws state and protect the rights and entitlements of individuals and organisations.
Health and Safety at Work Act
- Basis for other health and safety regulations and guidelines
- Established the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
- Established the key duties and responsibilities of all employers and employees in work settings
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Uphold Health and Safety
- Can enter premises to inspect and question staff
- Gives advice to improve practice
Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR)
- Employers must carry out risk assessments
- Competent individuals manage health, safety and security and procedures for emergency situations that may occur
- Employers must provide information, training and supervision
Data Protection Act
- Protects security of personal information
- Information is accurate and kept up to date
- Information is kept secured
- Information is used only for the purpose for which it was intended
Food Safety Act
- Employees must maintain high standards of personal hygiene
- Employees provided with training in food safety
- Food stored correctly
- Records kept of where food is from so it is traceable
Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations
- Food safety hazards to be identified
- Food preparation and serving areas must be well maintained
- Employers must provide clean protective clothing e.g. hygiene hats, disposable gloves, aprons
Manual Handling Operations Regulations
- Training must be provided for anyone who needs to carry out manual handling as part of their job role
- Any manual handling activities must be risk assessed
- Reduced risk of injury
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
- Employers must report and keep records of work-related injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents
- Work settings must have procedures in place for reporting injuries, diseases and incidents
- Employers must provide information and training on reporting injuries, diseases and incidents
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
- Employers must carry out risk assessments
- COSHH File must be kept up to date
- Substances must be stored in a safe and secure place
- Employers must provide information, training and supervision so that work activities can be carried out safely
Civil Contingencies Act
- Organisations must work together to plan and respond to local and national emergencies
- Organisations (e.g. emergency services), local authorities and health bodies can work together and share information
- Risk assessments are undertaken and emergency plans are put in place
The Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act
- Care providers must share information about a person’s care with other professionals
- Organisations use a consistent identifier when sharing information about a person’s care
- Reduces risk of harm and abuse by removing people convicted of certain offences from the registers
Influences on staff
(Influences of Legislation - Staffing)
- Promotes safe staffing levels as well as the provision of effective supervision, instruction and training of staff
- Having safe staffing levels and correct staff-to-client ratios
- Gives staff a role in implementing and making changes to health, safety and security arrangements in these work settings
Safeguarding
(Influences of Legislation - Staffing)
- The Care Act 2014 – Established a new statutory farmwork which includes adult safeguarding
- The Children’s Act 2004 – Included the paramountcy principle and encourages partnership working for the protection of children
- Working together to safeguard children 2015 – Provides statutory guidance on interagency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
Health and Safety
(Influences of Legislation - Staffing)
Employees should:
- Follow systems of work in place for their safety
- Co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters
- Inform their employer if they identify any hazards
- Take care to ensure that their activities do not put others at risk
Training
(Influences of Legislation - Staffing)
- Employees are required to take part in training relevant to their job role
–> So employees have the relevant skills and knowledge to perform their duties to the highest standards
–> Could include taking on extra qualifications or additional training
Influences on premises
(Influences of Legislation - Premises)
- Legislation has a direct impact on how social and childcare premises are maintained in terms of ensuring that they are kept clean and in good condition
- Suitable and sufficient ventilation and lighting will ensure that employees work in safe conditions
- Handwashing facilities, materials for cleaning and drying hands as well as changing facilities for employees that are kept in good condition must also be provided
- Escape routes and exits must also be provided which must be free to use at all times
- Signs must also be displayed where necessary to help people identify escape routes and find equipment easily
Hygiene
(Influences of Legislation - Premises)
- Any care setting providing food must comply with food safety regulations and settings are checked on a regular basis by environmental health
- Risk assessments for activities and equipment must be carried out to ensure the safety of all who work in or use the care setting
- Health and safety law required special evacuation equipment should be put in place
- The Equality Act 2010 requires that adaptations should be made to provide access for those with disabilities
- Adaptations should also be made to the building
Influences on practices
(Influences of Legislation - Practices)
- Legislation promotes and encourages good personal hygiene practices that can help to control the spread of infections
- Recording and storing information correctly and securely is also encouraged, requiring the development of workplace processes for reporting and recording accidents, illness and incidents
Name reasons why policies and procedures should be reviewed
- To ensure they reflect any changes in legislation
- To keep them up to date
- To develop new policies for new needs and situations
