SELF REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

UNIT 32 – PROMOTE HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE WORK S

Updated July 2023 JL

Candidate Name Date Journal Completed

Introduction

In your reflective journal, you will be exploring and writing about your knowledge,

understanding and practice in relation to health and safety in the workplace.

Please use all the resources available to you to help you complete your journal. These

include the core eBooks and your Code of Practice/Code of Conduct, Health and Social

Care Standards. (Available in Brightspace or you can borrow from the college library)

Aims and objectives

At the end of this journal, you should understand: -

 Legislation, policies, and procedures underpinning health and safety

 The relevant Codes of Practice/Conduct, and Health and Social Care Standards

informing your practice

 Understanding of your own roles and responsibilities and that of others in terms

of health and safety

 The use of risk assessments

 Minimising risks of spreading infection

 Managing hazardous substances

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 The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

2013 RIDDOR

What is health and safety?

Health and safety legislation is there to protect the employer, the employee and the

people accessing the service, more commonly referred to as service users. The Health

and Safety at Work Act 1974 has several regulations embedded within it, which can be

seen above. You may be more familiar with some of the acronyms used such as

COSHH and RIDDOR. You will also cover Health and Safety legislation and regulations

in your mandatory training.

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 Exploring responsibilities

Using the core course materials and any training materials from your workplace

complete the following task

Reflective task 1

In terms of Health and Safety, describe below the responsibilities of your

1a. employer
1b. your manager
1c. you the employee.

2. Name your organisations Health and safety policy and identify one that you as an
employee are responsible for.

Reflection PC’s/Outcomes Knowledge

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
1a. Employers have a duty to: 32.6

1b. Managers Have a duty to:

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1c. Employees have a duty to: 32.28

2. CL26

References

Assessor Feedback

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Risk Assessment

As part of your role, you will help formulate risk assessments in your place of work.

You may not necessarily complete a risk assessment, but you will pass on observations

to your senior which will help inform and develop the risk assessments. Risk

assessments are a fluid document and subject to change as the needs of the individual

or place changes. We all have a varying interpretation of risks and hazards, but

collectively we reach a consensus which, in turn, forms the assessment. You will follow

risk assessments when undertaking tasks in your workplace. However, to make a risk

assessment you need to understand what a hazard is and what is a risk. See the

diagram to help you.

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Measures in Place to Reduce Risks

Carrying out a risk assessment is about identifying the risks and hazards in your

workplace that might cause harm to patient/service user, visitors and staff. ...

evaluating the risks from the hazards, with decisions being made on whether current

safety policies and procedures are adequate.

Example of a risk assessment

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 What does TILE stand for?
TILE is a commonly used acronym that stands for task, individual, load
and environment; four factors that should be taken into account before
performing a manual handling job. The legislation states that risk
assessments should be completed before employees have to partake in
manual handling, and this acronym helps to remember the different areas
that need to be considered before deciding whether a task is safe to carry
out.

TILE covers the four key areas of manual handling:

 Task - the nature of the manual handling task

 Individual - the abilities of the individual or group of people who are
completing the manual handling task
 Load - the characteristics of the load that needs to be handled
 Environment - the layout and terrain of the environment in which the
manual handling task is performed

Each of these factors must be carefully considered before a manual

handling task is carried out, and TILE can be used by both employers and
employees who are evaluating the risk a task poses or deciding on the
safest way to handle a load.

Reflective task 2

2a. Describe the principles of risk assessment and risk management (use your core books

to assist you)

2b. Think about a recent shift, describe where you located a risk assessment, how you

checked the risk assessment and used it to carry out a transfer. Remember to include the

date of your practice example where you undertook safe moving and handling procedures

(using TILE) noted above .

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2c. Given an example from your workplace describing how you examined the area for any

hazards, how you removed any potential hazards, reported any issues pertaining to health

and safety,

2d. Describe hazards that you need to consider when working alone

Include a relevant code of practice, and health and social care standard in your writing.

Reflection PC’s/Outcomes Knowledge

2a. 32.34

2b 32.20

2c. 32.31

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2d. 32.29

Code Of Practice in relation to Health and Safety 32.6

Health & Social Care Standard in relation to Health and 32.6

Safety

References

Assessor Feedback

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Falls assessment

The prevalence of falls in older people and those with a disability, and the

consequences that a fall can have on an individual’s life including not only the physical

harm such as fractures, breaks, head and other injuries, even death, but also the harm

to that individual’s wellbeing through loss of confidence, independence or ability to

continue doing the things that are important to them. In 2017–2018, over 37,000

people – 22,400 of whom were over the age of 65 – were admitted to hospital because

of a fall (Scottish Government, 2019).

Building on this the Scottish Government has in draft form the replacement National

Falls and fracture Prevention Strategy 2019-2024.

The strategy focuses on factors that increase the likelihood of falls:

 the ageing process, which for some people, such as those with learning

disabilities, may begin to have an impact earlier in life

 underlying long-term conditions (such as dementia or stroke), visual

impairment or frailty

 deconditioning caused by physical inactivity and/or being sedentary

 osteoporosis, with affected adults being at higher risk of harm through fragility

fractures.

The strategy has 4 central ambitions that it wants to achieve

1. Build an integrated approach

2. Build resilience at population level

3. Take action earlier

4. Target more specialist, personalised care and support

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(Scottish Government, 2019)

You as a carer can contribute to falls prevention in numerous ways such as

 recognising and reporting increased frailty

 identifying any decline in vision, hearing or mobility

 reporting foot problems or hazardous footwear

 identifying, minimizing or removing hazards

 safety checking homes

 monitoring the effects of medication

 encouraging physical activity including supporting with Physiotherapy exercise

Task 3

a. Describe three factors that increase people’s risk of falls and describe

measures in your work place to minimise risk of falls

b. Where would you locate your falls risk assessment in the workplace

Reflection PC/Outcome Knowledge

3a. 32.33

3b. 32.33

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 References

Assessor Feedback

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Infection control

NHS Scotland produced the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual within

which there is guidance on SICPS. Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) are

used by all staff working in all local authority care settings and the local NHS.

Sources of (potential) infection include blood and other body fluids, secretions or

excretions (excluding sweat), non-intact skin or mucous membranes and any

equipment or items in the care environment that could have become contaminated.

The application of SICPs during care delivery is determined by assessing risk to and

from individuals. This includes the task, level of interaction and/or the anticipated level

of exposure to blood and/or other body fluids. To protect effectively against infection

risks SICPs must be used consistently by all staff. SICPs implementation monitoring

must also be ongoing to ensure compliance with safe practices and to demonstrate

ongoing commitment to patient, staff and visitor safety

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 There are 10 elements of SICPs please detail what they are CL26, 27 K32.24

TASK 4 – Identify the 10 elements of SICPs below.

Elements of SICPs
1

10

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Reflective task 5

5a. Give an example of you implementing one standard infection control precautions

which is in place in the work setting.

5b. Give an example of how your own health and hygiene can minimise the spread of

infection

5c. Give an example of how you take responsibility for your own health and well being

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Reflection Pc’s/ Knowledge
outcomes
5a. 32.25

5b. 32.30

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5c. 32.32

Assessor Feedback

RIDDOR in Health & Social Care

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR is the law that requires employers, and other people in control of work

premises, to report and keep records of:

 work-related accidents which cause death

 work-related accidents which cause certain serious injuries (reportable injuries)

 diagnosed cases of certain industrial diseases

and

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  certain ‘dangerous occurrences’ (incidents with the potential to cause harm) in

Health & Social

arCK30 K22.29

Reflective task 6

6a. Give 3 examples of an environmental emergency that you may come across in your

workplace for example spillage, fire alarm going off, power cut.

6b. Give 3 examples of Health emergencies you may come across in your workplace.

6c. Then Give an actual practice examplesof a time when you dealt with a Health

Emergency . Remember to describe what happened ,your actions, how you supported SU,

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how you summoned help , recording of incident etc

PC’s/Outcomes Knowledge
6a. 32.27

6b. 32.27

6c. 32.29, 30, 31,

32, 33, 34, 35,
36

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References

Assessor Feedback

Health and Safety Regulations

Reflective task 7

7a. Explain what the acronym COSHH stands for and give an example of when you have

applied this in your practice.

7b. Explain what the acronym RIDDOR stands for and give an example of when you have

applied this in your practice. ( example can be used from Health emergency Recording )

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7c. Explain the purpose of the Manual Handling Regulations.

Reflection PC’s/Outcomes Knowledge

7a. 32.24

7b. 32.26

7c. 32.31

References

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Assessor Feedback

Reflective task 8

Service Users & Staff Safety and Security is paramount .

This can pose challenges in monitoring and restricting access to the public areas of a Care

Home , which brings challenges to ensuring that the site is safe for staff, Service users and

visitors.This is also the case in peoples own homes and you ensuring only people have the

right to enter do so

How do you practice to keep your colleague's and Service Users safe ?

8 (a) Give an actual example from your practice where you have checked people’s right to
enter or to be in and around the premises and the environment in which you are working

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8 ( b) Give an actual example from your practice where you have had to take action in line
with policies and procedures to deal with people who do not have the right to be there
Reflection PC’s/Outcomes Knowledge
8 (a) 32.7

8( a) 32.8

Assessor Guidance
Please check you have:-

 Typed or written in your name and the date of the evidence on pack.
 Written legislation with its full title as demonstrated below –

The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974

 Written out what the Codes and Standards actually say in the following format.

SSSC Codes of Practice

6.1 Meet relevant standards of Practice and work in a lawful, safe and effective way.

Health and Social Care Standards

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3.20 I am protected from harm, neglect, abuse, bullying and exploitation by people who
have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.
 Removed any names or places to fully anonymise your work. For example: - do not
 use St Rognvalds Care Home. Please use Care Home/workplace.

Next Steps

Please read Assessor Guidance above, submit, and once assessed you may be asked to

write additional information by your assessor.

You will receive additional guidance from your assessor to help guide you through the

claims not covered in this reflective journal. You may be asked to complete a reflective

account, answer written or oral questions, participate in a professional discussion with

your assessor, your assessor may observe you in the workplace or obtain a witness

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testimony from your employer. All of these are commonly referred to as evidence for

your portfolio.

Your assessor can formulate an assessment plan to help guide your writing, this can be

in a variety of different formats to suit your learning style, or you may wish to follow

the claims in the units and answer the claims independently.

Well done on completing your reflective journal, once received your assessor has 3

weeks to assess your work and offer feedback.

References

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual, (n.d.) Standard Infection Control

Precautions (SICPS) [online] available from https://www.nipcm.scot.nhs.uk/chapter-1-

standard-infection-control-precautions-sicps/ ( accessed 21/6/22)

Scottish Government (2014) The Prevention and Management of Falls in the Community,

A framework for Action for Scotland 2014 / 2015. [online]. Available from

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0044/00448210.pdf

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 Scottish Government (2019) National falls and fracture prevention strategy 2019-2024

draft: consultation

[online]. Available from https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-falls-fracture-

prevention-strategy-scotland-2019-2024/

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