Health & Safety in Caring Environments - Schools, Residential Homes, Clinics etc

IntroductionCreche

If you run a business that cares for or looks after the young, the ill or the very old - such as a crèche, playgroup, clinic or residential care home - you need to understand the specific health and safety needs of both your clients and employees.

This guide outlines some of the key health and safety issues in care-service businesses. Have you asked yourself the following questions?

  • Do I have to register my business with the relevant authority?
  • Does my business comply with key health and safety requirements?
  • Do I ensure I employ suitable staff?

Seeking the right advice can go a long way to keeping your premises and facilities clean and safe, and your staff and clients safe from accident and injury.

Your responsibilities for health and safety

You have a legal responsibility for the health and safety of your employees and anyone else, eg customers, who may be affected by your business and its activities. Health and safety is about preventing people from being harmed at work or becoming ill, by taking the right precautions and providing a satisfactory working environment.

Seeking advice on how to implement good health and safety practices will help you comply with the law and provide an acceptable workplace. The points listed below outline some of the main steps you need to take.

You are responsible for the health and safety of everyone affected by your business and its activities.

To comply with health and safety regulations there's a range of key obligations you must fulfil:

  • Report any accidents,injuries and near misses. This will help you identify potential problem areas.
  • Carry out regular risk assessments, making sure you consider the increased risk that hazards may pose to vulnerable clients. Control measures may need to be included in the risk assessment for individual clients.
  • Ensure safe storage, handling and disposal of all hazardous substances, eg cleaning products, medicines and clinical waste.Care Home

Drawing up a health and safety policy is an important step to take. It should take account of the special circumstances faced by care-service businesses and the specific needs of vulnerable individuals. For instance, you may require a detailed fire evacuation plan to protect young children or elderly people with limited mobility.

Good health and safety practice can have a positive impact on your insurance claims and also improves your reputation with customers, the local community and your employees.

Seeking professional advice will help you to understand how well you identify and manage health and safety hazards, it will guide you through the needs of your business and improve the quality of care provided to your clients and ensure safe working environment for your employees.

For more information please call BSA on 01483 467270 or email bsims@bsims.co.uk