Health and safety

Information and resources on various aspects of health and safety. Explore the links below to learn more.

• Key legislationOpen

  The following are the two major pieces of legislation in this area:

  • the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which promotes a joint staff/management approach to health and safety issues
  • the Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations 1999, which require all employers and the self-employed to assess the risks from their work to anyone who may be affected by their activities.

  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body that enforces health and safety legislation. Its website carries a number of documents that are essential for employers and employees. These are listed in the Key additional resources section.

  In a social and health care context, consideration must be given to specific regulations such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and systems of infection control.

  In the past, the focus on health and safety at work concerned itself with minimising physical hazards and situations that posed a risk. This thinking has now broadened to consider work-life balance within the context of health and wellbeing. The Department of Health has published a number of reports relating to this, an example of which is Enabling effective delivery of health and wellbeing (DH 2010).

  While the health and safety of the workforce, including volunteers, is the primary focus in this section, employers and managers have a duty of care to people who use their services and carers.

• Responsibility for health and safetyOpen

  The basis of health and safety law is the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. This sets out an employer's general responsibilities towards employees and members of the public. It also covers an employee's responsibilities for themselves and each other.

  Trade Union nominated health and safety representatives have a key role to play in upholding standards and bringing risks to the attention of management. When consulting the legislation you should note that parts of this Act have been superseded by later legislation.

  As an employer or manager you should consult HSE if you need clarification.

• Essential standards of quality and safetyOpen

  The regulator for health and social care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), identifies 16 essential standards of quality and safety, which providers are expected to meet. These are:

  1. Respecting and involving people who use services

  2. Consent to your care and treatment

  3. Care and welfare of people who use services

  4. Meeting nutritional needs

  5. Cooperating with other providers

  6. Safeguarding people who use services from abuse

  7. Cleanliness and infection control

  8. Management of medicines

  9. Safety and suitability of premises

  10. Safety, availability and suitability of equipment

  11. Requirements relating to workers

  12. Staffing

  13. Supporting workers

  14. Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision

  15. Complaints

  16. Records.

  Many employers/providers of adult, regulated services are already meeting these standards as it is a condition of their registration; however, checking your basic understanding of these areas in relation to health, safety and wellbeing (6-14) is essential.

• Key additional resourcesOpen

  • Health and Safety Executive: suggested resources from the HSE website are:
    • Management Standards for Tackling Work-Related Stress
    • Five Steps to Risk Assessment
    • IND(G)163 Five Steps to Risk Assessment
    • IND(G)281 Work-Related Stress
    • IND(G)69 Violence at Work
    • IND(G)73 Working Alone
    • IND(G)143 Getting to Grips with Manual Handling
    • IND(G)333 Back in Work
    • IND(G)399 Managing Sickness Absence and Return to Work in Small Businesses
    • IND(G)347 Basic Advice on First Aid At Work
    • IND(G)253 Controlling Legionella in Nursing and Residential Care Homes
    • IND(G)345 Health and Safety Training
    • IND(G)275 Managing Health and Safety
    • IND(G)322 Need Help on Health and Safety Training
    • HSG220 Health and Safety in Care Homes
    • HSG225 Handling Home Care
  • Health and safety (section on Unite's website).
  • The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (legislation).
  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (legislation).
  • Public Health Agency (website).
  • Safety guidance for social care staff (section on the Skills for Care website).
  • Skills for Care website; consult the following sections: Guidance for employers, A guide for individuals, Review of progress and Lone working.
  • What are the essential standards of quality and safety? (document on the CQC website).