You have been asked to prepare three hand outs for new staff attending an induction. The hand outs are to provide information on the following topics.

This hand out must include:

Cvi A description of:
a) The types of hazardous substances that may be found in social care settings.
b) The main points of the procedures for handling medication.

Cvii An explanation of:
 a) Safe practices for storing, using and disposing of hazardous substances, including medication, safely.
b) The dangers associated with not following safe practices.

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

for Inductees

This handout provides information to new staff about the importance of controlling hazardous substances.

Types of Hazardous Substances

There are several types of hazardous substances that may be found in a social care setting.

Medication may be beneficial to an individual but can be harmful if taken by others that have not been prescribed it, so it must be controlled.

Bodily fluids (urine, semen etc.) can be harmful to others, especially if it is from somebody with an illness or infection.

Some substances, such as bleach or paint, are toxic which means they are poisonous to humans. Other substances, such as detergent, can be an irritant which means it can cause itching soreness and discomfort.

Handling Medication

Medication should be handled in line with legislation and company policies and procedures.

Support staff should ensure that medication is ordered ahead of time and when received the name, dosage and amount should be recorded along with whom the medication is for. It should then be stored in a locked drawer or according to manufacturer’s instructions. Weekly drug stock checks should be performed.

When administering medication, it should be recorded on a MAR sheet. Hands should be washed thoroughly before administering medication and if direct contact is needed then gloves should be worn. The individual, medication, dosage, time and any special instructions should be checked before administration.

If medication is no longer required, it should be returned to the pharmacy and an inventory of what has been returned should be signed by the pharmacist.

Safe Practices

Hazardous substances should be stored, used and disposed of according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which can be found on the packaging.

They should only be stored in their correct and labelled containers, and ideally in a secure area.

You should always read the label before using a hazardous substance and some substances may only be used by someone with relevant training. Personal Protective Equipment should be used where necessary and substances should not be mixed.

Any problems should be reported immediately.

Dangers

If safe practices are not followed correctly, it can result in serious harm, illness or death to yourself or others.

In addition, it would contravene legislation and company policies and procedures, which could lead to disciplinary action, dismissal and potential legal action against you.

It may also result in others using hazardous substances incorrectly.

You have been asked to prepare three hand outs for new staff attending an induction. The hand outs are to provide information on the following topics.

Hand out 2 – Infection control

This hand out must include:

Ciii  A description of the different routes through which infection can get into the body.

Civ   An explanation of:
a) Prevention methods including hand washing, the social care workers and other’s personal hygiene.
b) The social care workers role in supporting others to promote best practice in infection control.

Cv An evaluation of:
a) Different types of personal protective equipment (PPE).
b) How using PPE can help to prevent the spread of infection.

INFECTION CONTROL

for Inductees

This handout provides information to new staff about the importance of infection control.

Routes of Infection

Infections can enter the body via several different routes:

• Respiratory – pathogens in the air are breathed into the lungs
• Breaks in skin – pathogens enter the bloodstream through the skin via cuts, needle pricks, insect bites etc.
• Digestive tract – pathogens are ingested in food or drink (or other items that go into the mouth)
• Bodily fluids – pathogens enter the body via bodily fluids (e.g. semen during sexual intercourse)

Prevention

Infection can be prevented by maintaining a high level of hygiene.

This means washing hands thoroughly and regularly and always before handling food or medication.

The workplace should be kept clean and tidy and surfaces cleaned with antibacterial wipes or spray. Toilets and sinks should be cleaned with bleach regularly.

Food should be stored correctly and thrown away when it has gone past its use-by date. Bins should be emptied regularly.

Legislation should be adhered to (COSHH, RIDDOR etc.) and illness should be prevented from spreading by using tissues when coughing or sneezing and avoiding close contact.

A social care worker also has the responsibility to promote best practices for hygiene to their colleagues and other individuals in the service setting to prevent the risk of infection. This can mean encouraging individuals to maintain a high level of hygiene (reminding them to wash their hands after going to the toilet, prompting them to clean their kitchen etc.)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is used to protect individuals from potential infection by creating a protective barrier between people and pathogens.

Types of PPE include:

• Gloves – protect the hands from picking up pathogens and spreading them via touch
• Aprons – prevents pathogens being transferred via clothing
• Masks – prevents pathogens being breathed into the lungs
• Hair nets – prevents contamination via hair.

You have been asked to prepare three hand outs for new staff attending an induction. The hand outs are to provide information on the following topics.

Hand out 1 – Moving and handling

This hand out must include:

Ci   A description of the main points of health and safety legislation that relates to moving and handling.

Cii Explanations of:
a) How following principles for safe moving and handling protects those in social care setting from injury or harm.
b) The consequences of not following an individual’s care plan or engaging with them when assisting moving and handling.
c) Situations that may require additional supports necessary for safer moving and handling.

MOVING & HANDLING

for Inductees

This handout provides information to new staff about the importance of moving and handling correctly.

Legislation

As well as the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, there is additional legislation governing moving and handling.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992/2002 explains how to avoid, assess and reduce risk of injury from manual handling.

The Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 is a code of practice that applies to the use of lifting equipment.

Purpose

The purpose of this legislation together with company policies is to protect everybody from harm or injury that could be caused from incorrect moving and handling.

By following the principles of safe moving and handling you will minimise risk of injury, be able to identify potential hazards and work with others to develop safer ways of working, which will protect everybody in your setting. You will also be able to identify areas where you or others may need additional training, such as how to use a piece of equipment safely.

Consequences

If you do not follow an individual’s care plan or do not engage with them when assisting moving and handling, you could cause harm or injury to them or yourself. This could also lead to disciplinary action, dismissal or legal action.

Their care plan has been meticulously written to ensure that procedures are carried out in the safest way possible and cutting corners increase the risk of harm.

If you do not work in partnership with the individual in assisted moving/handling, they will not know what it is that you are doing and what they can do to help. It can also cause them anxiety. All individuals have the right to be involved in all aspects of their care and to have their needs and preferences respected. Failure to do so can result in a breakdown of the relationship you have with them and their refusal to work with you as well as it being against the law.

Additional Support

Certain situations may require additional support for moving and handling from others or from equipment.

Some items may be too heavy to move easily or too bulky, awkward or unstable.

The environment may be cramped or have insufficient room to manoeuvre.

You may not have the correct equipment, the equipment may not work correctly or you have not had the training to use the equipment.