2. Assessing the environment
As well as assessing the environment you will also need to consider the equipment you need to use, including how it interacts with the environment and ensuring it is in good working order.
Also, care must be taken when using lifting equipment, such as hoists and standaids.
All equipment should be checked before use. This will include a thorough visual inspection to assess for any defects, as well as checking everything is in working order.
Listen
Activity: assess the environment
You have been asked to walk a patient to the bed space. There are 6 potential hazards, 3 of which are linked together, so there are 4 to get right. Can you identify and select the hazards in this environment?
Start this Activity Glove
There is a glove on the bedside cabinet. This may fall and cause a slipping hazard. Discarded gloves may also be an infection risk.
Bed control on chair and under the bed, trailing wires
The bed control should be hooked onto the bed, out of the way. Any wires should be tucked out of the way.
Bed control on chair and under the bed, trailing wires
The bed control should be hooked onto the bed, out of the way. Any wires should be tucked out of the way.
Cup on table
The cup is far too near the edge of the table, it also may contain a hot drink.
Sheet draped on bed
The sheet is trailing down onto the floor. This is a tripping hazard.
Activity Complete
You have now completed the activity. The hazards were:
- The glove on the bedside cabinet
- The cup on the edge of the table
- The bed control on the chair, under the bed and trailing wires
- The sheet draped over the bed
Here is a picture of the scene with the hazards removed
That was not one of the hazards we were looking for
Unfortunately that was not one of the hazards we were looking for within this activity. Please try selecting another potential hazard
If you are struggling to complete this activity please take a look at the environment as it should be