5. Keeping others safe
Although the actions to keep yourself and others safe often overlap, there are further assessments to be done to insure you do not injure your patient.
Environment
Assessing your environment is a part of your risk assessment. Are there hazards in the environment?
For instance:
- Is the floor slippy?
- Is the lighting adequate?
- Are there obstables in your route?
Also, a part of your environment is the equipment you are using. This means machinery or tools you use to do your work. Your workplace needs to provide equipment that is suitable for its intended use, is regularly maintained and is used by those with appropriate training.
When you are risk assessing, ensure you know how to use any equipment correctly. Check it for damage and wear and tear and use all equipment as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Legal
HASAWA (1974), MHOR (1992), LOLER (1998), PUWER (1998)
Considering the safety of the individual is covered by the overarching Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), and the Manual Handling Operations 1992 (MHOR) legislation specifies that risk must be reduced using the TILE assessment.
The Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) legislation covers operations 'concerned with the lifting and lowering of a load', this refers to both lifting objects and people.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) act covers any work equipment.
Any equipment used in the workplace must be:
- Suitable for its intended use.
- Regularly maintained and inspected.
- Only used by people with adequate and appropriate training.
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