News
Health and Safety Update (June 2009)
Management of Health and Safety in Care Homes 2009/10
HSE has published new guidance for Local Authorities whose
employees inspect the management of health and safety in care homes
in 2009/10.
The guide aims to reduce injuries and incidences of ill health in
care homes. In 2007/08 there were 4,503 injuries to employees
and 1,049 to service users. Poor compliance with key health and
safety requirements was found during HSE inspections in
2008/09.
From a sample of 74 inspections in England and Wales, the following
65 improvement notices were issued:
- bedside rails – 26
- legionella – 18
- falls/windows - 9
- hot water/surface – 2
- manual handling – 2
- LOLER – 2
- latex – 2
- management of asbestos – 2.
Following a police investigation into alleged cases of neglect
in several care homes in Wales, the HSE is writing to all care
homes in England, Scotland and Wales reminding them of their
health, safety and care compliance requirements.
Between February and March 2009, the Health and Social Care
Services Unit ran 18 care home seminars in four regions (Scotland,
Yorkshire and the North East, South West and East and South
East). An inspection campaign will be run in these four
regions.
The HSE recommends releasing a press notice prior to and following
the inspection campaign to raise awareness of the issues.
The HSE/LA should inform CSCI of any significant interventions
planned, and inspectors in Scotland and Wales should contact the
Care Commission in Scotland or the Care and Social Services
Inspectorate in Wales, respectively.
When undertaking an inspection, particular attention should be
given to:
- manual handling, including reviewing individual handling
assessments
- slips and trips
- service user health and safety issues, including risks
associated with hot water, hot surfaces, bedside rails and falls
from windows
- legionella.
Issues that could also be addressed include:
- dermatitis
- asbestos management
- challenging behaviour
- migrant workers.