Part A: Personal Safety
Question 1
Hazard
The personal safety hazard in scenario A is the unlocked front door and the open windows while the client is asleep. In scenario B is the client banging the seat on the train platform. In scenario C, the community member who yells abusive things to the support worker and his client and follows them around the shopping mall. In scenario D, the personal safety hazard is the uneven path that exists in the complex where the client lives. In scenario E, the arrival of all customers at once causing much commotion is the personal safety hazard. In scenario F, a support worker turns up in a client’s home and finds water spillage on the floor. The spill of water on the floor poses a personal safety hazard to both the customer and the support worker. In scenario G, a support worker finds a client inside his home smoking with the closed door and windows. The smoke poses a personal safety hazard to the customer.
Potential Risk
In scenario A, the client is on a potential risk of catching a cold due to sleeping with an open door and window. In scenario B, the client is on the potential danger of fracturing his or her hand due to the frustrated banging on the seat. In C, the client and his support worker are in a potential risk of being harmed by the abusive member of the community. In D, the customer is in a potential hazard of fracturing the leg due to the fall caused by the uneven path. In E, the commotion posed by the arriving clients may bring about stress to the clients. In F, the water spill on the floor may cause the potential risk of falling leading to fractured bones. In G, the client is in the potential danger of developing lung cancer due to cigarette smoking.
Procedure to Minimize Risk
Related Policy and Procedure
The related policy and procedure related to the hazard and risk in scenario A is for conducting client home assessments. In scenario B, the relevant policy and procedure is for injury management. In C, is for personal security. In D, the related policy and procedure is for hazard management. In E and F, the relevant procedure is risk management. In scenario G is for hazardous substances.
Question 2
According to Fire Risks for Older Adults, “The aging process, with its associated illnesses and impairments, leaves a person vulnerable to a variety of accidental injuries, including fires and burns” (Fire Risks for Older Adults, 1999, p. 3). Older people or those with disability are at a higher risk for starting a fire because they experience countless cognitive and physical changes that increase their risk of starting a fire. They experience impairments in the sensory organs, including diminished visual acuity, sense of smell and hearing (Ball et al., 2009).
B) Older persons or those with a disability may carelessly handle smoking materials and other heating sources, an action that may contribute to fire breakouts. As noted by Lowton et al. (2010), the older individuals may sometimes forget to turn the burner off after cooking or sometimes forgetting food on the stove. Additionally, smoking also contributes to increased risk of fire-related injuries.
Question 3
A) The placement of smoke alarms within a home should be done on almost every level of the house including all bedrooms and the basement. According to McCoy et al. (2014), it is important to place smoke alarms in every area of the house because smoke in other regions may take long before reaching the smoke alarm in another field.
B) To install smoke alarms, one needs the services of a licensed electrician. Additionally, it is advisable for the installation to be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Moreover, they should be installed in the ceiling of each bedroom and near the stairway.
C) The maintenance of smoke alarms entails regular testing and battery replacement annually. It is also recommended for its cleaning with a vacuum cleaner at least once a year to remove particles that may affect its performance (Lowton et al., 2010).
Part B: Participating in WHS systems
Question 1
Employee Rights and Responsibilities
Employees have the right to: -
Work in a safe environment.
Respond to any hazards, issues, and injuries.
Employees have the responsibilities to:-
Follow safe work procedures.
Employer Rights and Responsibilities
Employers have the right to:-
Regularly check the procedures and systems to ensure workers are adequately protected from hazards.
Be aware of their legal obligations and meet them in full.
Employers have the responsibility to:-
Properly train their staff to ensure they conduct safe work practices.
Provide their employees with adequate facilities for their wellbeing.
Clients have the right to:-
Allow the making of some modifications to ensure worker safety in the home.
Provide any required safe equipment.
Clients have a responsibility to:-
Treat the support workers with respect and courtesy.
Not to smoke while the support worker is still on duty.
Question 2
The management can involve their workers in the decisions made regarding WHS by consulting with them on the matters involving work health and safety that affect them in their work practice (Turof, 2016). Terry-Armstrong (2015) argues that talking to the workers is the best way of ensuring they participate in hazard identification as well as the assessment and control of the risks they face at work.
Question 3
In this scenario, a support worker would listen attentively and analyze if the new way could improve safety as declared or not. If not, the support worker would discuss it with the supervisor to help come up with the best new way of doing things that enhance safety.
As a fellow support worker, one would discuss with the other support employees and then discuss with the supervisor the opinions of the support workers.
A support worker would comment openly about the new policy and procedure laying out its strengths and weaknesses.
A support worker would immediately report the hazard to the supervisor and give suggestions for its prevention.
A support worker would advise the fellow staff members to call for a meeting with the supervisor and air out their grievances instead of complaining and being annoyed in the workplace.
Question 4
As noted by Hadley and Tyqui (2014), all employees have the duty of care to conduct work in a way that does not pose safety and health risks to them and others. As a result, a duty of care promotes workplace health and security since it ensures workers perform their duties with caution and stay mindful of other people’s safety.
Question 5
Manual Handling Hazard
The possible manual handling hazards may include:-
Neck and low back pain
Fractures or cuts from accidents
Postural risk factors
Mental health effects
Way to Minimize the Risk
The use of patient handling devices and equipment (Caciari, 2013).
Ensure enough space to allow free movement around the house
Implementing the no-lift policies where the worker uses the patient handling devices more than the manual patient handling (Burchill, 2015).
Take enough time off from work to relax
Who you should Report this to
All the manual handling hazards should be reported to the supervisor who would ensure the proper measures are put in place to ensure worker health and safety protection.
Part C: Looking After Yourself
Question 1
Some of the ways that help me deal with stress entail taking time out from work and relaxing in a place that is quiet and calm. While relaxing, I take deep breaths and also ensure to get enough sleep to reduce the tension build up.
Work-related incidents can cause a lot of stress. Therefore, it is best to deal with them from the source (Workplace Safety, 2011). For instance, in case the work environment is too noisy, it is essential to communicate with the supervisor for control measures to be put in place that will deal with the noise.
Question 2
Debriefing at work is important because it helps to reflect and discuss particular concerns in the workplace. It allows workers to clarify their boundaries and let go of their emotions. Besides, debriefing is necessary since it helps employees avoid burnout.
Question 3
Bibliography
Ball, M, Graesser, H, Bruck, D, & Thomas, I. (2009). Increased Fire death risk For the elderly. Australian Nursing Journal. 16 (7). p.35.
Burchill, C. (2015). Development of the Personal Workplace Safety Instrument For Emergency Nurses. Work. 51 (1). p.61-66.
Caciari, T. (2013). Manual handling of patients: clinical evaluation of some parameters clinical-anamnestic in health care. Prevention & Research.
Fire Risks for Older Adults. (1999). TriData Corporation, p.1-25.
Hadley, J, & Tyqui, P (2014). Harmonised work health and safety legislation: Recent developments. Governance Directions. 66 (8). p.508-510.
Lowton, K, Laybourne, A, Whiting, D, & Martin, F (2010). Can Fire and Rescue Services and the National Health Service work together to improve the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable older people? Design of a proof of concept study. BMC Health Services Research. 10, p. 327-335.
McCoy, M, Roper, C, Campa, E, Stephens-Stidham, S, Carlin, D, & Istre, G (2014). How long do smoke alarms function? A cross-sectional follow-up survey of a smoke alarm installation programme. Injury Prevention (1353-8047). 20 (2). p.103-107.
Terry-Armstrong, N (2015). Managing Staff: Happy, Safe and Contended. Busidate. 23 (2). p.2-4.
Turof, M (2016). Determination of Risk Factors in Generating Work Accidents in Port Operating. Economics, Management & Financial Markets. 11 (1). p.152-161.
Workplace Safety. (2011). J.J. Keller & Associates.
