Health & Safety Policy

Policy Statement

AESN Care is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of people we support, employees and others affected by its activities. Health and safety arrangements will be proportionate to the risks of supported living, domiciliary and community-based care and will support safe, person-centred practice.

1. Introduction

Care work can involve moving and handling, falls, infection risks, medicines where applicable, lone working, violence or aggression, hazardous substances, fire and risks within people's homes. These risks require practical assessment rather than an office-only approach.

2. Purpose

This policy establishes AESN Care's approach to identifying, controlling and reviewing health and safety risks.

3. Scope

The policy applies to staff, people we support, visitors and other persons affected by AESN Care activities, including work carried out in homes and community settings.

4. Policy Objectives

• Identify and control foreseeable risks.
• Provide safe systems of work.
• Maintain suitable training and competence.
• Report and learn from incidents.
• Support safe lone and community working.
• Protect people from avoidable harm.

5. Definitions

Risk assessment is a structured consideration of hazards, who may be harmed and appropriate controls. Incident includes accidents, near misses and other events requiring review.

6. Legal and Regulatory Framework

Relevant legislation includes the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, COSHH requirements, RIDDOR where applicable and fire safety requirements including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 where applicable.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

• Management provides appropriate governance and resources.
• Managers ensure relevant risk assessments and controls are implemented.
• Staff follow safe systems, training and reporting requirements.
• Everyone has a responsibility to raise unsafe conditions.

8. Policy Requirements / Principles

• Risk assessments should reflect individual needs and changing circumstances.
• Manual handling should use appropriate assessment, equipment and technique.
• Falls, slips and trips should be identified and reduced.
• Fire risks and emergency arrangements should be considered.
• Infection prevention measures should be followed.
• PPE should be used where risk assessment indicates it is required.
• Lone working should be assessed and appropriate communication arrangements used.
• Violence and aggression risks should be assessed and staff supported.
• Hazardous substances and equipment must be used safely.

9. Procedures

Relevant risk assessments should be completed and reviewed when circumstances change. Staff should report accidents, near misses, hazards and equipment concerns promptly. Where a person is at immediate risk, staff should take reasonable immediate steps to protect them and seek emergency assistance where necessary.

Medication-related safety concerns, where medication support is provided, should also be managed under applicable medication procedures.

10. Reporting and Escalation

Serious incidents, injuries, safeguarding concerns and reportable events should be escalated promptly. RIDDOR reporting will be considered where legally applicable.

11. Records and Documentation

Risk assessments, incident records, training records, equipment checks and relevant actions will be maintained securely.

12. Training and Competence

Staff will receive training appropriate to their duties, which may include moving and handling, infection prevention, fire safety, emergency procedures, lone working and other role-specific risks.

13. Monitoring and Compliance

Health and safety performance may be monitored through risk assessments, incident trends, audits, training compliance and management review.

14. Breaches / Non-Compliance

Unsafe conduct may be addressed through additional instruction, supervision or formal action. Serious risks will be escalated immediately.

15. Equality, Diversity and Human Rights

Risk controls must be proportionate and consider disability, communication, cultural needs, dignity and reasonable adjustments.

16. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Health and safety records containing personal or health information will be handled securely and shared only where lawful and necessary.

17. Related Policies and Procedures

• Safeguarding Policy
• Quality Assurance Policy
• Quality Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Environmental Policy

18. Review and Continuous Improvement

Incidents, near misses, inspections, feedback and changes in guidance will be used to improve risk controls and staff practice.

19. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and after significant incidents or relevant legal or operational changes.

Related Policies

• Safeguarding Policy
• Quality Assurance Policy
• Quality Policy
• Environmental Policy

Review Arrangements

This policy will be reviewed by AESN Care Management at appropriate intervals and sooner where there is a significant change in legislation, regulation, service delivery, risk, guidance, learning from incidents or complaints, or organisational arrangements. Review findings and resulting actions will be documented.

Approval

Approved by: AESN Care Management