Standard Operating Procedure. CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls. Version 1. Implementation Date 01/04/2013. Review Date 30/04/2014

Transcription

1 Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle North and East, Newcastle West, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, North Durham, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees and South Tees Clinical Commissioning Groups Standard Operating Procedure CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls Version 1 Implementation Date 01/04/2013 Review Date 30/04/2014 Approved By CCGs Approval Date 01/04/2013 Revisions Date Section Reason for Change Approved by Procedure Obsolete Date Reason Approved by CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls

2 Procedure Template 1 Purpose The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, include duties for people in control of workplaces to assess the risks within workplace environments. They require appropriate arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of any measures to safeguard health and safety. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People must be able to move around safely. Slips and trips resulting in falls are the most common cause of major injuries in all workplaces in Great Britain and the second biggest cause of over-3- day injuries. Over 2,000 injuries to employees in healthcare, attributed to slips and trips, are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) each year. Many patients and visitors also receive injuries. This document sets out the CCG s approach to improve the management of the risks associated with slips, trips and falls across all CCG premises. 2 Who Will Be Affected By This Procedure? This procedure applies to all staff working within the CCGs and to those for whom the CCGs have a legal duty of care. 3 Responsibility The CCG Accountable Officer is responsible for the dissemination and implementation of this procedure. 4 Content/Abbreviation Definitions For the purposes of this procedure, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle North and East, Newcastle West, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, North Durham, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees and South Tees Clinical Commissioning Groups will be referred to as the CCGs. CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 2

3 5 Procedure for Managing Risks Associated with Slips, Trips and Falls 5.1 CCG Responsibilities The CCG will ensure that: The necessary training or education needs and methods required to implement this procedure are identified and resourced or built into the delivery planning process. Mechanisms are in place for the regular evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of this procedure. 5.2 Senior Governance Officer (H & S) at NECS The Senior Governance Officer will lead in: Generating and formulating this procedure Identifying the appropriate process for regular evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of this procedure Identifying the competencies required to implement this procedure, and either identifying a training resource or approaching Training Department for assistance Notifying the Policy Co-Ordinator of any revisions to this document Arranging for superseded versions of this document to be retained in accordance with HSC 199/053 NHS Retention and Disposal Schedule. 5.3 Head of Estates (NHS Property Services) The Head of Estates is responsible for: Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out on the CCG occupied property, including leased properties, when initially acquired or upgraded, or when any refurbishment work is undertaken. Ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out and method statements (where required) are produced and adhered to, where a member of staff, or a person contracted to work on CCG occupied property, is required to work at height or in a confined space. Making sure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments and method statements (where required) are in place for maintenance work and or any cleaning work undertaken on CCG occupied properties. Ensuring that any work undertaken on CCG occupied properties by contractors is carried out in accordance with the Estates policy on managing contractors. Making sure that action plans identified in the risk assessments are followed through and recorded. Ensuring that any remedial or improvement work which is identified to reduce the risk of slips, trips or falls is carried out. 5.4 Managers All managers are responsible for: Ensuring that suitable and sufficient risk assessments, including the risks from slips, trips and falls, are carried out for their areas of responsibility. CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 3

4 Ensuring that all staff are made aware of the slipping, tripping and falling risks within their work environment and of their personal responsibilities toward managing them. Please see Appendix A for guidance. Ensuring that any improvements or control measures identified from risk assessments are actioned through the appropriate channels. Please see Appendix B for guidance. Making sure that their staff have attended Health and Safety Core Mandatory training when required, and any other relevant training where appropriate. Reporting accidents, incidents and near misses in accordance with policy. 5.5 All CCG Staff All staff, including temporary and agency staff, are responsible for: Compliance with this procedure. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action being taken. Co-operating with the development and implementation of this procedure and as part of their normal duties and responsibilities. Identifying the need for a change in procedure as a result of becoming aware of changes in practice, changes to statutory requirements, revised professional or clinical standards and local/national directives, and advising their line manager accordingly. Identifying training needs in respect of this procedure and bringing them to the attention of their line manager. Attending training / awareness sessions when provided. Being aware of the risks of slips, trips and falls to patients, staff and visitors and taking into consideration both environmental and individual factors. Co-operating with their line managers in the completion of health and safety risk assessments. Complying with any control measures put in place as a result of a risk assessment. Wearing footwear appropriate to the floor surface and environmental conditions. Reporting, to their line manager, any hazards that present a risk of someone slipping, tripping or falling in or around the workplace. Reporting accidents, incidents and near misses in accordance with policy. 5.6 Risk Assessment The risks associated with slips, trips and falls will be managed by carrying out a general risk assessment as detailed below. Further detail on risk assessment including how to record these can be found in the Risk and Incident Reporting Policy. Identifying the hazards Look around the workplace environment (including outdoor areas) for anything that may pose a slipping or tripping hazard. An example could be a floor surface in poor condition or a trailing cable in a passageway. Please see Appendix A for further examples of hazards. Deciding who may be harmed and how CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 4

5 Consider who will be in the workplace and whether they are at risk and take into consideration anyone who may be at a greater risk. This includes those with a disability, the elderly or young who may require special consideration. Evaluating the risk and deciding on precautions Determine the adequacy and effectiveness of any existing control measures and estimate the level of risk attributed to any particular hazard. Decide whether further action or control measures are needed to lower the risk. Please see Appendix B for further guidance on controls. Recording the findings The findings from the risk assessment should be recorded on the General Risk Assessment form. Reviewing the assessment and updating if necessary The risk assessment must be reviewed if there is a significant change, or if there is any reason to believe that it is no longer valid. Assessments must always be reviewed in the event of a slipping, tripping or falling incident or accident, or in the event of a near miss with the potential to have caused an accident. 5.7 Staff, Visitors and Contractors An additional risk assessment should be carried out for staff when they are required to undertake any work which places themselves or others at additional risk, such as working in confined spaces or working at height. When any member or staff or contractor is required to work at height, it must be ensured that the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Work at Height Amendment Regulations 2007 are complied with before any work commences. A risk assessment must also be undertaken by NHS Property Services on any new properties or following any refurbishment work. NHS Property Services should also ensure that suitable risk assessments and method statements are in place prior to any cleaning or maintenance work on CCG occupied properties, whether carried out by CCG staff or contractors. An example of this would be the cleaning of CCG occupied properties undertaken, via a contract, by another organisation. An incident form must be completed following any slip, trip or fall and the risk assessment and control measures reviewed to minimise the risk of it happening again. 5.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND TRAINING CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 5

6 The CCG will ensure that the necessary training or education needs and methods required to implement the policy are identified and resourced or built into the delivery planning process. This may include identification of external training providers or development of an internal training process. This procedure will be available to all CCG staff for use in managing the risks associated with slips, trips and falls. carry All Managers are responsible for ensuring that relevant staff within their own team have read and understood this document and are competent to out their duties in accordance with the procedures described. All staff, including temporary and agency staff, are required to attend the Health and Safety Core Mandatory Course which provides training and a level of understanding in the issues around health and safety. 6. FURTHER INFORMATION Further information and advice with regard to Health and Safety and Risk assessment is available from the Senior Governance Officer (H&S) at NECS. 7. Documentation Related polices: Risk Management Policy. References: Health and Safety Executive; Preventing slips and trips at work INDG225, 2007 Health and Safety Executive, HSE information sheet; Slips and Trips in the Health Services, Consultation Policy and Corporate Governance Lead (NHSCDD) Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs (NoTW) Information Governance Advisor (Tees) Governance Lead (SoTW) This SOP has been developed with reference to the Policy for Managing the Risks Associated with Slips, Trips and Falls in NHS County Durham and Darlington. CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 6

7 APPENDIX A LIKELY CAUSES OF SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Slip Hazards Trip hazards Spills and splashes or liquids and solids Wet floors (following cleaning) Unsuitable footwear Rain, sleet and snow, ice Change from a wet to dry surface (footwear still wet) Unsuitable floor surface Dusty floors Sloping surfaces Loose floorboards/tiles Uneven outdoor surfaces Holes or cracks on surfaces Changes in surface level-ramps, steps and stairs Cable across walking areas Obstructions Bumps, ridges and protruding nails etc. Low wall and floor fixtures-door catches, door steps Electrical and telephone socket outlets Fall Hazards Staff not trained in moving and handling Over reaching Climbing on furniture Rushing down steps/stairs Faulty or unsuitable equipment Ladders Additional Risk Factors Untrained staff Risk assessments not carried out or regularly Poor lighting Cleaning regime is wrong or inappropriate Moving, carrying, pushing or pulling a load Rushing around Tiredness and fatigue Effects of drugs, alcohol or medication CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 7

8 CONTROLLING THE RISKS OF SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS APPENDIX B There are many simple measures that can be employed to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. Some common examples are listed here. Hazard Suggested Action Floor spillages of either wet or dry substances Clean up spills immediately. If grease is involved, ensure a suitable cleaning agent is used. Trailing cables Position equipment to avoid cables crossing pedestrian routes, use cable covers to securely fix to surfaces, restrict access to prevent contact. Rugs and mats Ensure mats are securely fixed and don t have curling edges. Lighting Improve lighting levels and placement of light fittings to ensure more even lighting of all floor areas. Slippery surfaces Assess the cause and treat accordingly, for example always keep them dry if wet causes the Change from wet to dry surfaces problem. Employ a suitable cleaning regime. Provide suitable footwear; warn of risks by using signs, place doormats where these changes are likely. Changes of level Try to avoid. If you can t, improve lighting, add high visible tread nosings (i.e. white/reflective edge to step). Slopes Improve visibility, provide hand rails, and use floor markings. Unsuitable footwear Ensure workers choose suitable footwear, particularly with the correct type of sole. If the type of work requires special protective footwear, the employer is required by law to provide it free of charge. No risk assessments Risk assessments must be carried out at regular intervals and control measures put in place. Stepladders Always spread them to their full extent and lock them off. Do not work on the top platform. Do not use the top tread, tool shelf or rear part of the steps as a foot support. Only one person should be on the ladder at any one time. The ladder must be in working order, appropriate and of the correct grade for the intended use. Never rush up or down. CCG SOP11 Management of Slips, Trips and Falls 8