HEALTH & SAFETY Winter Newsletter
Approaching winter safely
The winter months create specific health and safety concerns that pose additional risks to us all.
Although these hazards can be particularly acute for outdoor workers, there are also many potential dangers within the workplace itself and surrounding areas.
Safe winter driving
Business doesn’t stop in winter even when the weather is bad, but it can be disrupted. For instance, delays with deliveries to and from the workplace and travelling to and from work. Everyone should be prepared and properly equipped for conditions that may include snow, ice, heavy rain and floods.
We all have a duty to keep everyone safe. The best way to prevent injuries associated with winter weather is to adopt the attitude that safety is everyone’s responsibility – whether in large, medium, or small organisations.
There are a number of key areas of winter safety that we need to consider to ensure everyone’s safety:
Emergency kit
If possible, try and carry an emergency kit in your vehicle. This might include a shovel, towrope, sturdy boots, a hazard warning triangle and a first aid kit A working torch, de-icer and car blanket could also feature
Preparedness
Wear warm clothes and take food and a hot drink in a flask on winter journeys Make sure that there is at least one fully charged mobile phone in the vehicle. Remember to de-ice your vehicle and clear any frost before embarking to ensure visibility is not in jeopardy. Note that it is illegal to drive a vehicle if the snow hasn’t been cleared off it.
Weather forecast
Listen to the news or forecasts If there is impending dangerous weather, and a journey is nonessential, don’t drive
It’s better that you’re safe and time can be made up when conditions improve If there is snow or ice, adapt your driving to these conditions by reducing speed so you decreased the risk of skidding and being unable to stop quickly
Vehicle preparation
Vehicles should be fully serviced before the start of winter and anti-freeze checked If you do this on site, ensure that batteries are fully charged, lights are clean and work, all windows, including windscreens, are clean and wipers are operating as they should
Check that tyres have good tread depth and are at the right pressure and that the brakes work effectively Regularly check fluids and top up when necessary
We should take time to learn how to deal with severe winter conditions when driving
Slips, trips and falls
Slips, trips and falls are hazards at any time of year, but winter conditions increase their likelihood unless safety precautions are put in place.
Car parks pose problems if they are not cleared properly Even stepping out of a car can be hazardous if snow or other debris is blocking a walkway to an entrance, or there is ice on the car park or walkways
Hypothermia and frostbite
If you or the people you support spend much of the time outside, be aware of the risks of hypothermia and frostbite Symptoms include:
Shivering
Exhaustion or feeling very tired
Confusion
Fumbling hands
Memory loss
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Many people associate these terms with mountaineers or arctic explorers who have been exposed to freezing temperatures.
Hypothermia and frostbite occur in far more everyday circumstances, such as extended outdoor work situations without the proper protective clothing.
You should always be aware of the potential for danger and have measures in place to reduce the possibility of accidents:
Ensure stairways, walkways and other work areas are kept clear
Remove hazards such as snow on pavements or waters on floors at once
Every employee should look where they are going and be prepared to steady themselves with their hands if they should slip.
Avoid carrying heavy loads in bad weather as they can put you off balance if the underfoot surface is slippery.
Make sure hazardous areas are clearly and appropriately signed.
Use footwear with heavy treads to improve traction
Wear high-visibility clothing so drivers can see you
Make sure external lighting is working correctly to aid when walking during the dark hours If any lights aren’t working correctly, please report to the maintenance team!
If any of these symptoms occur, seek medical care as soon as possible Meanwhile, mitigate potential harm by elevating the affected body part so swelling can be reduced and move the person, where possible, to a warm area
This helps prevent further heat loss. Remove wet clothing and dress affected areas in a dry, sterile bandage. If fingers or toes are suffering, then cotton should be placed between those affected.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Infection, Prevention, Control
CLADE 1 MPOX VIRUS INFECTION
As of November 7th 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 4 cases of clade Ib mpox in England. The first case was reported on 30th October 2024, with 3 further household contacts of this first case since confirmed.
Public Health Wales can confirm that there are no cases of Clade 1 mpox currently reported in Wales, nor of any other variant
Providers should contact their local GP or NHS 111 for a clinical assessment if a person in their care shows symptoms of mpox If an individual, student, or patient that we support is suspected by a healthcare professional of having mpox clade I, that person will need to be transferred to an appropriate NHS setting by ambulance for testing and specialist care
Any person who uses our services who has suspected mpox will remain in hospital until mpox clade I is diagnosed or excluded through testing. If mpox clade I is diagnosed, the person will receive care at the hospital.
The health protection team (HPT) in both England and Wales will inform the care setting and will undertake risk assessments, initiate contact tracing and advise on decontamination processes.
If mpox clade I is not diagnosed, and there is no other reason that they need to be in hospital, the person can be discharged back to their care providers and cared for as usual
Staff
If the person suspected to be a case of mpox clade I is a member of staff, that person should call NHS 111 for advice.
The member of staff should avoid work and remain at home until they have been assessed by a healthcare professional If mpox clade I is diagnosed, HPTs will inform the care provider and advice, similar to the above, will be provided
Of note, healthcare staff and social care staff who go toand return from - work in an area affected by an outbreak of clade I mpox should sign up to the Mpox clade I returning works scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mpox-clade-i-returningworkers-scheme
Current transmission
Mpox can be passed on from person to person through:
Any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling, or holding hands)
Touching clothing, bedding, or towels used by someone with mpox
The coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they’re close to you
Signs and symptoms
If you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of mpox include:
A high temperature
A headache
Muscle aches
Backache
Swollen glands
Shivering (chills)
Exhaustion
Joint pain
A rash that usually appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body This can include the mouth, genitals and anus
Mpox is usually mild, and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
Infection, Prevention, Control
RESPIRATORY VIRUS - COUGH, COLD, TONSILITIS
There continues to be an increase in respiratory virus, with a significant number of people in the UK suffering with a residual cough. Please encourage staff to take protective measures for themselves and the people who use our services, including using PPE, aiming for a healthy diet, consuming plenty of fluids and using paracetamol if required.
Please also ensure that we are regularly washing hands and using antibacterial gel, and discarding any paper tissues used in the appropriate bins This may increase staff sickness in the short term
INFLUENZA
Flu is now increasing week on week, with high pressure on hospital and GP services. This includes high levels of chest infections.
Signs and symptoms include:
A sudden high temperature
An aching body
Feeling tired or exhausted
A dry cough
A sore throat
A headache
Difficulty sleeping
Loss of appetite
Please encourage staff to take protective measures for themselves and people who use our services, as described in the respiratory virus section
NOROVIRUS
PLEASE NOTE:
PNEUMONIA
Alongside Flu and RSV, there are increasing numbers of people suffering with Pneumonia
Signs and symptoms include:
A cough - you may cough up yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
Shortness of breath
A high temperature
Chest pain
An aching body
Feeling very tired
Loss of appetite
Making wheezing noises when you breathebabies may also make grunting noises
Please advise staff that vaccines are available for people over 65 via the GP Follow the guidance in the respiratory virus section, and seek GP or Pharmacy advice if there is no improvement after 7 days
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against norovirus
Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. The incubation period of norovirus is 12 to 48 hours, which is the time between catching the virus and developing symptoms
Good hand hygiene is important to stop norovirus spreading. To avoid catching norovirus or passing it on to others, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. This is most important following: an episode of illness; after using the toilet; before eating or preparing food; after cleaning up vomit or diarrhoea.
HEALTH & SAFETY Near miss reporting
Why near miss reporting is important
Iris Care Group is keen to promote an open and positive culture to near miss reporting.
Recording near misses has several advantages for employers. This allows us to identify patterns.
Several near misses in the same area are a sure sign that something is wrong.
The triangle diagram shows the number of near misses that should be reported in relation to the number of accidents reported
The definition of a near miss is described as an event not causing harm, but has the potential to cause injury or ill health
This could be anything from a loose edge of a carpet creating a trip hazard, poor lighting not allowing you to see where you are walking, or a leak causing a puddle which could be slipped on by staff and the people we support
Investigating near misses allows us to avoid more serious incidents by implementing the necessary safety measures at an earlier stage.
Averting potential accidents will improve efficiency and could even save lives.
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HOW TO REPORT A NEAR MISS
WALES
To report a near miss, go to the live data section of staff net and complete a health and safety incident form as normal.
When asked if an injury was sustained (Yes/No) select ‘No’ for a near miss
ENGLAND
To report a near miss if you are based in one of our services in England, please fill out an accident form as normal.
In the description section, please detail ‘near miss’.
SAFE BEHAVIOUR ICOMMITTO
I MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO:
