HEALTH & SAFETY SUMMER
Newsletter
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
As summer is upon us there are a few things to keep in mind: UV LEVELS Although the temperatures aren’t that high, the UV levels can be. As we’ve been wrapped up all winter, our bodies aren’t used to UV radiation
to sunburn. Check weather forecasts as they will show UV levels and if it’s high, make sure you protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and using a sunscreen. VITAMIN D
- we need to build up resistance over time by gradually exposing ourselves to the sun. Sudden exposure to the sun (even in the spring) can lead
The sun gives us health benefits as it raises our Vitamin D levels, which are important as we age, it has an immune regulating function and is good for our bones. Being outside in the sun can also lower your blood pressure. Sunshine is good for mental wellbeing, it increases the brain’s release of Serotonin, a ‘happy’ hormone that boosts your mood. So try and spend some time outside when it’s sunny.
Incident reporting
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The reporting of workplace injuries and accidents is a legal requirement under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).
Crush injuries to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
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Serious burns (including scalding) which: - covers more than 10% of the body - causes significant damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs
The RIDDOR regulations place duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the ‘responsible person’) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (‘near misses’).
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Any scalping requiring hospital treatment
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Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
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Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space which: - leads to hypothermia or heat-induced illness - requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
All staff are required by LSH to inform the Health and Safety team of any incident which might result in a RIDDOR. The specified injuries are as follows : •
Fracture (other than to fingers, thumbs & toes)
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Amputation
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Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
How to report a health and safety incident This can be done by clicking on the Live Data tab on Staffnet. Select the Health and Safety Incidents icon and this will take you to a blank incident form. It is very important you fill this out with as much detail and accuracy as possible. Remember to only state facts! If you didn’t see something happen then it musn’t be included in the report.
Accidents must be reported where they result in an employee or self-employed person being away from work, or unable to perform their normal work duties, for more than seven consecutive days as the result of their injury.
The incident form is made up of a series of drop-down menu options • You must select the site at which the incident happened, followed by a description of the location for example bedroom 4 unit 1. • Accurately write the correct date and time the incident occurred. (Incident forms should be created as soon as possible after the incident) • Provide your home address and contact number. This will be kept confidential and is required if the injury is to be reported under RIDDOR. • Select an accurate description of the nature of the incident from the dropdown menu; if you are unsure please ask your manager or one of the H&S team for help. • Write a summary of the incident: include injuries and whether you have sought medical advice, received First Aid or attended hospital.
• Describe the injury in detail including any medical treatment and if you or the staff member are required to leave shift or will be taking time off work.
• Write a detailed description of how the incident occurred, include the build up to the incident and post incident. As much detail as possible is required.
• Ensure you mention if the staff member finished the shift. If this changes through out the shift then it is important the health and safety team are made aware.
• Make sure to include any witnesses to the incident as they may be required to provide a witness statement. Finding out who was present weeks after the incident may be difficult so it is important to list them on your report.
• The last section is the opportunity to write if anyone else was injured during the same incident PLEASE NOTE this does not mean that individual is covered by that same incident form they will need an individual form specific to their injuries.
• If you sustained an injury, or completing a form for someone else who had an injury, you will be required to say whether this was serious or not. The specified injuries that class as serious are as follows:
The most common mistakes when filling out an incident form are:
• Amputation
• Selecting the wrong nature of incident.
• Bone fracture
• Not accurately describing how the incident occurred.
• Loss of consciousness • Blinding • Crush • Serious burn (covering more than 10% of the body) • Scalping (scalping does not include hair being pulled out unless some scalp has been removed) • If the injury is not serious the dropdown menu will be different, please select the most accurate injury type.
• Including another staff member on the incident form and not creating a separate form to report their injuries. • Inaccurately stating whether your shift was finished or not.
Near miss reporting Ludlow 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. 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. The triangle diagram shows the number of near misses that should be reported in relation to the number of accidents reported. During the month of January we only received 5 near miss reports and 174 accident reports. 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, leak causing a puddle which could be slipped in to staffing and security.
is by reinstating the Health and Safety committee meeting. This will be attended by all Area Managers, General Managers and the Operations Director along with additional relevant staff. Please do not hesitate to come to any member of the committee with all your health and safety concerns or email one of the health and safety team: Rachael.hussey@lshealthcare.co.uk Darren.mcdonald@lshealthcare.co.uk
One way in which we are improving health and safety culture at Ludlow this month
HEALTH & SAFETY V1Q2 2022