Question

Read the case study, then answer the questions that follow.

Janice is a member of the health and safety committee (HSC) for an aged care facility. Janice and the rest of the HSC are aware that WHS legislation, policies, procedures and practices are part of an ongoing continuous improvement process. For this reason, Janice and the HSC want to ensure that the WHS practices in their workplace are best practice and in compliance with the current legislation, national standards and codes of practice.

QUESTIONS

1. Why is it important that the workplace emergency procedures in Janice’s workplace are current? (Approx. 60 words).

2. Briefly explain six housekeeping practices the HCS should consider when assessing the currency of their workplace WHS systems? (Approx. 100 – 120 words).

3. Outline what the HSC should consider when checking the currency of personal protective equipment in the workplace? (Approx. 50 words).

4. How will the HCS be able to determine if their work processes are up-to-date with current best practice standards? (Approx. 20 words)

THIS QUESTIONS ARE FOR AN AGED CARE CERTIFICATE

Answer 1

1. Importance of workplace emergency procedures:

Aged care facility is a center for old age people, who need on going assistance with their daily activities or who are no longer able to stay at home. It is also called as an aged care home or nursing home. Work place Emergency procedures are important in an Aged care facility, as any time the residents may need an emergency care as they are vulnerable to many medical emergency such as heart attack and stroke, falls and other accidents.

The objective of this Emergency procedures are to ensure the safety , health and wellbeing of the residents and the staff. The Emergency procedures should cover the aspects, such as the situations like:

* Emergency evacuation

* Bomb threat

* Fire accidents

* Earthquake

* Emergency situation of the residents like injury, accident, burns, medical condition such as heart attack, seizure stroke and panick attack.

* The residents should give frequent training on how to be  safe , during an emergency.

For example: In case of fire; Don't use lift,  the way meant for emergency escape etc.

* The firt aid kit and measures should be ready

The staff should be trained enough to carry out the emergency treatment such as first aid and Cardio pulmonary resuscitation etc.  

2. Six house keeping practices that HCS should consider:

House keeping is not just a task of cleaning up the floors, but is to take care of the complete cleanliness, orderliness of the unit;  its walls and floors, Equipments ; its working condition, and cleanliness of bathrooms, toilets and other areas of building. A good Housekeeping practice is essential for clean an neat appearance of the facility, to prevent infections and communicable diseases, to prevent falls and other accidents etc. The core House keeping practices that should consider when assessing the currency if work place WHS system are:

* Immediately clean all spills up: It will help to maintain halls and floors free of trip or slip hazards. Papers and cardboards may increase the risk of fire accidents .

* Keep the stairways and aisles clear and clean. Accidents and falls are common in the stairways and aisles. Install warning signs and mirrors on the blind corners.

* Improve lighting efficiency maintain clean light fixtures. , it enables clear vision of the environment.

* Tools must be regularly inspect , clean and repair frequently.

* Materials and equipments  must be orderly stored and moved .

* Regular inspection to check  Quality of Housekeeping is must.

3. Personal Protective equipment in the work place:

Health and Safety committed should ensure the availability of Personal Protective equipment ( PPE) for the staff, especially in the current scenario of COVID 19. Strict maintanance of social distancing, use of masks and hand washing should be encouraged among residents and staffs. Staff , who is taking care of residents, who are suffering with an infectious disease, specially COVID 19, must wear PPE during the time of contact with the resident patient . Adequate training should be given to employees, on how to use PPE properly. Ensure the availability of hand sanitizers and soaps enough in the unit.

4. To determine , if the work process are up - to - date with current best practice standards, the Health safety committee ( HSC) should follow certain steps, such as:

* Design an Assessment sheet , that should formulate in accordance with the WHS guidelines. Use the assessment sheet to check the compliance of rules and regulations that laid down under WHS legislation.  

* Conduct weekly   inspection by Health Safety Committee in Aged care facility and check the compliance with WHS guidelines.

* Ensure that workers are having proper equipments for Housekeeping and personal protection

* Encourage the employees to identify potential hazards and to report it. Eliminate potential hazards from the work place . Minimize the risk of falls, trips and slips.

* HSC should ensure that all the workers are trained enough to handle emergency situation.

* Attend the workshops and seminars on WHS measures by HSC members and organise in service Education programmes for staffs on the same , encourage the staff to participate in the programme.  

* Check and analyse the records and reports regarding Health and safety in the work place.