Hazards and risks

Briefly describe a situation in your care work when you have recently been involved in an activity with a child that involved either: moving and handling (such as a wheelchair)
hazardous and non-hazardous equipment and materials (such as a craft session, cookery group, assisting someone with hygiene needs or administering medication).

Any setting or activity carries a level of risk. By identifying and reducing risks in advance, full use can be made of the setting or activity to maximise the value to and enjoyment by the children in your charge. In a childcare setting, we often do lots of activities that might cause hazardous or non-hazardous equipment and materials such as use of scissors, containers and other materials being used or walking to the park. A risk assessment is a tool for conducting a formal examination of the harm or hazard to people (or an organisation) that could result from a particular activity or situation. Types if risks ; Physical risks, Security risks, Personal safety risks, emotional risks, food safety risks and fire risks. Effective management of risks should become automatic as you become more experienced. For every activity you plan, you should think about the hazards, the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the control measures. If you see a hazard as you go about your everyday activities there is one simple rule: deal with it! This can be as simple as moving a toy left on the floor or cleaning up spilt water. Use of Scissors

Hazard: Sharp points and blades Control measures: Very young children use round ended scissors. Make sure children know how to use scissors safely. Containers and other materials being used
Hazard: They may have rough or sharp edges that could cause injury / The materials used may have helped food or unsafe substances ( for example cleaning fluids). Cleaning up after the activity
Hazard: Wet surfaces and floors present a risk of slipping.
Outing to the park
Walk to the park
Hazard: Traffic dangers / Child wandering off and getting lost Use of play equipment
Hazard: Broken or damaged equipment / Equipment not suitable for age of child ( very high slide) Resent rain: Lack of waterproof clothing (wet, cold children) / Effect on play equipment Risk assessment forms are used to assess hazards and identify control measures for all activities and outings. They often include a rating for the risk. They should be simple and easy to complete like the example above. Rating: a value to show the seriousness and level of risk. The higher the numeric value, the more significant the risk.

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm
A risk is an evaluation of the probability (or likelihood) of the hazard occurring A risk assessment is the resulting assessment of the severity of the outcome (e.g. loss of life, destruction of property) Risk control measures are the measures and procedures that are put in place in order to minimise the consequences of unfettered risk (for example; staff training, clear work procedures, preliminary visits and insurance).

Make sure that I am aware of, and follow, organisational health, safety and security procedures before I start work.

Ensure that before I begin any work activities I check and use any risk assessments examine the areas in which I work and any equipment I have to use to ensure that they are safe, hazard free and conform to legal and organisational requirements for health and safety remove, where possible, hazards that might pose a health and safety risk to myself and others.

Take account of individuals’ needs, wishes, preferences and choices, while ensuring my own and the safety of individuals, key people and others when carrying out my work activities.

Operate within the limits of my own roles and responsibilities in relation to health and safety.

Seek additional support to resolve health and safety problems where necessary.

Report health and safety issues to the appropriate people and complete health, safety and security records according to legal and organisational requirements.

Minimise risk

Identify and work with others to minimise potential risks in the place where I am working.

Ensure that my own health and hygiene does not pose a threat to others.

Ensure that the appropriate people know where I am at all times.

Check for hazards and health, safety and security risks while I am working, taking appropriate action if there is the likelihood of an accident, injury or harm.

Check that people who are present have a right to be there.

Use approved methods and procedures when undertaking potentially hazardous work activities, including using correct moving and handling techniques wearing correct personal protective clothing appropriate to the situation, environment and activities using and storing equipment and materials dealing with spillages and disposal of waste.

Take appropriate and immediate action to deal with health and environmental emergencies, including fire, security, serious and minor accidents and first aid.

Record and report on incidents and emergencies accurately, completely, within confidentiality agreements, and according to organisational and legal requirements.

The boy i looked after slipped and hurt his knee after i mopped the kitchen under my care. The kitchen floor was still wet and i hadn`t warned him not to enter the kitchen until it has dried out. So after that accident, i carried out my risk assessment which involves letting the child know beforehand. Next time i mopped the floors either when the boy wasn`t around or warned him not to enter the kitchen otherwise he would slip or trip over. Another example is that the little boy who then was three years old was scooting on the pavement and tried to cross over the road without me telling him so. I told him that it was very dangerous crossing without an adult otherwise he would get hit by a car and would get hurt badly. I started holding the scooter before approaching a zebra crossing or traffic lights to avoid the hazards. After couple of times showing him what to do such as waiting patiently before crossing and telling him to scoot by me made a big change and difference as he understood what would happen if he crossed without an adult. Soon after that he stopped crossing on his own and wait at the traffic lights and zebra crossings.