Health and Safety 

We have in place a structure to ensure that our responsibilities for health and safety are clearly allocated, understood, monitored, fulfilled and that legal requirements will be regarded as the minimum standard to be achieved.

The Trust recognises that complying with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and relevant regulations is a legal requirement, not a matter of choice.

We act positively to minimise the incidence of all workplace risks and all activities are carried out with the regard for the health, safety and welfare of our staff, patients, contractors, visitors and the public.

We  consult with our workforce and trade union colleagues to nurture an open attitude to health and safety issues, encouraging staff to identify and report hazards and suggest innovative solutions so that we can all contribute to creating and maintaining a safe working environment.

Some important pieces of health and safety legislation underpinning the way we work:

  • Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) – The purposes of HSWA include protecting people other than those at work from risks to their health and safety when these arise out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work.
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: require employers to carry out risk assessments, appoint competent people and arrange for appropriate information and training.
  • Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992: cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues such as ventilation, heating, lighting, workstations, seating and welfare facilities.
  • Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992: require employers to provide appropriate protective clothing and equipment for their employees.
  • Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: require that equipment provided for use at work, including machinery, is safe.
  • Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: cover the moving of objects by hand or bodily force.
  • Electricity at Work Regulations 1989: require people in control of electrical systems to ensure they are safe to use and maintained in a safe condition.
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH): require employers to assess the risks from hazardous substances and take appropriate precautions.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC is the independent regulator for the quality and safety of care. This includes the care provided by the NHS, local authorities, independent providers and voluntary organisations in registered settings.

CQC register care services under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. CQC focuses on outcomes for people who use services and assess these using information from a wide range of sources. CQC publishes information on its judgements including a rating to help people choose care; and taking action when services need to improve. CQC have a wide range of enforcement powers that they can use, if they find care services are not meeting fundamental standards. In particular they can prosecute, impose penalties, and otherwise secure improvements under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities Regulations) 2014.

We work closely with the CQC and have in place arrangements through our governance structures to ensure we meet the regulatory requirements.