The HSE have recently been carrying out inspections to assess how well health and safety is being managed in care homes and they found that two thirds of those homes inspected had NOT complied with health and safety law and required action to be taken!
The common failings identified related to the following areas:
- Scalding and hot surfaces
- Legionella
- Falls
- Wandering
- Lifting equipment
- Chemicals and cleaning materials
- Choking
- Management arrangements
Where breaches of law were found during the inspections, measures were taken to ensure care home providers comply with law, including by taking enforcement action.
HSE’s website has guidance on health and safety in care homes, where you can find information on how to protect workers and service users from the risks mentioned above. In addition, the Scottish Government website sets out how care in Scotland is regulated.
