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CHCOHS312A- Follow safety procedures for direct care work

(information sourced from http://training.gov.au/)

Descriptor

This unit is specifically designed to cater for safety aspects of work involving delivery of services in aged care, home and community care and disability services. The unit focuses on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members

Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills

Application

On completion of this unit, the worker in these particular sectors will be able to accurately identify the major occupational health and safety hazards, manual handling, together with other hazards that may include dealing with behaviours of concern, stress, etc. The worker will also be able to assess related risk as well as follow instructions and procedures with minimal supervision and support The worker will also be capable of participating and contributing to occupational health and safety (OHS) management issues Where the worker is undertaking tasks delegated by a health professional specific instruction or policy should be provided in relation to infection control or the worker should have the skills and knowledge addressed in HLTIN301A Comply with infection control policies and procedures in health work

Performance Criteria

Element			Performance criteria
1.	Identify sources of risk to personal safety, assess the level of risk and follow risk minimisation procedures		1.1 Identify environments, situations and client-related risk factors 1.2 Apply practical strategies and organisation procedures to minimise risk 1.3 Identify any behaviours of concern in the work context and follow organisation procedures to minimise risk 1.4 Identify risks associated with driving and travelling with and without clients and follow organisation procedures to minimise risk 1.5 Follow organisation policies and procedures when working in a new or unstable environment
2.	Identify manual handling hazards, assess related risk and follow risk minimisation procedures		2.1 Identify manual handling hazards 2.2 Assess the risk using the tools described in the Manual Handling Code of practice (or equivalent) for own State/territory 2.3 Apply recognised control measures for manual handling risk, including eliminating manual handling wherever possible 2.4 Follow established manual handling procedures and work instructions for minimising manual handling activity/risk
3.	Identify sources of infection and apply industry accepted practice to minimise risk of infection to themselves, clients and others		3.1 Identify risks of infection 3.2 Apply standard precautions to prevent the spread of infection as part of own work routine 3.3 Recognise situations when additional infection control procedures are required 3.4 Apply additional precautions when standard precautions alone may not be sufficient to prevent transmission of infection  3.5 Identify other sources of infection for workers
4.	Identify other hazards and assess risk		4.1 Identify other hazards in the work area during the performance of duties 4.2 Assess level of risk 4.3 Conduct environmental assessment to identify potential sources of risk to personal safety
5.	Follow procedures and strategies for risk control		5.1 Report hazards in the work area to designated personnel according to workplace procedures 5.2 Follow accurately workplace procedures and work instructions for controlling risks with minimal supervision 5.3 Whenever necessary, within the scope of responsibilities and competencies, follow workplace procedures for dealing with incidents, fire and/or hazardous events
6.	Contribute to OHS in the workplace		6.1 Describe employee rights and employer obligations regarding consultation on OHS matters 6.2 Raise task and/or job specific OHS issues with appropriate people in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant OHS legislative requirements 6.3 Contribute to participative arrangements for OHS management in the workplace within organisation procedures and the scope of responsibilities and competencies 6.4 Provide feedback to supervisor on hazards in work area in line with organisation OHS policies and procedures  6.5 Provide support in implementing procedures to control risks in accordance with organisation procedures

Required Skills and Knowledge

Essential knowledge:
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role. These include:
• Awareness of all relevant workplace procedures including:
- hazard management policies and procedures
- care plans and work instruction
- procedures for the use of manual handling and mobility equipment, personal protective equipment, duress and other alarms
- emergency, fire and incident procedures
• Awareness that OHS issues are regulated by State/territory acts, regulations, codes of practice and industry standards
• Knowledge and understanding of the workplace OHS system sufficient to recognise situations affecting OHS and to take the appropriate action to rectify the situation, including specific awareness of manual handling hazards as well as general awareness of other hazards that occur in the sector
• Duty of care within the respective scope of responsibilities in accordance with general OHS acts and regulations as well as respective state and national standards
• Basic concepts of likelihood of occurrence and consequences (severity) of injury
• Meaning of OHS signs and symbols relevant to the work area
• Basic understanding of sources of infection and means to minimise transfer of infectious diseases
• Basic home fire safety
• Significance of service provision setting

Essential skills:
It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:
• Apply and describe procedures for:
- recognising hazards, particularly with regard to manual handling, in the workplace
- reporting hazards identified using documented organisation processes
• Identify manual handling risk and modify work practices appropriately
• Identify risks to personal safety and apply accepted practices to minimise risk
• Demonstrate standard infection control procedures, including use of approved hand washing techniques
• Work safely, and follow the enterprise’s OHS policies and procedures
• Identify, report and manage workplace hazards (within the limits of worker control)
• Undertake appropriate observation and reporting
In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role. These include the ability to:
• Access and use manual handling equipment commonly available in the industry sector to reduce risks associated with manual handling
• Use body biomechanics, as a supplement to other manual handling risk reduction strategies, to reduce the risk in routine tasks
• Identify client-related risk factors and modify approach and choice of equipment to minimise risk
• Exercise duty of care within the respective scope of responsibilities in accordance with general OHS acts and regulations as well as respective state and national standards
• Recognise potential situations that require action and then implement appropriate corrective action as much as possible to eliminate risk
• Implement work processes and practices to prevent or minimise risk
• Refer to and apply safe work practices
• Demonstrate correct use of equipment according to organisation and manufacturer instructions
• Communicate OHS issues to designated personnel
• Solve problems
• Use reading and writing skills – appropriate literacy competence – as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by organisation/service and to access information in care plans, read labels and workplace procedures:
- literacy support in the workplace may range from having access to support or assistance from expert/mentor/supervisor, to having no communication supports available
- literacy may be required in English, a community language, or Braille, etc, depending on the language used in pamphlets or workplace manual
• Apply communication skills – language competence – as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation/service:
- assessors should look for skills in asking questions, providing clear information including to client and co-worker, listening to and understanding workplace instructions, and clarifying workplace instructions when necessary
- service/organisation may require competence in English or community language, depending on client group

Range Statement

Definition of hazard:		A ‘hazard’ is something with the potential to cause injury or disease to people, damage to property or disruption to productivity Hazards arise, for example, from workplace environment; use of plant for example and equipment; poor work design; inappropriate systems, procedures and/or human behaviour
Legislative requirements include:		The legislative requirements for manual handling and for OHS consultation and participation vary in different states and the requirements of the particular state should be reflected in the training and assessment processes including OHS industry guides
Examples of manual handling hazards in the aged care and disabilities sectors include:		Lifting tasks such as moving a person in bed, assisting to stand, transfer to chair or wheelchair, lifting objects Pushing pulling tasks such as pushing trolleys, wheel chairs, shower chairs, dressing clients Carrying trays and other items Reaching and postural tasks such as feeding a person, showering Restraining tasks
The risk factors for manual handling are influenced by:		Postures adopted Movement undertaken Forces exerted Environmental conditions such as underfoot conditions, lighting, heat Duration and frequency of the task In people-handling the risk is also affected by the: ability of client to support/control part/whole of the body predictability in movement and behaviours pain levels ability to follow instructions any equipment attached to the client e.g. catheters, IVs etc client clothing
Manual handling equipment may include:		Client hoists Standing lifters Slide sheets Other manual handling assistive devices
Sources of risk to personal safety:		Personal risks may arise from clients, client family, the public or animals Risk environments may be in access to work (e.g. car parking arrangements, access to private home) and in carrying out work Situations with a higher risk of threat and client related factors may be identified from incident reports, care plans, case management meetings Behaviours of concern Working new, isolated and/or potentially unstable environments
Examples of workplace hazards in aged care, home and community care and disabilities sectors (other than manual handling) may include:		Equipment including suitability for purpose and fitness for use Work-related stress Biological hazards including body fluids; contaminated food; soiled clothing and linen; clinical waste; syringes and other ‘sharps’; etc Personal threat by (e.g. through behaviours of concern) clients and/or visitors Chemicals (e.g. toxic or hazardous substances, gases and liquids under pressure, includes cleaning chemicals) Work-related environment (e.g. underfoot, lighting, space, noise, air quality, furniture/fittings, car parking etc) Electrical hazards related to use of equipment, faulty wiring Work organisation issues such as shift work or irregular hours/on call
Standard precautions include:		Aseptic technique Personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands (e.g. before and after client contact) Use of personal protective equipment Techniques to limit contamination Surface cleaning and management of blood and body fluid spills Safe handling of sharps Safe disposal of sharps and other clinical waste Appropriate reprocessing and storage of reusable instruments
Additional precautions may include:		Special ventilation requirements Additional use of personal protective equipment Dedicated equipment (e.g. to each client or as appropriate to work function)
Organisation procedures for managing risks, including those related to manual handling may be:		Hazard management policies and procedures (these may be integrated with quality, care or other documents or be separated as OHS policies and procedures) Hazard management documents include policies and procedures on specific hazards as well as hazard and incident reporting (including follow up to sharps incidents) and investigation, workplace inspections, maintenance etc Client assessment documents and care plans Strategies for reducing the amount of manual handling required and manual handling risk Supporting people with behaviours of concern Communication, consultation and issue resolution procedures Human resources management procedures such as harassment and grievance procedures, induction programs, team meetings, management of performance levels Job procedures and work instructions Post incident/injury management such as first aid, critical incident debriefing, compensation and return to work Other related procedures including waste management, security
Work instructions may be:		Verbal Written In English In a community language Provided visually e.g. video, OHS signs, symbols and other pictorial presentation, etc. Work instructions include care plans and there should be an awareness of their role in risk management especially in risks associated with manual handling and behaviours of concern
Designated personnel for OHS referrals may be:		Employer Supervisor OHS nominee OHS Committee chairperson Elected OHS representative/employee representative Other personnel with OHS responsibilities
Examples of OHS issues which may be raised by workers with designated personnel may include:		Hazards identified OHS impact of the changing condition of clients Problems encountered in managing risks associated with hazards, in particular, manual handling (e.g. availability and appropriateness of handling and mobility equipment) and behaviours of concern Clarification on understanding of OHS policies and procedures Communication and consultation processes, including carer input to care plans Follow up to reports and feedback Effectiveness of risk controls in place Training needs
Examples of contributions may include:		Recommendations on changes to work processes, equipment or practices Listening to the ideas and opinions of others in the team Sharing opinions, views, knowledge and skills Attendance at meetings Input to care plans Identifying and reporting risks and hazards Using equipment according to guidelines and operating manuals Behaviour that contributes to a safe working environment which includes following OHS procedures
Examples of participative arrangements may include:		Regular information sessions (using clear and understandable language) on existing or new OHS issues Team meeting and case management meetings Formal and informal OHS meetings Meetings called by OHS representatives Health and safety committees Other committees such as consultative planning and purchasing Other means and processes for raising requests and concerns as well as contributing suggestions and reports to management Documented issue resolution processes Easy access to relevant written workplace information
Risk control in the work area may include:		Application of the hierarchy of control, namely: Eliminate the risk Reduce/minimise the risk through: universal precautions engineering controls administrative controls including training personal protective equipment
Controlling manual handling risks in the work area may include:		Minimising amount of handling Provision of equipment Changes to workplace layout Changes to work organisation or work practices Changes to the load or client Task-specific training
Report hazards in the work area may be verbal or written and may include:		Face-to-face Phone messages Notes Memos Specially designed report forms
Basic home fire safety includes knowledge of:		High fire risk groups Behaviour that may contribute to fire injury and/or fatality Role of a working smoke alarm Types of smoke alarms Optimum placement of smoke alarms Smoke alarm testing and cleaning Referring client for smoke alarm installation and maintenance

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects of assessment:		This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions Simulation should be based on the actual work setting and must include demonstration of practical skills such as use of appropriate equipment Simulations may also include the use of case studies, scenarios and role play In addition to the practical skills, this unit of competency requires a body of knowledge which may be assessed through questioning and the use of ‘what if’ scenarios both on site (during demonstration of normal procedures and walk throughs of abnormal ones) and off site (e.g. in transit, home visits, telephone counselling, etc) Assessment will occur over a range of situations that may include disruptions to normal smooth operations Assessment may need to be conducted over an extended period of time, or on more than one occasion to cover the relevant range of situations Within the limits of worker, client and public safety and the requirements of the competency, consideration must be given to workers whose literacy skills are limited and/or who are physically and/or intellectually disabled
Access and equity considerations:		All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:		Assessment will require access to: Client handling and mobility devices commonly used in the industry sector including patient hoists, standing lifter, wheelchair, slide sheets and other client assistive devices and mobility aids Recognised risk control strategies Appropriate equipment Workplace health and safety policies and procedures Other related policies and procedures Duties statements and/or job descriptions Sample care plans
Method of assessment:		Assessment may be best conducted using a range of practical exercises and scenarios/case studies/what ifs as well as through questions to check the reasoning behind the observable actions These assessment activities should include a range of routine problems that may have been generated from the past incident history and hazardous incidents in similar work contexts within the sector and/or industry A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment