Posted By chris edwards
I have been asked to have a look round a residential home and offer advice, this is well out of my comfort zone, I have a background in waste and transport. What should I be looking for that is specific for this type out home

Posted By Thomas Kennedy
Chris

Get yourself a copy of Health and Safety in Care Homes. HS(G) 220.

This publication provides extensive guidance under the following headings:
Legal duties
Health, Safety and Welfare of residents
Management of health and safety
Incidents
Occupational health
Water temperatures
Manual handling
General working environment
Central heating systems
Electrical safety
Kitchen safety
Laundry safety
Outdoor health and safety
Violence to staff

Tommy

Posted By Garry Homer
I hope they have not asked you because you are unfamiliar with what you should be looking out for.

To add to the previous posting with my thoughts.

The residents will be more vulnerable to slips and trips than your average person so there will be plenty of floors, staircases, handrails, etc to check. There should be an accident book that will highlight the type and frequency of accidents.

Fire safety zones, automatic closing fire/smoke doors, smoke ventilation and evacuation procedures.

Check the home's records for electrical periodic inspection reports and any fire and gas safety reports - were the recommendations put into practice?

Garry

Posted By jackw.
Hi, agree with advice, get yourself a copy of H&S in care homes..very useful. Also refer to the Care Commission guidelines. For us the major issues are fire safety (Rosepark nursing home is in my area), moving and handling, fall prevention for residents (our local health trust has a specialist team that you may be able to refer too. Health and Hygiene are also areas to consider. and believe it or not challenging behaviour/violence.

Hope this helps.