Risk assessment in relation to health and safety and key legislation relating to accidents, incidents and emergencies
Undertaking a risk assessment within early years settings, whether in a school, a playgroup, a day nursery or within homes, is very important. When undertaking a risk assessment, consideration must be given to all involved with the setting, such as children and young people, childcare workers, parents/carers and visitors.
Childcare workers who care for children and young people need to be aware of any dangers in the work environment, in order to minimise or prevent accidents and injuries, so risk assessments must be undertaken both indoors and outdoors throughout the day. These risk assessments do not need to be noted, but childcare workers must be aware of dangers during their time at the setting. It is very important that childcare workers (and others such as volunteers and students) work as a team in order to ensure that everybody is aware of the risk assessments that have been undertaken, and that they are amended as required.
Early years childcare workers have a duty to help children and young people to examine and challenge risk within boundaries that are safe to the child, but these risks must be assessed first of all.
The types of risk assessments undertaken in early years settings are as follows:
• lifting and carrying weights
• the arrival and departure of children
• going to the toilet
• pregnant members of staff
• outdoor play
• the indoor area
• babies/children with additional needs
• going for a walk or on a trip
• snack time
• hand washing
• water and sand.
Risk assessment is a method used to prevent accidents and injuries by identifying possible dangers. By doing so, childcare workers must consider the potential risk, and identify it. Following the risk assessment, the level of the risk must be identified and decisions made with regard to the action required to minimise the risk.
When undertaking a risk assessment, the childcare worker will:
• look for the dangers
• decide who is in danger of being injured
• identify the level of the risk
• what action is required to minimise the risk
• record the findings.
It is essential that risk assessments are regularly monitored and reviewed, as changes may occur, for example, new equipment at the setting. Following the risk assessment, the date for the next assessment should be noted. This may be once a week, once a month, once a term or annually, depending on the size of the setting, the number of new childcare workers, or changes to the environment itself. When reviewing risk assessments, the following must be considered:
• Have any changes occurred?
• Are any improvements necessary?
• Have any problems been identified?
• Following accidents or injuries, what action should be taken?
Health and safety legislation and policies within early years settings protect children, childcare workers, carers/parents and visitors to the setting from accidents and injuries. Childcare workers at the setting need to be aware, and have a good knowledge, of the following legislation and policies:
• RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences) Childcare workers are required to follow RIDDOR guidelines for notifying the authorities of any accident or injury at the work setting, and should notify the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) if the accident or injury is serious.
• COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations) This act came into force in 2002 to minimise any harm to children and adults in work settings that keep and use hazardous substances. Substances can cause harm as they are poisonous, harmful or corrosive. All hazardous substances within any work setting should be kept locked and out of the reach of children.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act places responsibility on the employer to ensure that the work setting is as safe as possible. It ensures that everybody works safely and raises awareness of the importance of working safely by showing the HSE poster. Information leaflets on the requirements of the act should be given to everybody who works at the setting.
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) ‘Article 24 ensures that all segments of society, in particular parents and children, are informed, have access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breast-feeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents.’