European Week for Safety and Health at Work

Falls prevention is important thought out the year but during the autumn and winter months the risk of falls can be elevated.  During these months it is even more important to consider all falls risks and where possible do what we can to reduce them.

The colourful autumnal leaves, as beautiful as they are, can be a real falls hazard.  Fallen leaves may mask an uneven path or curb.  Wet leaves can be very slippery.  The same with ice and snow.

Staff working out in the community should consider carefully what footwear they use and the amount of grip that their shoes offer.

Office based staff should also consider if they should bring a change of footwear with them to work.  Last year we had a number of staff fall and get injured on the way to/from their car.

With the dark mornings and long darker nights, wearing something warm and reflective can be a real-life saver.  Staff should also consider carrying a torch and making sure they have a means to summons assistance should they slip and become injured.  Again, in previous years we have had several of our community colleagues who have fallen whilst out visiting patients, and some of those have resulted in a long lie on a darkened pathway.

Wet shoes and umbrellas being brought inside our buildings can cause a falls risk with the water pooling in door entrances and along our corridors. 

Over the winter months our external pathways are also at risk of deterioration due to the freezing and re-freezing water, which can open any cracks.  Therefore, regular checks are important and reporting any issues promptly to estates for repair.

As we are now moving towards the winter months, please look at the following key hazards and precautions that we should all take.

Distracted driving

Using mobile phones, eating or adjusting the radio while driving can divert your attention from the road.

Precaution: Always focus on driving, and if necessary, pull over to handle distractions.

Speeding

Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity accidents.

Precaution: Obey speed limits and adjust your speed according to road conditions.#

Drunk driving

Alcohol impairs judgement, coordination and reaction time, making it a major contributor to road accidents. This includes the morning after drinking as you may still be feeling the effects.

Precaution: Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

Weather conditions

Rain, fog, snow and ice can make roads slippery and decrease visibility.

Precaution: Drive cautiously, reduce speed and use headlights and windshield wipers as necessary.

Fatigue

Driving while tired can impair your ability to concentrate and react quickly.

Precaution: Get enough rest before driving long distances, take breaks and switch drivers if possible.

Poor road conditions

Potholes, uneven surfaces and debris on the road can cause accidents or damage to vehicles.

Precaution: Stay alert and drive cautiously, especially on unfamiliar roads.

Pedestrian safety

Failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections can lead to accidents.

Precaution: Always watch for pedestrians and yield the right of way as required by law.

Vehicle maintenance

Malfunctioning brakes, worn tyres or faulty lights can increase the risk of accidents.

Precaution: Regularly maintain your vehicle and address any issues promptly.

Aggressive driving

Tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic and road rage can escalate situations and lead to accidents.

Precaution: Stay calm, be patient and avoid engaging and aggressive drivers.

Seatbelt use

Failure to wear a seatbelt increases the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

Precaution: Always wear your seatbelt and ensure that all passengers do the same.

What is a PEEP?
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is a bespoke plan for individual members of staff/ patients who may require additional support during an evacuation.

Why is a PEEP Important?
A PEEP is important to ensure that everyone can evacuate in the event of an emergency, and staff are aware of the any assistance required for colleagues, patients and service users.

Who needs a PEEP?
A PEEP can be either permanent or temporary depending on the needs of the individual.  A PEEP may be required for anyone who has:

• Mobility impairments
• Sight impairments
• Hearing impairments
• Cognitive impairments

What does a PEEP Include?
The PEEP will include details of the individual, and how can they be helped, details of how they will evacuate the building any equipment or procedures needed.

Creating the PEEP
It is the responsibility of the Line Manager or Nurse in Charge to talk to staff, patients or service users to identify whether they require any assistance in the event of an emergency.  If a member of staff, patient or service user does require assistance the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan should be completed by their Line Manager or Nurse in Charge. Advice and support for writing the PEEP is available from the Trust Fire Safety Team by emailing fireteam@merseycare.nhs.uk.

To create a PEEP please click on the attached document.

Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work. Staff are also encouraged to take responsibility for themselves at work and support others to do the same.

Stress affects people differently – what stresses one person may not affect another. Factors like skills and experience, age or disability may all affect whether a worker can cope. Workers feel stress when they can't cope with pressures and other issues from work or home life which is impacting on them. Providing planning, training, and support can reduce pressure and bring stress levels down and may need a stress risk assessment to be carried out to support the staff member.

If someone you work with is experiencing stress, they should be encouraged to talk to someone, whether it’s a manager, colleague, mental health first aiders, trade union, staff network representative, GP or a member of the occupational health team or our HR department to name a few.

The Trust Prevention and Management of Workplace Pressures Policy provides information and guidance and risk assessment tools for managers and colleagues on the management of workplace stressors.

Additional resources

• Check out our staff wellbeing hub
• Visit Mind's website- for information on helplines, local support services and advice on supporting others through difficult times outside of the organisation.

A workplace inspection is the process of acutely examining the workplace to identify hazards and ensure that all health and safety standards are met.

Check out our workplace inspection policy.

The workplace inspection will include all areas within the workplace including all internal, external and environmental areas. They are the responsibility of the Ward Manager or department lead. This task can be delegated to a competent colleague from the department and the Health and Safety Team are able to guide and support this process.

Under the Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of both the risks to the health and safety of their employees that they encounter whilst at work and the risks to the people not under employment such as visitors and members of the public.

Mersey Care staff currently perform 283 workplace inspections that are carried out at least once per year, however, this is dependent upon the environment, some areas such as health centres and walk in centres will be done on a bi-annual basis.

Within our inpatient establishments for patients and service users, the Workplace Inspection will be carried out quarterly. The Workplace Inspection supports staff and our service users on all sites in ensuring that Health and safety standards are met, eliminating any risks and maintaining a safe workplace. 

The number of inspections carried out in each division are:

1. Secure Care Division - 163
2. Community Care Division - 67
3. Mental Health Care Division - 40
4. Trust Wide Support Services - 9

If you require any support to complete a Workplace Inspection for your area, please contact the Safety Team in the first instance or your identified Divisional Health and Safety Advisor safety.team@merseycare.nhs.uk