Unit 3 assignment 1 Aleena Habib
P1: Explain potential hazards and the harm that may arise from each in a health and social care
setting.
A hazard is the risk of something occurring. There are 7 different places where hazards can occur. These
are environment, equipment, infection, substances, working conditions, working practices and security
systems.
Hazards that can occur in the physical environment are things that can affect people’s health and the
natural environment around them. There are 2 types of environmental hazards. These are natural hazards
and manmade hazards. Natural hazards are things that we don’t have control over and would happen
regardless of whether people are there or not. Examples of these are earthquakes, volcanoes and storms.
Manmade hazards are hazards that are caused by people. An example of this may be people throwing
litter on the floor and someone smoking. This can be seen as a hazard because it has the potential to harm
others around them like people’s health and wellbeing. For example, when we take kids out to the park,
we need to ensure that the baby’s temperature remains the same as it would be dangerous if the child get’s
too hot or too cold. A negative result of this could be the baby getting hospitalized or dying.
Hazards that can occur by equipment are things that can occur from people being untidy or things being
left around the rooms. Examples of these could be, damaged equipment, overloading sockets, hot surfaces
and things blocking places. An example of this could be a parent putting a hot cup of tea on the table.
Their child may accidentally knock into the table and spill the tea all over themselves. This can be seen as
a hazard because the child is left unattended which means that they could be in harms way. This could
then result in the child being hospitalized due to burns.
Hazards that can occur by infections are things that occur from substances which are biological like
bacteria. Examples of these could be viruses, bacteria and many other infections. An example of this may
be someone going to hospital due to MRSA. This can be transmitted to other people that may be visiting
the hospital like family members by skin to skin contact. As well as this, someone may get an infection
due to workers in the settings not planning properly. As a result, patients may be required to have limbs
chopped off.
Hazards that can occur by substances is the exposure to different types of chemicals for a long period of
time or a short period of time. Examples of these could be drugs, chemicals, cleaning products and many
more. For example, if someone has been admitted into a mental health facility, it needs to be ensured that
they receive their individual care as well as them following their care plan properly. If a patient tends to
have suicidal tendencies or enjoy overdosing, all substances would have to be prohibited when they’re
around. As well as this, the nurses would have to ensure that the patient has taken the pill and make sure
that the patient is carefully watched.
Hazards that can occur by working conditions are things that are in the workplace which can cause harm
on someone. Examples of this could be spillages, carpets, rugs and cords in the way. For example, if a
care worker is working with someone who has mental/ physical disabilities then they are required to look
after them 24/7. However, if the care worker gets lazy, they may neglect their duties and miss some things
out like spillages. This would then lead to the service user injuring themselves and falling over. As a
result, they would end up in hospital and may be psychologically damaged after. This means that the
service user and provider need to be aware of their surroundings in order to prevent them from injuring
themselves.
Hazards that can occur by working practices are things that are in the workplace and gave the potential to
cause harm while you’re working. These can be heavy items, confined spaces, low air quality and tripping
P1: Explain potential hazards and the harm that may arise from each in a health and social care
setting.
A hazard is the risk of something occurring. There are 7 different places where hazards can occur. These
are environment, equipment, infection, substances, working conditions, working practices and security
systems.
Hazards that can occur in the physical environment are things that can affect people’s health and the
natural environment around them. There are 2 types of environmental hazards. These are natural hazards
and manmade hazards. Natural hazards are things that we don’t have control over and would happen
regardless of whether people are there or not. Examples of these are earthquakes, volcanoes and storms.
Manmade hazards are hazards that are caused by people. An example of this may be people throwing
litter on the floor and someone smoking. This can be seen as a hazard because it has the potential to harm
others around them like people’s health and wellbeing. For example, when we take kids out to the park,
we need to ensure that the baby’s temperature remains the same as it would be dangerous if the child get’s
too hot or too cold. A negative result of this could be the baby getting hospitalized or dying.
Hazards that can occur by equipment are things that can occur from people being untidy or things being
left around the rooms. Examples of these could be, damaged equipment, overloading sockets, hot surfaces
and things blocking places. An example of this could be a parent putting a hot cup of tea on the table.
Their child may accidentally knock into the table and spill the tea all over themselves. This can be seen as
a hazard because the child is left unattended which means that they could be in harms way. This could
then result in the child being hospitalized due to burns.
Hazards that can occur by infections are things that occur from substances which are biological like
bacteria. Examples of these could be viruses, bacteria and many other infections. An example of this may
be someone going to hospital due to MRSA. This can be transmitted to other people that may be visiting
the hospital like family members by skin to skin contact. As well as this, someone may get an infection
due to workers in the settings not planning properly. As a result, patients may be required to have limbs
chopped off.
Hazards that can occur by substances is the exposure to different types of chemicals for a long period of
time or a short period of time. Examples of these could be drugs, chemicals, cleaning products and many
more. For example, if someone has been admitted into a mental health facility, it needs to be ensured that
they receive their individual care as well as them following their care plan properly. If a patient tends to
have suicidal tendencies or enjoy overdosing, all substances would have to be prohibited when they’re
around. As well as this, the nurses would have to ensure that the patient has taken the pill and make sure
that the patient is carefully watched.
Hazards that can occur by working conditions are things that are in the workplace which can cause harm
on someone. Examples of this could be spillages, carpets, rugs and cords in the way. For example, if a
care worker is working with someone who has mental/ physical disabilities then they are required to look
after them 24/7. However, if the care worker gets lazy, they may neglect their duties and miss some things
out like spillages. This would then lead to the service user injuring themselves and falling over. As a
result, they would end up in hospital and may be psychologically damaged after. This means that the
service user and provider need to be aware of their surroundings in order to prevent them from injuring
themselves.
Hazards that can occur by working practices are things that are in the workplace and gave the potential to
cause harm while you’re working. These can be heavy items, confined spaces, low air quality and tripping
