Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 3: HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CAREUnit 3:Health, Safety and Security inHealth and Social CareNQF Level 3:Guided learning hours: 60BTEC NationalUnit abstractHealth, safety and security issues are extremely important in the health and socialcare sectors in order to protect both the patients/service users and also thoseworking in the sectors. The health and social care work environment is a complexone. For example, individuals could be exposed to a wide range of potential hazardssuch as waste materials, chemicals, intruders on the premises, equipment or risk ofinfection.The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to health, safety and security issues inthe health and social care workplace. It will encourage them to reflect on potentialhazards and how the risk from these may be reduced, also to explore relevantlegislation and guidelines and how these may help to promote a safer workingenvironment, and examine the policies and procedures of specific organisations.Learners then go on to explore the roles and responsibilities of employers andemployees within the health and social care sectors, and finally carry out a survey ofa local environment used by a group of patients/service users.The knowledge gained from this unit will underpin many of the other units in thequalification. It is an essential unit for the preparation of learners for their period ofwork experience, which should provide opportunities for some of the assessment ofthe unit. The unit also provides a useful preparation for work in the health and socialcare sectors and for learners intending to progress on to, for example, degrees insocial work, nursing or other related disciplines.Learning outcomesOn completion of this unit a learner should:1 Understand potential hazards in health and social care2 Understand how legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures promote health,safety and security3 Understand roles and responsibilities for health, safety and security in health andsocial care settings4 Know how to deal with hazards in a local environment.BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 200757