DW227. Staff Occupational Health (Allergy Risks Assessment and Management)
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Staff Occupational Health (Allergy Risks Assessment and Management) Policy
Policy Statement
{{org_field_name}} recognises that to comply with the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and with associated legislation, it must take all reasonable steps to prevent work-related ill-health and support the general health and wellbeing of its staff.
It also recognises that under the Equality Act 2010 it must make reasonable adjustments to enable staff with long term conditions or disabilities to be employed where they are competent and qualified in all other respects to meet the requirements of the job for which they have applied.
To identify its responsibilities under health and safety and equality legislation {{org_field_name}} carries out pre-employment screening of any health risks to staff based on the information that they request, provide or is obtained from their health checks.
It will continue to review with individual staff any identified risks and remain responsive to any health risks that its staff might develop during the course of their employment. All such activities will be carried out with the full informed consent of the staff members involved and in confidence.
{{org_field_name}} will keep up to date with the latest occupational health guidance on any specific areas of concern.
Application to Staff with Allergy Risks
{{org_field_name}} recognises that it has a duty of care under occupational health and safety laws to assess and manage any risks associated with work-related allergies and allergic reactions suffered by staff.
Where staff report or it is known that they can suffer adverse reactions to known allergens, including the possibility of anaphylaxis, {{org_field_name}} will carry out the following.
- Assess with the individual concerned the risks posed to that person from developing allergic reactions in the course of their work, including:
a. the allergens to which they might be exposed
b. their typical reactions to exposure
c. the actions they take or should take if that experience a sudden allergic reaction. - Assess the risks of allergens being in the individual’s working environments that might trigger adverse reactions, for example, in different parts of the care home or in the different homes visited by a domiciliary care worker.
- Assess and agree any risks arising from the person’s working conditions, for example from lone working and the supports that the person might be given.
- Agree and record the actions needed to prevent and limit any triggering of allergic reactions such as the use of appropriate protective personal equipment.
- Agree and record the actions to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction suffered while carrying out the work, including how the person should access help and ensure the care and safety of service users whom they might be attending to at the time.
Adrenaline Auto-injection Emergency Procedures
It is possible that some staff with known allergy risks of anaphylaxis will have been prescribed some form of adrenaline auto-injector, eg EpiPen, Jext or Emirade, which they might use in an emergency. In line with usual medical practice it is expected that they will carry two devices with them at any one time.
In these instances, {{org_field_name}} will check with the person:
- that they know when and how to use their device and are competent in its use
- what support the person might need if they need to use their injector in an emergency and how to call for help
- if they should carry instructions that would enable a third party to administer the injector if they could not self-inject
- how they would obtain emergency medical help and after-care as recommended
- what information should be given to third parties, eg service users, colleagues on the actions they might or should take in an emergency such as calling 999.
In the event of any emergency incident {{org_field_name}} will also re-assess the risks and review with the person if any adjustments should be made to their agreed procedures.
Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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