Care settings are usually called residentials. There are many residential settings. Including those for elder people, or people with disabilities, and looked-after children. It is important that health and safety is taken very seriously in these settings.
You have to be sure that any residents can escape in case of a fire. And you also have to make sure that they don't get in the way of other people or cause danger. It is important to inform peers and other residents about health and safety and what to do in case anything could go wrong.
In some settings people can come in and go out whenever they want. But, in a setting where there are people who may be confused or young children, this would be inappropriate. It would be a bad idea because road traffic accidents could occur.
If anyone is to go out the staff must know so that the individual can be brought back safely.
Hospital
Health care settings contain a lot of hazards. The hazards particular to the hospital include things like microbes infecting wounds during or after a surgery. There can also be radiation from x rays and radiotherapy and drugs which can be addictive
. Another risk which can be found in a hospital is anesthetic gases these can be harmful if used in the wrong way so they should be carefully administered. Also hypodermic needles have to be disposed of safely or someone else can be infected.
Fires can also cause problems in a health setting. Big organizations such as hospitals usually have zones divided up to help clear people out easily in case of a fire. It may be very difficult to evacuate patients who are really ill because some of them may rely on complex equipment to survive.
Day care
Day care settings do not tend to have any specific hazards. But there some normal dangers which can occur to vulnerable people.
The care provided is non-acute and those who are cared for are quite independent. The most common accidents that would occur would be things like slips and trips, so extra care has to be taken to work neatly and deal with any hazards promptly and quickly. There are also fire hazards and food hygiene which also need to be considered.
During cold weather, staff may need to consider weather users are safe at home – if they are unable to attend due to poor weather.
Pre-school, Child-minder, Infant school
These types of settings should be very safe, because young children will not be skilled at sensing danger.
Babies, toddlers and children are naturally curious, so this can lead to them into situations which can be dangerous. Potentially dangerous behaviors include;
- Placing tiny objects in the mouth and this can cause choking or it may potentially be poisonous.
- Opening gates, this could lead to the children getting lost or wandering off to somewhere they shouldn't be.
- Opening cupboard doors and drawers, this could lead to the children getting hold of sharp knives or other dangerous substances.
There is also a risk of children of climbing and falling, or becoming stuck and annoyed.

If you are walking in a pre-school setting you have to be focused and paying careful attention to your surroundings and look out for anything that could be dangerous.

The staff are fully responsible for making sure that activities are safe and that they are supervised properly and they have to take into account any special needs that the young children may have. For example allergies.

As the children develop from toddlers to infants, you can teach them more about the dangers before you start an activity. One way in which you can do this is by asking them questions like what would happen if they are not careful.

Any location where an individual receives care services (including in own home or the community)
Out of all the care settings community settings can be the most hazardous because it is really difficult to have full control over health and safety.
The care workers in the community have a high priority in health and safety. Individuals who are receiving care in their own home can be offered advice on health and safety. This can include things like trip hazards or the fitting of safety equipment.
Retail areas
City-center shopping areas and retail parks are usually very safe. They are mostly wheel-chair friendly and well lit with pavements. But, some retail areas can have signs on the pavement outside their shops to get the attention of shoppers. These signs can be a hazard to people with poor vision. Individuals with learning disabilities and small children can become disorientated when they are out in a very busy shopping area, this can lead to them losing track of where their careers are.
Also busy streets can also encourage pickpockets, so you may have to inform individuals about keeping their belongings such as purses and wallets hidden away out of reach.
Swimming pool
The primary hazards at a swimming pool are caused by behavior which is careless. For example things like diving in the shallow water, messing about in the pool and also running on floors which are wet. These can all cause serious head injuries or even may cause drowning. If people are going to a swimming pool the supervisor has to be very vigilant on what is going on around them.
Public park A public park is usually a safe place and is usually free of traffic. However you may need to consider whether there are any dangers from other park users. An example would be, if young people use the park as a place to ride their bikes, this could potentially be a hazard for older people who might be weak on their feet.
In public parks most equipment is well maintained but parks are on odd occasions targeted by vandals, and this could leave equipment in a dangerous state for children. So to avoid letting children play on dangerous equipment you should always check beforehand that the equipment is safe to use. The carer also has to assess how suitable the equipment is, this can be done according to the development stage of the child. Under the equipment there is usually soft padding so that when children fall of they do not get injured.
Sports ground
Taking people to big events like football matches can be really stressful. Football matches usually be very crowded and also there is a lot of noise from fans. There can also be frustration from the crowds and also anger. People may become detached from the group, or they could be involved in something which results in violence. This can be distressing. Also need to ensure that toilets are close by if anyone is wanting to go quickly.

Beach
A trip to the beach can be really enjoyable, but at the same time be hazardous. Beaches can become very crowded this may be due to hot weather, this makes it difficult to see everyone and can also cause you to lose vision of any children.
So to help with distinguishing yourself the person should take something distinctive, like a brightly colored jacket, this will allow everyone to know where you are at all times. Another potential hazard could be the sea water. Some beaches are integrated steeply into the water, so it is easy to swim into deep waters very quickly if you are not care full. The kids should all have floats when in the water or someone must be holding their hand because the current of the water will drag a child along very easily.
Transport
For need to road travel, ensure that seat belts are always worn, and have enough staff to ensure that the driver does not get distracted. If taking children or vulnerable adults walking near roads, you need enough care workers supervising to prevent people walking onto the road, maybe even one worker for every two people.
Train travel can also be quite hazardous, as railway stations may be busy, large and noisy, which some people find quite intimidating. It is vital to keep individuals away from the platform edge, as trains passing through can suck people in if they stand too close.
The floors on modern buses can often be lowered to allow access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, so this is another option. To prevent falls, make sure people sit down before the bus moves off and don’t stand up until it has stopped. The driver can be alerted that you want to get off by pressing the bell.
- People receiving care
- Patients
Patients in a health and social care setting should all behave in a decent manner and not cause harm or risks to the other individual or staff at the workplace. The patient could be self-medicating and if they are then they should do so by taking their medicine and by keeping their medicine in a safe place so that it would not be in contact with anyone else.
Workers in a setting
- Care staff
Based in a setting
If there are staff shortages or other problems to do with staff then the staff at the workplace may rush their job. This can cause injuries and accidents to occur. Also if care staff are tired or not feeling well then this can also cause the care workers to lose concentration and not look after the residents as they should.
Support staff
- Caterers
Caterers should make sure that if they spill or break anything that these things are dealt with promptly and without causing a fuss.
- Cleaners
Cleaners have a responsibility to clean up after people and also make sure the place is clean and tidy to avoid any diseases spreading around and also for the visitors.
- Administrative
Health care administrators have a job to lead and manage the working place. They have a big responsibility in the health and social care setting.
- Visitors
People who may be visiting the patient or a family member must ensure that when they do enter the care home or setting that they notify a member of staff and also report any disease they may have because they could be passed along to the other service users. Relatives, Friends, Volunteers
Everyone else who visits a health and social care place should also be aware of health and safety and take responsibility for it. For example people can close the doors behind them when they enter or leave a room. Or they can inform and report a hazard and they should also behave in a good manner and be considerate to other people who are present.