Communal areas have a multitude of functions, from entrance halls with stairs, lifts, receptions, to dining rooms, kitchens and staff rooms.
A cross section of people use these communal areas, varying ages, abilities and health. All people who may use these areas have to be taken into account when making a risk assessment.
Employers, care home owners also have a responsibility for the health and safety of people who do not work for them but may be affected by their work activities. These include service users, visitors, volunteers, and contractors' employees working on their premises.
Some examples of where people may be affected by the undertaking are:
- icy pavements causing visitors to slip;
- scalding risks to service users;
- service users falling from windows/balconies;
- contractors not informed of location of asbestos or a fragile roof: and
- provision of safe equipment/substances for volunteers to use.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, employees have to take care of their own health and safety and that of others and to co-operate with their employers. If you have staff who's first language is not English, you need to make arrangements so that they can access and understand health and safety procedures, including training.
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