Health and Safety tasks that should not be carried out without specialist training

Activities you must not carry out without specialist training

There are a number of activities that you must not carry out until you have received specialist training. Usually such training would include some practical elements and assessment by a competent trainer. These activities include:

• Use of equipment such as hoists and lifts to move people and objects safely: each piece of equipment that you will use will have instructions for safe use.
• Medication: there is legislation and guidance that controls the prescribing, dispensing, administration, storage and disposal of medicines.
• Assisting and moving: it is essential that you know about safe moving and handling so you don’t hurt yourself or the individual.
• First aid: this is the immediate assistance given to someone who has been injured or taken ill before the arrival of qualified medical assistance. If you have not been trained you should get help from a qualified first aider or call an ambulance. You should not attempt first aid as you could make their condition or injury worse.
• Emergency procedures: for emergency situations such as fire, explosion, flood, building damage, etc.
• Food handling and preparation: this will help you to prepare food that is safe for individuals to eat and stop you from causing food poisoning.

Working in unsafe ways, ways that have not been agreed with the employer and without appropriate training can mean that you are putting yourself, the individuals you support and others at risk of harm. It may also put the profession into disrepute.

Use to answer question 13.1d of the Care Certificate