Analyse how legislation and guidelines for health and safety inform day to day work with children

Qualification: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 2.3: Use legislation relating to the health and safety of children
Learning outcome: 1 Understand legislation and guidelines for health and safety
Assessment criteria: 1.2 Analyse how legislation and guidelines for health and safety inform day to day work with children

• Health and Safety legislation in Early Years settings is designed to protect both adults and children
• Some legislation is listed below with a (very) brief description:
  • Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – underpins health and safety regulations (below), sets out responsibilities of employer, employees and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
    • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – employers must carry out risk assessments
    • The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 – employers must minimise the health risks associated with moving and handling
    • The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) – employers must record and report injuries, diseases and dangerous occurences to HSE
    • The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) – employers must prevent exposure to harmful substances
    • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 2002 (PUWER) – work equipment must be well-maintained
    • The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 – employers must provide first aid equipment and qualified first-aiders
    • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – employers must take reasonable fire safety precautions
  • Food Safety Act 1990 – anyone handling or preparing food must have good personal hygiene
  • Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 – controls for food safety should be in place
  • Childcare Act 2006 – perform risk assessments, staff to be trained in paedatric first aid, minimum ratios and space requirements plus lots more