Reading List

The sources below are official guidance used to support this course. They are grouped by topic so you can find material relevant to your role. The course uses Great Britain HSE guidance, signposts Northern Ireland through HSENI, and includes England-specific care-regulation examples from CQC where helpful.

Slips, trips and health and social care

• HSE: Slips and trips in health and social care
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/slips/index.htm
  The main health and social care source for this course. Covers why slips, trips and falls happen and key factors such as cleaning methods, flooring, footwear, lighting, contrast and obstructions.
• HSE: Managing the risk of slips and trips in health and social care
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/slips/what-you-need-to-do.htm
  Aimed at senior care staff and supervisors. Sets out risk assessment themes, individual factors and organisational controls, with practical points on cleaning and flooring.
• HSE: Slips and trips - cleaning
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning/topics/slips.htm
  Practical advice for domestic, housekeeping and care staff. Explains how cleaning can create hazards and why signs or cones warn people but do not prevent access to a wet area.

Work at height, ladders and stepladders

• HSE: Work at height
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm
  Overview of legal and practical issues for work at height, including low-height tasks common in care settings.
• HSE: Safe use of ladders and stepladders
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/ladders/index.htm
  Explains that ladders and stepladders are permitted when used sensibly and proportionately and are suitable for the task.
• HSE: How and when to use a ladder at work
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/ladders/when-how-to-use-ladders-safely.htm
  Helps decide whether a ladder or stepladder is appropriate. Covers risk assessment, short-duration low-risk use, competence and stable conditions.
• HSE: Types of ladder and using them safely
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/ladders/types-of-ladder.htm
  Guidance on leaning ladders, telescopic ladders, stepladders and combination ladders, including avoiding overreaching and maintaining contact.

Resident falls and care regulation

• NICE guideline NG249: Falls assessment and prevention
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng249
  Clinical and care-planning guidance for older people and people aged 50 and over at higher risk. This course signposts the guideline but does not replace it.
• CQC Regulation 15: Premises and equipment
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-15
  England-specific guidance on maintaining clean, suitable and properly used premises and equipment. Relevant to floors, storage, maintenance, cleaning and environmental checks.
• CQC Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-12
  England-specific guidance on assessing and managing risks to people's health and safety, including when environmental hazards should inform care planning and governance.

Reporting and four-nations signposting

• HSE: RIDDOR in health and social care
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/riddor.htm
  Guidance to help employers decide when incidents are reportable under RIDDOR in Great Britain. Frontline staff should follow their employer's internal reporting procedure first.
• HSENI: Slips and trips
  https://www.hseni.gov.uk/topics/slips-and-trips
  Northern Ireland signposting on slips and trips, emphasising that everyone in the workplace has a role in prevention.
• HSENI: Work at height
  https://www.hseni.gov.uk/topics/work-height
  Northern Ireland signposting for work at height, including reminders about suitable access equipment and ladder safety.
• Care regulators outside England
  https://www.careinspectorate.wales/
  https://www.careinspectorate.com/
  https://www.rqia.org.uk/
  Care services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should follow their regulator's requirements and local employer procedures alongside health and safety guidance.