General health and safety
Always carry out a visual check to make sure that you are satisfied with the environment and equipment needed to carry out the task. For example, trip hazards that cannot be easily remedied or poor weather when gardening.
Review the task when on site and only carry out if you feel it is safe to do so.
Do not work at height.
Equipment
Ensure that you use appropriate equipment for the task.
You should carry out a visual check every time you use a piece of electrical equipment. Below are some examples of what you should look for:
damage to the plug, such as cracked casing, bent pins or signs of overheating o damage to the cable covering, such as cuts, fraying or abrasion
damage to the outer cover of the equipment which could result in access to live parts
evidence of obvious loose parts or overheating, such as burn marks or staining
non-standard joints, including taped joints in the cable
check that the outer covering of the cable is not being gripped where it enters the plug or equipment (in these cases, the coloured insulation of the internal wires will be showing).
Please do not attempt to carry out any electrical repairs as this should only be completed by an appropriately qualified professional.
Manual Handling
Make sure that you can safely lift any item(s), following general manual handling guidance.
Please bear in mind that the majority of injuries are caused by lifting and carrying loads that are too heavy or are too difficult for one person to carry comfortably.
Ensure that the activities do not place yourself or others at risk.
Substances hazardous to health
Avoid using or purchasing any substances hazardous to health.
For all products used, please follow the safety instructions displayed on the packaging of the product and consider using protective gloves if the substance is corrosive.
Personal protective equipment
Consider the nature of the task and come prepared with appropriate clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as flat closed toe shoes for gardening.
Accidents, incidents, and concerns
If you have an accident, a near miss or any safety concerns, make sure you report it to onHand promptly. We can use this information to help prevent future accidents and incidents.
Remember, if there are any issues or concerns with the environment, equipment or activity that cannot be easily and safely remedied, do not carry out the task.
Outside tasks
Check the weather conditions and do not carry out any outside task if you feel that it would be unsafe to do so, e.g. wet or icy conditions and extreme heat.
Pet care
Infection, parasites and diseases:
Ensure proper documentation is seen for vaccination against parasites and Kennel Cough.
Obtain permission from the pet owner to inspect their pets for flea infestation and treat accordingly.
Dog faeces should be disposed of mechanically, using specially designed removal equipment; otherwise consideration must be given to personal protection, including wearing protective clothing, using a shovel/long handled poop scoop, using a hoop to hold refuse sacks open.
Personal protective clothing should be worn as appropriate when cleaning animals’ cages, including gloves, protective eye wear, shovel/long handled scoop, using a hoop to hold refuse sacks open.
Wash your hands each time after each contact with pet and/or its environment.
Hygiene:
Do not eat and drink near where you are caring for someone’s pet.
If you are carrying out pet care and food preparation tasks during the same visit, clothing that was worn while dealing with pets should ideally not also be worn in areas where food for humans is prepared or consumed.
Open wounds must be covered at all times and while in presence of animals.
Aggressive behaviour:
Dogs do not like to fight. However, occasionally an aggressive dog may be encountered. Aggressive behaviour is usually a sign of stress and anxiety in the animal. A proper introduction to the dog by the owner is recommended. This should be undertaken in the form of a dog walk together with the volunteer, initially on a lead, then off the lead in a large secure area to ensure that no aggressive tendencies are observed.
Feeding of pets should take place in a controlled area.
When walking a dog in public any children should be told not to approach the dog. If the dog comes to them they should be told to stand still like a tree and let the dog sniff them. Only if the dog is wagging and panting and coming to them for attention should a child be allowed to touch the dog, and then only if the child’s parent and the dog’s owner have both given permission.
Dog owners should gauge their dog’s reaction to strangers. If the dog is overly excited, barking or growling, cowering away, trying to hide, or otherwise showing signs of anxiety or aggression, the dog should be kept separate from children for the entire duration of the dog walk.
Dogs should not be allowed to greet visitors at the door. This is for the safety of the dog and the visitors. Keep dogs in a separate room until any visitor is settled and then allow the dog to greet them, if appropriate. If you are not sure about the dog, leave it confined or keep it on a lead.
Loss or injury during external exercise:
Ensure dogs are kept on a lead throughout the exercise period with ample play when confined within a safe area (such as a garden or a designated, enclosed dog walking field).
Walk only dogs from the same household together (not with your own dog) to prevent stress within the pack and ensure adequate control is maintained.
Transport
onHand has a duty of care to ensure that all volunteers comply with any legal requirements. Volunteer drivers need to comply with all legal requirements, as with everyday motoring:
Your vehicle must be properly licensed, and taxed.
Your vehicle must be properly insured.
Your vehicle must have a valid MoT certificate.
Drivers must hold a valid full driving licence.
Drivers must be able to read a car number plate at a distance of 20-22 meters (67-75 feet). This may be done with spectacles or contact lenses if these are usually worn. Drivers’ eyesight should be checked regularly as it can deteriorate gradually.
Seatbelts the law and good practice:
Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts, where fitted. Drivers should remind their passengers to use their seatbelt.
Where passengers have a Medical Exemption Certificate issued by their doctor, which means that wearing a belt could worsen their medical condition, it is best for an unbelted passenger to sit in the rear seat on the passenger side, with no-one sitting in the front passenger seat.
All passengers should have a lap and diagonal seat belt. Some cars may only have two seat belts on the back seat, not three, or only have a lap belt for the middle seat. This may mean that you do not use the centre rear seat in some cars.
Volunteer drivers must report any illness which might put a passenger at risk and of any medication which may affect their ability to drive. Drivers also need to keep onHand up to date with any changes in their condition, for example any new medication that could affect their driving.
Although the law says that vehicles used primarily for private purposes are not covered by the no smoking regulations, onHand has a no smoking policy for drivers and passengers. This includes drivers not smoking in their vehicles on the way to pick up or whilst waiting for their passenger. Smoke in a vehicle can be unpleasant for other people and can aggravate respiratory conditions.
Passengers may have a range of health problems and/or disabilities which will affect them in different ways: hearing, speech or sight impairment, mobility or memory problems. Always ask the passenger what help they need, do not presume anything.
On leaving home:
Make sure that their property is secure and the passenger has their keys.
The passenger should take any medication they may need.
Check the passenger has all that they require for the trip.
On returning home:
See the passenger to the door and settle them in if they wish.
Make sure they are happy and safe to be left.
Notify the onHand volunteer manager if you have any concerns.
If there is no reply when collecting a passenger:
Ring or text the onHand volunteer manager.
Enquire from the neighbours what might have happened.
In cases of real anxiety ring 999.
A passenger with hearing or speech problems:
Remember that kind clear actions often speak louder than words.
A passenger with sight impairment:
Always guide by letting the partially sighted person hold your arm. Resist the natural temptation to steer them from behind.
Check that their feet are pointing in the same direction as yours.
As you walk together keep your arm down by your side. If all is correct, their arm will be bent to hold your elbow. The passenger will be walking beside you half a step behind.
As you walk the natural movement of your body will convey when to stop or turn. It will also help them to gauge the height of kerb and steps.
Talk to them about what is ahead.
When approaching stairs, it is important to say whether they are going up or down and make it clear when it is the last step.
When getting into a car approach the vehicle and place your guiding hand on the passenger door handle. Let the passenger find the handle with their hand and place their other hand on the roof above so that they can gauge the height of the door. Make it clear which way the car is facing.
Encourage them to open the door and sit down without your intervention.
Simply advise them to locate the corner of the door as they open it and to establish the seat position with their other hand. Watch that they do not hurt their head.
When getting out of a car, check that it is clear for the passenger to open the door.
A passenger who has had a stroke:
Speak slowly and clearly rather than loudly.
Say a little at a time and be prepared to repeat it if the passenger does not grasp what is said at once.
Allow plenty of time for them to take in what you say and to respond.
It will be helpful to speak simply but hurtful to talk to the passenger as thought they were a child.
Walk at their pace.
Concentrate on one task at a time, talking whilst walking, for example, may be impossible.
It is advisable to carry a mobile phone.
Make sure you have the telephone number for onHand (02034882912).
If a passenger is unwell at home:
Ask if they would like the doctor to be called.
Ask if they would like neighbours or relatives informed.
Inform the hospital or day centre where they were expected.
If the passenger becomes unconscious call the ambulance service by dialling 999.
If a passenger is unwell in transit:
Stop somewhere safe.
Investigate the problem.
If necessary drive to the nearest Accident and Emergency department.
In a real emergency dial 999.
If there is a vehicle breakdown/emergency:
Pull off the road as far as is possible. Switch on the hazard lights.
On a motorway, drive or coast to an emergency phone.
Tell the control centre the number of your breakdown organisation, the car registration and the number shown on the nearest road marker post.
Return immediately to the car and re-assure the passenger.
If there is an accident:
Check the health of the passenger.
If they or anyone else is injured call 999.
If there are no apparent injuries and another car is involved, exchange all the necessary insurance details as normal.
If needed, ask the passenger if they would like to be taken to the nearest Accident and Emergency department or to their GP.