Health and Safety Audit - Care Homes

Q1 | Unanswered

Is there an effective health and safety policy and management system that identifies the real risks in the home, assigns responsibilities and is reviewed when circumstances, people’s needs or guidance change?

Q2 | Unanswered

Are risk assessments proportionate, person-centred and translated into practical controls that protect people, visitors and staff without unnecessarily restricting independence, choice or everyday life?

Q3 | Unanswered

Do staff understand the main health and safety risks in the home and know how to report hazards, defects, near misses and concerns promptly?

Q4 | Unanswered

Are accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences recorded, investigated, escalated and reported to relevant bodies where required, with learning used to prevent recurrence?

Q5 | Unanswered

Are fire risk assessments current and reflective of the building, people’s needs, staffing, equipment, evacuation arrangements and any changes in risk?

Q6 | Unanswered

Are fire doors, escape routes, exits, signage, alarms, emergency lighting and firefighting equipment maintained, accessible and checked in practice?

Q7 | Unanswered

Are personal emergency evacuation plans current, individualised and understood by staff, including the assistance, equipment and staffing each person may need?

Q8 | Unanswered

Do fire drills and emergency exercises test realistic day, night, reduced-staffing and contingency scenarios, with learning followed through?

Q9 | Unanswered

Are business continuity arrangements current and practical for events such as fire, flood, severe weather, loss of utilities, equipment failure, infection outbreak or staffing disruption?

Q10 | Unanswered

Are corridors, stairs, communal areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, entrances and outdoor spaces kept safe, adequately lit and free from avoidable slip, trip, fall and access hazards?

Q11 | Unanswered

Are water safety, hot-water temperatures, Legionella controls and plumbing maintenance monitored and acted upon to protect people from scalding, infection and other avoidable harm?

Q12 | Unanswered

Are electrical installations, portable appliances, extension leads, charging arrangements and emergency equipment checked, maintained and removed from use when unsafe?

Q13 | Unanswered

Are gas, heating, boilers, lifts and other building services appropriately serviced, inspected and risk-managed, with clear action when faults are identified?

Q14 | Unanswered

Are hazardous substances assessed, labelled, stored securely and used safely, with staff able to access and follow relevant COSHH controls and safety information?

Q15 | Unanswered

Are moving and handling assessments current and reflected in everyday care, with the right equipment, techniques and number of competent staff used for each person?

Q16 | Unanswered

Are hoists, slings, beds, wheelchairs, pressure equipment and other care equipment suitable, clean, maintained, inspected and immediately removed from use if unsafe?

Q17 | Unanswered

Are LOLER examinations, servicing, maintenance and defect records complete and acted upon for lifting equipment and accessories where applicable?

Q18 | Unanswered

Are staff trained, supervised and assessed as competent for the safety-critical tasks they undertake, including emergency response, moving and handling, equipment use and risk management?

Q19 | Unanswered

Are staffing levels and deployment sufficient to support safe care, emergency response, supervision, breaks, activities and changing dependency needs across all shifts?

Q20 | Unanswered

Are lone-working, violence, aggression, distress, challenging situations and staff wellbeing risks assessed and managed through practical support, escalation and debriefing?

Q21 | Unanswered

Are kitchen, food-storage, laundry, utility and waste areas maintained safely, with effective controls for food safety, burns, manual handling, chemicals, equipment and access?

Q22 | Unanswered

Are security, visitor, contractor and vehicle arrangements managed so that people are protected from unauthorised access and avoidable harm while remaining welcomed and connected to their community?

Q23 | Unanswered

Are environmental and equipment risks for people with dementia, sensory impairment, mobility needs, frailty, communication needs or distress identified and managed in their personal plans?

Q24 | Unanswered

Are restrictive safety measures, such as locked doors, sensor equipment, bed rails or window restrictors, individually assessed, lawful, proportionate, least restrictive and regularly reviewed?

Q25 | Unanswered

Are maintenance requests and defects prioritised by risk, tracked to completion and controlled safely until repair, replacement or other resolution?

Q26 | Unanswered

Do health and safety checks include observation of real practice, the views of people living in the home and staff, and confirmation that paperwork reflects actual conditions?

Q27 | Unanswered

Do leaders review health and safety performance through audits, incidents, maintenance, staffing, training, complaints and feedback, with clear accountability for action?

Q28 | Unanswered

Can the service demonstrate that its health and safety controls reduce avoidable harm while preserving a high-quality, homely environment and people’s rights, dignity and wellbeing?