General Risk Assessment Form

Excerpt from Barts Health NHS Trust risk assessment form. For the full document please download the attached PDF.

Section 2: Clinical Activity/Task

• Activity / Task to be assessed:
• Ward based volunteer role
• Greeting and speaking with patients
• Taking around teas and coffees
• Tidying up bedside area
• Taking around free papers
• Sitting in day rooms and talking to patients
• Taking around water
• Support discharge and ensuring FFT is complete
• Support during mealtimes (does not include feeding).
• Pick up TTOs
• Befriend
• Take patient out for fresh air
• Shopping
• Responding to call bells on behalf of the staff
• Cigarette breaks
• Activities like playing FIFA games

Background:
This role should not present significant risk but it is good practice to risk assess all volunteer roles. It is important to
ensure volunteer safety whilst working in the Trust.

Hazards identified:
Fire, Slips and Trips, Manual handling, physical or verbal abuse, Safeguarding patients from potential high risk
volunteers using their position to abuse patients

Potential harm or consequence:
Fire – potential to be hurt in a fire, smoke inhalation, burns
Slips and trips – could trip and hurt themselves, broken bones etc
Manual handling – carrying boxes etc potential for hurting their back etc.
Physical or verbal abuse – injury or psychological damage
Volunteer could pose a risk to patients if not supervised

Section 3: Current Control Measures

• All volunteers roles are screened and accessed by the volunteer team before commencing role to ensure that relevant checks are in place before volunteer starts their role
• All volunteers are given an enhanced DBS check
• All volunteers must provide at least one reference
• All volunteers are interviewed for their suitability
• All volunteers must give details of their rotas and shifts and this must be agreed by ward staff
• All volunteers must be trained in basic health and safety information and advice relating to the premises, and the activities they are to undertake including: Fire training, manual handling and infection control
• All volunteers must be provided with emergency procedures and details of the first aid arrangements.
• All volunteers must be adequately supervised at all times
• All Trauma Active Response Volunteer should pass statutory and Mandatory Training
• Volunteers undergo Active Response volunteer induction training
• The volunteers must not be permitted to handle equipment unless training has been given and there is adequate supervision
• There a named person in the department who will be responsible for volunteers.
• If the volunteer is provided with any necessary personal protective equipment.
• The volunteer must be training in using the equipment and reporting any damage or loss of equipment.
• All volunteers are required to wear an ID badge and appropriate uniform
  

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