Download Handout 2 Employer and Employee Roles and

The principles of infection prevention and control
Handout 2: Employer and employee roles and responsibilities for infection
prevention and control
Learning outcome 1, assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2
Everyone within a health and social care setting has responsibility for preventing
infection. Employees and visitors to a care setting must do all they can to avoid getting
and passing on pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, that cause illness and disease.
Employees and employers working in health and social care settings have particular
roles and responsibilities relating to infection prevention and control.
Employees’ responsibilities
The individuals receiving care and support in health and social care settings are often
more vulnerable to infection, and more likely to suffer the more severe effects of
infection, because of their health problems. As a result, health and social care
employees have a special responsibility to prevent and control infection risks that could
harm service users (see figure 1).
Follow best
practice in
infection
prevention
and control
Ensure
correct use
and disposal
of PPE
Maintain
hand hygiene
Be aware of
infection
control policy
and
procedures
Report
infection risks
to employer
Infection
control:
Employees
should …
Keep high
standards of
personal
health and
hygiene
Take
opportunities
to learn about
infection
control
Maintain a
clean and
hygienic
environment
Figure 1: Employees’ responsibilities
Employer roles and responsibilities
Health and social care employers are responsible for ensuring that all infection controlrelated laws and legal regulations are followed in the workplace. A range of employer
responsibilities are outlined in figure 2.
Establish
infection
prevention and
control policy
and procedure
Undertake risk
assessment
and
management
Keep records
Infection
control:
Employers
should …
Provide
relevant
equipment
Provide training
and
supervision
Identify and
distribute
relevant
information
Figure 2: Employer responsibilities
Infectious diseases can spread rapidly and have severe consequences for users of
health and social care settings. These consequences include serious and even lifethreatening conditions. As a result, it is vital that employers and employees understand
and take seriously their infection prevention and control responsibilities in the care
workplace.