#Workplace Safety
By Team Seaglass
Sarah had always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. As a home healthcare worker, she spent her days caring for elderly and disabled patients, assisting with everything from medication management to mobility support. But one day, as she attempted to help a patient from bed to wheelchair, she felt a sharp pain in her back. What started as a routine task turned into a months-long struggle with injury and recovery. Unfortunately, Sarah’s experience is all too common in the home healthcare industry.
Home healthcare workers provide essential services to patients in the comfort of their homes, yet they face numerous occupational hazards that put their health at risk. From musculoskeletal injuries to workplace violence, these workers encounter dangers that are often overlooked. The good news? Both employers and employees can take steps to reduce these risks and create a safer working environment.
The Occupational Hazards of Home Healthcare
Every day, home healthcare workers like Sarah navigate a unique and unpredictable work environment. Unlike hospital settings, where safety protocols and equipment are standardized, home healthcare presents a variety of hazards, including:
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Lifting and transferring patients without proper support can lead to serious injuries. According to 2017 data from OSHA, nursing assistants in the healthcare industry suffer 5 times more muscle strain injuries than any other industry.
• Workplace Violence: Workers may be exposed to verbal abuse, threats, or even physical assaults, particularly in unfamiliar or unsafe surroundings.
• Exposure to Hazardous Substances: Handling sharps, dealing with bodily fluids, and managing medications can lead to infections or accidental exposures.
• Environmental Hazards: Cluttered spaces, poor lighting, and unsanitary conditions can result in slips, falls, and other injuries.
• Driving-Related Accidents: With frequent travel between clients’ homes, home healthcare workers face a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents.
What Employers Can Do to Protect Workers
Employers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of their home healthcare staff. By implementing comprehensive safety measures, they can help prevent injuries and create a more supportive work environment. Some key steps include:
1. Providing Proper Training: Employers should offer thorough training on safe patient handling, de-escalation techniques for workplace violence, and infection control procedures.
2. Conducting Home Safety Assessments: Before assigning workers to a client’s home, employers should assess the environment for potential hazards and make necessary modifications. These assessments help caregivers prepare for patient needs and determine the appropriate use of patient handling devices, such as patient handling lifts, friction-reducing devices for patient repositioning, and toileting and bathing devices.
3. Ensuring Access to Safety Equipment: Supplying patient transfer devices, slip-resistant footwear, and personal protective equipment (PPE) can help reduce the risk of injury.
4. Developing Violence Prevention Policies: Implementing protocols for reporting threats and ensuring workers have access to emergency support can enhance safety. Employers can implement staff alarm protection systems, which allow employees to quickly signal for help in emergencies. These systems may include GPS-enabled panic buttons, mobile check-in apps, and real-time location tracking to ensure that workers can receive immediate assistance if they face threats or medical emergencies.
5. Promoting Safe Driving Practices: Employers should encourage defensive driving training and ensure workers have reliable transportation. This includes conducting regular Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) reviews to screen employees for a history of traffic violations and unsafe driving behaviors. Employers can also implement driver telematics services, which use GPS and vehicle monitoring technology to track driving habits, identify risky behaviors such as speeding or harsh braking, and provide real-time coaching to improve driver safety.
While employers are responsible for setting safety standards, employees must also take proactive steps to protect themselves on the job. Some important measures include:
1. Avoiding Manual Lifting: NIOSH recommends that caregivers do not manual lift patients over 35 lbs. Instead, workers should utilize patient mobility devices such as mechanical lifts, friction-reducing devices, and air-assist devices to safely reposition, transfer, and support patients.
2. Staying Aware of Surroundings: Being mindful of potential hazards, such as loose rugs or aggressive pets, can help workers avoid accidents.
3. Reporting Safety Concerns: If a home environment feels unsafe, workers should communicate their concerns to their employer and request additional support.
4. Utilizing Staff Alarm Protection Systems: Employees should take advantage of staff alarm systems if provided by their employer. These systems allow workers to quickly alert supervisors or emergency responders if they encounter threats or medical emergencies, improving response times and ensuring help is available when needed.
5. Prioritizing Self-Care: Fatigue and stress can increase the likelihood of injuries, so workers should take breaks and seek support when needed.
Home healthcare workers provide compassionate care to some of the most vulnerable members of society, but their own safety should never be overlooked. By taking a collaborative approach—where both employers and employees commit to best safety practices—these essential workers can continue their vital roles without unnecessary risk. After all, those who dedicate their lives to caring for others deserve to be protected as well.