#Workplace Safety
By Team Seaglass
Senior living facilities are dynamic care environments, with lots of moving pieces. While staff is focused on providing comfort and dignity for residents, we must also recognize that staff safety should be a top priority as well. Employees face a variety of workplace hazards daily – from physical strains to infectious exposures – that can lead to serious injury or illness if not effectively managed.
In this month’s blog, we will focus on 10 common hazards in senior care settings, complete with realistic examples and prevention strategies that employers can put into practice.
1. Lifting and Moving Residents
Scenario: A caregiver attempts to transfer a resident from bed to wheelchair without assistance. Midway through the transfer, the resident shifts weight unexpectedly, causing the caregiver to strain their back.
Why it’s a hazard:
Manual resident handling is a leading cause of muscle strains among staff. Improper lifting techniques or lack of mechanical lifting devices increase injury risk.
Prevention Measures:
• Provide mechanical lift devices and ensure staff are trained in their use
• Offer routine training on body mechanics and safe transfer protocols
• Teach staff to recognize changing mobility limitations among residents so that appropriate resident transfer techniques can be applied
2. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Scenario: A dietary aide walks into the kitchen where a spill has not yet been cleaned. Without proper signage or wearing slip-resistant shoes, this employee walks through the spill and falls injuring their wrist.
Why it’s a hazard:
Senior living facilities have high foot traffic, and frequent un-wiped spills or clutter on the floor can lead to slip/trip/falls causing injury.
Prevention Measures:
• Establish Slip/Fall Prevention protocols, including daily housekeeping, routine safety inspections, and immediate spill clean-up procedures
• Ensure high-traffic areas have non-slip mats and proper drainage
• Establish a Slip Resistant Shoe Policy for all staff
3. Aggressive Resident Behavior or Workplace Violence
Scenario: A resident with dementia becomes confused and lashes out, striking a CNA during evening care.
Why it’s a hazard: Physical aggression and unpredictable behaviors are not uncommon among seniors displaying dementia symptoms. Staff often feel unprepared or unsupported when these incidents occur.
Prevention Measures:
• Train staff to recognize behavior ques, de-escalation techniques and safe responses when these behaviors are displayed.
• Maintain behavior care plans and alert staff to high-risk individuals
• Implement a clear reporting and support system for affected employees
4. Exposure to Infectious Diseases
Scenario: During flu season, several residents fall ill. A nurse, working a double shift without proper PPE, contracts the virus and unknowingly spreads it to others.
Why it’s a hazard: Staff work in close, frequent contact with residents, family members, and other staff increasing the risk of unintended exposure. Anyone who is infected can spread illnesses through coughing/sneezing, touching contaminated objects, or other sources.
Preventive Measures:
• Reinforce standard precautions and proper PPE usage
• Offer onsite vaccinations and sick leave options
• Isolate infected individuals and enhance cleaning during outbreaks
5. Needle Sticks and Sharps Injuries
Scenario: A nurse recaps a used needle out of habit. The needle slips, puncturing her glove and hand
Why it’s a hazard: Needles sticks can lead to blood borne pathogen exposure (i.e. Hepatitis B, HIV)
Prevention Measures:
• Provide safety-engineered sharps devices. Never recap needles or insulin pens
• Place sharps disposal containers within arms reach in all clinical areas. Never leave sharps on trays or tables
• Replace sharps disposal containers when they are ¾ full. Never allow containers to fill to the top
6. Chemical Exposure
Scenario: A housekeeper mixes two cleaning agents without realizing the combination creates toxic fumes. She experiences dizziness and respiratory irritation.
Why it’s a hazard: Strong cleaning agents are frequently used in senior care settings for infection control purposes. Incorrect handling or mixing can result in chemical burns or respiratory injuries.
Preventive Measures:
• Label all chemicals clearly and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Train staff on safe usage, handling, and storage procedures
• Equip workers with gloves, masks, and eye protection as needed
7. Repetitive Motion and Ergonomic Strain
Scenario: A receptionist develops wrist pain from continuous typing without wrist support. Over time, the pain worsens into carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why it’s a hazard: Tasks like pushing wheelchairs, repetitive cleaning, and desk work can lead to cumulative trauma resulting in muscle strain
Preventive Measures:
• Conduct ergonomic assessments of common tasks and workstations
• Promote task rotation and microbreaks for tasks that have repetitive actions
• Offer training on proper posture and movement techniques where applicable
8. Fire and Emergency Risks
Scenario: A fire alarm goes off in the memory care wing. Staff struggle to evacuate non-ambulatory residents because of blocked exits and lack of clear roles/responsibilities.
Why it’s a hazard: In emergencies, residents rely entirely on staff for evacuation. Inadequate pre-planning increases the risk of injury or death to residents, as well as staff.
Preventive Measures:
• Perform regular fire drills and review evacuation protocols
• Assign staff roles for emergency response and ensure proper training
• Keep exits, hallways, and emergency supplies clear and readily accessible
9. Mental Health and Burnout
Scenario: A caregiver working long shifts begins to feel emotionally drained, making small but risky mistakes in daily care tasks.
Why it’s a hazard: Chronic stress and fatigue can lead to burnout, errors, and physical health issues. If these conditions are not addressed, there is higher risk for staff injury, lower quality of care, higher turnover, and low morale.
Preventive Measures:
• Encourage regular breaks and time off without guilt
• Provide access to mental health support and employee assistance programs
• Cultivate a positive, team-oriented workplace culture
10. Inadequate Training and Communication
Scenario: A new employee is unsure how to use a lift device and attempts to transfer a resident without proper instruction, resulting in injuries to the resident and the employee.
Why it’s a hazard: Gaps in training, unclear communication, or inconsistent reinforcement of expectations can lead to serious incidents.
Preventive Measures:
• Implement structured onboarding and safety orientation
• Use shift hand-offs and safety huddles to communicate changes or risks
• Reinforce policies with signage, visual aids, and active coaching/monitoring of staff activities
Senior living staff are compassionate, committed, and essential – but their roles can be physically and emotionally demanding. By understanding the top workplace hazards and investing in prevention, employers not only protect their teams, but also improve the quality of care delivered to residents.
A safer workplace is a better workplace – for everyone.