Home healthcare workers face unique safety risks due to the changing nature of their work environment. Because these workers visit their clients in private residences, they don’t have a centralized workplace where their employer can work to ensure all possible safety measures are taken care of.
It’s important for home healthcare workers to understand the risks they’re facing when they’re working. This may help them to remain as safe as possible while still being able to get their job duties done.
Common safety risks
Home healthcare workers often suffer from musculoskeletal injuries, which are commonly caused by repositioning patients. The back, knees and shoulders are often affected. Certain equipment, such as lifts or adjustable beds, could help to prevent some of these injuries, but many homes don’t have those available.
Some clients aren’t able to tidy up their homes like they once did. This can mean that there are slip or trip hazards on the floors. Those can lead home healthcare workers to fall, so it’s critical to watch for anything that could lead to these accidents.
Patient violence and exposure to infectious diseases are also possible for these hard workers. Proper training and strict protocols for handling violent patients are important for protecting these workers.
Home healthcare workers who suffer an on-the-job injury should get immediate medical care. Those expenses should be covered by workers’ compensation, and there may be other benefits possible. Working with someone who’s familiar with these matters may be beneficial for individuals who are recovering from an injury.