Your Responsibilities

• Know the risk factors related to your work, as well as signs and symptoms and potential health effects of injuries.
• Participate in education and training on established safe work procedures and the use of controls
• Cooperate with your employer, joint health and safety committee (or worker representative) and WorkSafeBC officers
• Report signs and symptoms of injuries to your supervisor
• Report unsafe acts or conditions to your supervisor

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Ensure the health and safety of all workers under your direct supervision
• Know the WorkSafeBC requirements that apply to the work under your supervision and make sure those requirements are met
• Ensure workers under your supervision are aware of all known hazards
• Ensure workers under your supervision have the appropriate personal protective equipment, is issued properly, regularly inspected and maintained

Employer Responsibilities

• Establish a valid occupational health and safety program
• Train your staff to do their work safely and provide proper supervision
• Provide supervisors with the necessary support and training to carry out health and safety responsibilities
• Ensure clients are regularly assessed to make sure policies are being followed

• Fix problems reported by staff
• Investigate incidents where staff are injured, or equipment is damaged

Community and home care workers will often drive, or take transit, to a client’s home as part of their job. This means that if you are driving, your car is your mobile workplace while you are visiting clients. Being on the road can be dangerous if you are not prepared.

Preventing hazards related to driving

• Review your driving schedule, ensure it’s do-able and can be carried out safely
• Plan your route before you leave and keep an emergency roadside kit in your car: be aware of the weather and road conditions
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather
• Check to see that you have enough gas in your car
• Ensure that your car is in good repair. This includes making sure your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are working
• If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station, fire hall or hospital and sound your horn to get attention

Are you prepared?

• I have had a good night’s sleep and I have a clear state of mind
• I am fit to drive
• I am not impaired by drugs, alcohol or prescription medication
• I have had something to eat and I have a snack or water with me
• My family, employer and clients are aware that I will be unavailable to answer calls, texts, and emails while driving
• My car is prepared for the day’s work and any weather or road conditions that I may encounter (e.g. mud & snow or snow tires for winter)
• I have an emergency preparedness road kit (see Reference/Resources – Winter Road Safety)
• I am aware of what to do in the event of a motor vehicle accident (see Reference/ Resources – Motor Vehicle Crash Sheet)
• I know to contact my supervisor immediately if it is unsafe for me to drive

When working alone you may face a risk of violence, as the care you are providing may cause a client to feel nervous or agitated. Being exposed to violent or aggressive behavior is not part of your job.

Preventing hazards relating to working alone

Do the following before arriving at the client’s home:

• Scan the area, the neighbourhood and the entrance to the client’s home
• If no concerns are identified, approach the client’s home
• If concerns are identified, go to a safe location and report to your supervisor

Once inside the client’s home

• Observe the client and the behaviour of any other occupant
• Continue to assess both the client and the home environment as you do your work
• If no concerns are identified, continue to do your work
• If concerns are identified, consider the risk to yourself
• If you are unable to reduce the risk and feel threatened, leave and report to your supervisor

Are you prepared?

Before entering the client’s home

• My supervisor has provided me the check-in procedure for working alone
• I have checked the area for hazards
• I have completed the check-in procedure
• I am alert and aware of my surrounding
• I am wearing practical footwear that will allow me to leave quickly if necessary
• I have read the client’s care plan
• I have a mobile phone on, or near me, while I am working so that I can call for help if needed
• I have a clear route that I can take if I need to leave quickly
• I know what to do if I feel threated or unsafe
• I know to contact my supervisor immediately if it is unsafe for me to proceed

Manual client handling and other physical tasks can cause overexertion of your muscles to cause injury. Musculoskeletal injuries are sprains and strains to the muscles and surrounding tissues, which can have life-long impact These are the leading type of injury for home and community care workers.

If you have an injury caused by overexertion or repetitive movement, you may see redness or swelling, feel a dull or aching pain, or experience weakness.

Preventing musculoskeletal injuries

• Ensure that you have reviewed the client assessment and are familiar with the mobility requirements of your client
• Use equipment, such as portable lifts, transfer boards and rails whenever possible
• Read the care plan and check for hazards to assess the risks every time you transfer or reposition a client (See Resource Section – Point of Care Risk Assessment)
• Avoid awkward positions as much as possible and ask your client to assist when appropriate
• Report changes in the client’s abilities so that the care plan can be adjusted
• Report workplace injuries early so that they can be treated quickly
• Check out additional resources and tools on SafeCare BC’s website

Are you prepared?

• I have ensured that the room is tidy and clutter-free to allow me space to work
• I am aware of my client’s mobility needs
• My supervisor has provided me instruction and training on the safe use of available mechanical aids or other equipment
• I am providing my client with cues to help me with all transfers and repositioning tasks
• I have reported information relating to my client’s changing condition that affects his or her ability to transfer or follow directions
• I am aware of the signs and symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury and will report to my supervisor if I am injured
• I know to notify my supervisor immediately if it is unsafe for me to proceed

Violence refers to physical force that causes injury to a worker and includes any threatening statement or that gives you reasonable cause to believe that you are in danger.

Working closely with clients and their families and friends, often under difficult circumstances and sometimes in isolated locations, can put you at risk of violence. Violence and aggressive behavior is not part of your job.

Preventing violence in the workplace

• Read the care plan and recognize signs in the client’s

behaviour to help you to decide how to respond safely

• If your client (or family care provider) has a known history of

violence you should be aware of:

• What happened
• What may have impacted the situation
• Before and during providing care, you should always conduct

an information assessment to make sure it is safe to start or

continue

• If you identify a risk that can not be lessened you must:
• Stop providing care
• Leave the client’s home and move to a safe location
• Report to your supervisor to develop a plan A eliminate or

mitigate the risk

Are you prepared

I have followed my organization’s check-in procedure

I have my mobile phone on me to call for help if needed

I have read my client’s care plan

I am aware of how to detect and address early signs of escalating

I have a clear exit path, so I can leave quickly if I need to

I know that I do not have to tolerate bullying, harassment or violence

I know I can leave if I feel threatened

I know to contact my supervisor immediately if it is unsafe for me to proceed

Unrestrained animals, either on approach to a home or inside the home, have the potential to create an unsafe work environment.

Threat of injury from an animal is not part of your job. Animals may be territorial and perceive you to be a threat to person or property. When animals perceive a threat they typically:

• Move or shy away (a flight response)
• Show signs of heightened interest or concern (pricked ears, raised hackles, showing of teeth, growling/snarling)
• Strike out – unprovoked (fight response)

Are you prepared?

• I have reviewed the care plan for any information pertaining to pets in the home, or near the client
• I have checked my surroundings for the presence of unrestrained animals that may pose a threat to my safety
• I know that if unsure I have the right to request the animal be restrained or removed from the immediate area
• I know I have the right to refuse to provide care if I perceive a risk to my personal safety
• I know to contact my supervisor immediately if I feel it’s unsafe to proceed

Slips, trips and falls are the second most common injury for home and community health workers. There may be uneven or slippery surfaces outside, and as you enter a client’s home. Weather and outside environment, as well as clutter inside the home may result in tripping hazards.

Preventing slips and falls

• Plan ahead and avoid rushing
• Focus while walking ahead. Looking at your phone or reading paperwork can cause you to trip
• Wear footwear that has a soft rubber sole, allowing for good traction
• Use walkways that are well lit and have been cleared and salted, as shortcuts over snow piles can lead to a fall
• Don’t carry too much, arms and hands can be used for balance and support in the case of a fall
• Use handrails when climbing stairs
• If you find that it is unsafe to enter the home, don’t go in and report unsafe conditions to your supervisor

Are you prepared?

• I am wearing appropriate footwear
• I have checked to ensure there is good lighting outside and inside the home
• I have checked walkways and stairs to ensure that they are
• in good repair and clear of debris
• I will keep my work area tidy to eliminate clip and trip hazards
• I will avoid multi-tasking and holding large objects, so that I can see where I am going
• I will report unsafe conditions if I see them
• I know what to do if I am injured

Exposure to hazardous drugs and infectious diseases pose a health risk. Hazardous drugs include antineoplastics and cytotoxic drugs, certain hormone therapies, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanyl.

Infectious diseases may be airborne, bloodborne contact or zoonotic, and exposure may be either direct or indirect.

Are you prepared?

• My supervisor has provided me with instruction and training on the safe handling, care and disposal protocols specific to the risk of exposure
• I have reviewed the client’s care plan to determine if there is a potential risk of exposure to a hazardous drug or infectious disease
• I have reviewed the safe handling, care and disposal protocols specific to the client, prior to entering the home
• My supervisor has provided me with an adequate supply of appropriate personal protective equipment
• I know to practice safe hand-washing techniques before and after care
• I will notify my supervisor immediately if I have an unprotected exposure
• I know to contact my supervisor immediately if it is unsafe for me to proceed

The air quality in a client’s home plays an important role in your health. Air quality can be affected by gases, smoke, mold, bacteria, temperature and humidity. In some cases, poor air quality may lead to allergic reactions or irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

Preventing exposure to toxins in the home

• Weather permitting, ask the client to leave windows open 30-60 minutes prior to your visit to increase ventilation in the home
• Ask your client to not smoke within 60 minutes prior to your visit, and report to your supervisor if necessary
• Ensure that any water leaks within the home are reported to your supervisor

Are you prepared?

• I have ensured that the client has stopped smoking inside the house 60 minutes prior to my arrival
• I know where to open windows to ensure that the home is properly ventilated
• I am aware that I should visually inspect my client’s home and report any water damage or leaks to my supervisor
• I will report to my supervisor if the indoor air quality in my client’s home is unsafe
• I am aware that I can leave my client’s home if I feel that the air quality inside the home is unsafe
• I know to contact my supervisor immediately if I feel it is unsafe for me to proceed

Public transportation refers to buses, trains, ferries, and taxi services.

Are you prepared?

• I know my route and the stop(s) I will need
• I know the route to my client’s home
• I know the transit schedule and have scheduled my work to minimize time waiting for public transportation
• I have the correct transit passes and/or necessary change for transit fares
• I know to watch my surroundings and to stay alert. Sleeping, reading and being on my mobile phone is a distraction
• I am able to keep my personal possessions close to me at all times
• I know to use the front exit of the bus when it is dark, or in an unfamiliar neighbourhood
• After dark, I know to wait for, and get off at, well lit bus stops
• I know to contact my supervisor immediately if I feel it is unsafe for me to proceed

General Vehicle Road Safety

Be prepared for the unexpected and make sure you are prepared with the following:

• Spare tire that is inflated to the tire’s rating or specifications
• Tire iron that fits the vehicle’s wheel nuts
• Car jack that is appropriate for your vehicle
• Waterproof mat for kneeling on should you have to change a tire
• Portable tire pump that works off your car’s power outlet/cigarette lighter
• Reflective emergency road sign/triangle

Winter Road Safety

Give your vehicle a winter check up and make sure you are prepared with the following:

• Four matched winter tires in good condition with at least 3.5 mm of tread.
• Between October 1 and March 31, most BC highways require passenger vehicles to have 3-peaked mountain and snowflake or Mud and Snow (M+S) tires.
• Ice scraper and brush for snow removal, extra windshield de-icer fluid
• Jumper cables, flashlight, first aid kid, road flashers/flares, folding shovel
• Energy bars, water, blanket, gloves, hand/foot warmers
• Phone charger (hand cranking charger is best)

General Vehicle Maintenance

To reduce the risk of roadside breakdowns, keep your vehicle well maintained:

• Check your oil level regularly and have your oil changed at the designated intervals
• Change your wiper blades in spring and fall
• Clean your wiper blades if they become streaky between changes
• Keep your gas tank at least quarter full
• Check the fluid levels in your vehicle regularly, including the windshield, brake and transmission fluid