Whether you're a care worker, healthcare professional, or considering a career in long-term care or home care, understanding workplace safety is essential. The physical demands of these roles are real—and the statistics back that up.

The reality: Care work comes with risks

Recent 2024 data from WorkSafeBC reveals concerning trends. Care workers experience injuries at significantly higher rates than workers in other sectors:

• Long-term care: Injury rates are approximately 4 times the B.C. average
• Home and community care: Injury rates are more than double the provincial average

The most common causes of injury include:

• Overexertion and strain
• Exposure to toxic substances - including communicable disease
• Slips and trips
• Workplace violence

Beyond the numbers: The real impact

Statistics like "82,535 workdays lost in long-term care" might sound abstract, but they represent real consequences:

For care workers: Chronic pain, longer recovery times, and the physical toll of returning to demanding work while healing.

For healthcare teams: Persistent understaffing, increased workload for remaining staff, and elevated burnout rates.

For residents or clients and their families: Reduced continuity of care and strained resources.

Emerging trends add new concerns. Younger home care workers are experiencing a notable increase in mental health claims, while older long-term care workers face injuries that take longer to heal.

There's hope: Prevention works

Despite these challenges, there's encouraging news: injury claims and associated costs are declining, demonstrating that targeted safety initiatives make a difference.

What you can do

For care workers: You don't have to accept injury as "part of the job." Access training on proper lifting techniques, understand your rights to a safe workplace, and use available safety equipment.

For healthcare administrators: Invest in comprehensive safety programs, ensure adequate staffing, and foster a culture where reporting hazards is encouraged.

For everyone: Education is the foundation of prevention.

Learn more

We've created clear, accessible infographics breaking down 2024 injury trends by sector. These resources identify specific risk areas and connect you to practical solutions—whether you're starting your first shift or leading a care team.

See the infographics below to understand the risks in your workplace and discover evidence-based strategies to protect yourself and your colleagues.

Your safety matters. Make it a priority from day one.