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The Home Care and Community Health Support Pocketbook was created to bring awareness to several health and safety issues faced in home and community care.
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In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
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Leading from the Inside Out
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WorkSafeBC’s healthcare and social services planned inspection initiative focuses on high-risk activities in the workplace that lead to serious injuries and time-loss claims.
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WorkSafeBC is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to the Current Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual that guide wage rate decisions related to short-term and long-term disability compensation. Recommended amendments include: These changes may affect your claims costs. Click here to view the proposed changes and offer feedback to WorkSafeBC – The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, […]
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Hierarchy of Control

Safe Client Handling - Home and Community Care

Safe client handling involves an approach that considers the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or minimize the risk of injury in the workplace.

The first step is to identify and assess tasks that may result in injury from client handling. Be sure to involve staff and your JOHS Committee in this process.  Then, using the hierarchy of controls, implement control strategies starting from the most effective control measures. Applying multiple control strategies is the most effective.

Below, we outline general steps for reducing the risk of injury in home and community care These steps align with the hierarchy of controls for safe client handling that will safeguard the well-being of both staff and clients.

Elimination
Physically remove the hazard.
Substitution
Replace the hazard.
Engineering Controls
Isolate people from the hazard.
Administrative Controls
Change the way people work.
PPE
Protect people with personal protective equipment.

Elimination

The most effective control method where the hazard is completely removed from the workplace. 
Examples:
  • Encourage client self-mobilization as much as possible consistent with the client’s safety.
  • Consider dual purpose equipment to reduce the number of transfers (e.g. height adjustable commodes or hygiene chairs that fit over the toilet that can also be used to transport into the shower or bath).

Substitution

Involves replacing the hazard in the workplace with a safer alternative.
Examples:
  • Use mechanical lifts such as ceiling lifts if available, floor-based lifts, or sit to stand lifts instead of manual lifting or transferring techniques.
  • Use adjustable beds and chairs to minimize the need for bending or awkward posture.

Engineering Controls

Focuses on modifying the workplace or equipment to isolate workers from exposure to hazards.
Examples:
  • Use mechanical devices for client handling such as an overhead lift, floor lift, or sit-stand lift.
  • Use non mechanical aids for client handling such as a slider sheet, transfer board, bed ladder, or triangle trapeze ladder.
  • Install height adjustable beds in clients’ rooms.
  • Install lift-assist devices in client rooms and bathrooms, such as grab bars and railings.
  • Ensure there is enough space to use transfer equipment safely (remove obstacles).

Administrative Controls

Involves changing work practices, policies, or procedures to minimize exposure to hazards. 
Examples:
  • Develop and implement client safe handling policies and procedures.
  • Implement a no manual lift policy.
  • Provide education and training on safe client handling, proper use of assistive devices and proper lifting techniques.
  • Schedule regular training refreshers.
  • Implement a buddy system for client lifting tasks where possible.
  • Establish a peer leadership or mentorship program to build in-house expertise for safe handling of clients.
  • Establish a policy mandating the completion of a point of care risk assessment prior to each client lift and transfer.
  • Allow workers to take rest breaks as needed.
  • Establish a system for reporting and investigating incidents and near misses.
  • Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of safe client handling programs.

PPE

The least effective control method where protective equipment is provided to workers to protect against exposure to hazards that cannot be adequately controlled through other means.
Examples:
  • Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes with non-slip soles to maintain stability and traction when moving clients.
  • When lifting or transferring clients wear PPE as required (gloves, mask, gown, etc.) if there is the potential for exposure to body fluids and pathogens.
  • Ensure PPE is inspected and replaced if damaged.
  • Assign responsibility ensuring that PPE stock is available and suitable for use.
  • Refrain from wearing jewelry and loose accessories.
The above are examples of control measures that could be considered for each step in the hierarchy of controls, and act only as a guidance for possible controls measures that may be suitable for your organization. You are still required to minimize workplace hazards through an organization-specific risk assessment. The information in this document does not override the current provincial measures or guidance from your local health authority.

More Hierarchy of Controls

Reducing exposure to communicable disease involves an approach that considers the hierarchy of controls for infection prevention to eliminate or minimize exposure in the workplace. The first step to reducing exposure is to identify and assess tasks that may result in exposure to communicable disease. Be sure to involve staff and your JOHS Committee or […]
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Reducing exposure to communicable disease involves considering the hierarchy of controls for infection prevention to eliminate or minimize exposure in the workplace. The first step to reducing exposure in your care home is to identify and assess tasks that may result in exposure to communicable disease. Be sure to involve staff and your JOHS Committee […]
View Hierarchy of Control
Safe resident handling involves an approach that considers the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or minimize the risk of injury in the workplace. The first step is to identify and assess tasks that may result in injury from resident handling. Be sure to involve staff and your JOHS Committee in this process. Then, using the […]
View Hierarchy of Control
Safe client handling involves an approach that considers the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or minimize the risk of injury in the workplace. The first step is to identify and assess tasks that may result in injury from client handling. Be sure to involve staff and your JOHS Committee in this process.  Then, using the […]
View Hierarchy of Control
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Resources Related to 

Safe Handling Peer Coach Training Workshop
Haven Hill Retirement Centre - Penticton
July 4th @ 8:30am
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There are some essential things to remember to ensure proper care and assistance for residents.
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Safe Handling Peer Coach Training Workshop
Arrowsmith Lodge - Parksville,
April 29th @ 8:30am to 4:30pm
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Haro Park Centre is a campus of care located in the West End of Vancouver, offering independent housing, assisted living and residential care to senior citizens. Haro Park has a number of innovative programs and initiatives in place to promote a positive culture of safety.
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We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
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