SUPPORT WORKERS HEALTH AND SAFETY HANDBOOK
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this handbook is to provide Support Workers with general safety rules for supporting people with disabilities in their home. This handbook will not cover all possible safety aspects of the work you may encounter, so it is important that this handbook is used in addition to any training that you may receive from Renaissance 2001 Ltd. ACCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE! Supporting people with disabilities is an industry with a wide potential for accidents, whether they are back strains from lifting people, or risks from working alone. It is up to everyone, including yourself, to make sure that the work site is as safe as it possibly can be for employees, clients and other people involved in home health care. TWO IMPORTANT RULES 1. Prior to commencing work at a home care venue, complete the Hazard Identification and Emergency Form with your Team Leader. This handbook cannot cover all possible hazards that you could be exposed to, so the Hazard Identification Form will help you figure out how to handle specific hazardous situations that you might come across 2. Make sure that you read this handbook thoroughly prior to commencing work, and keep this book and the Hazard Identification Form nearby in case you need to refer to something. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS Do not consume alcohol or drugs during, or prior to starting work with your client. The safety and welfare of your client is your responsibility. Tell your employer as soon as possible if you are sick or taking prescription medication from a doctor that may impair or affect your performance. They will need to make alternative arrangements to cover for you. 2
ANIMALS Where hygiene is critical where care for your client is concerned, or where giving medical attention, make sure that the immediate area is clean and free from animal hair/fur. If the client has a dog, familiarize yourself with the dog with the assistance of the owner prior to commencing work. If this fails, ensure that the owner keeps the dog isolated from you. Some information on how to handle dogs is enclosed. PREVENTING SPREAD OF INFECTION Support workers and their clients can be at risk of acquiring infection. Infection can pass from client to worker, or from worker to client, or can be from other sources such as: Other people or visitors to the home Animals (pets, vermin) Environmental sources such as inadequately prepared or stored food, contaminated water, soil or other substance. Although anyone may be exposed to infection from a variety of sources, a number of factors exist that may increase a workers risk of infection. 1.Nature of Work Employees at greater risk of infection include: Those exposed to bodily fluids including blood, urine, faeces, saliva Those performing invasive procedures such as injections Those caring for clients whose behaviour can be unpredictable or aggressive 2.Worker's Condition Women who are pregnant face a number of additional risks from infection Workers who themselves are infectious may pass this on to their clients Workers who engage in high health risk behaviour may carry and pass on infection Workers who are unwell or tired may be at increased risk of infection 3.Environmental Factors These include but are not limited to: 3
General level of cleanliness and hygiene in the client's home Presence of animals or vermin Hand washing facilities Space constraints and lighting when performing invasive procedures How to prevent spread of infection: In some situations the worker should be informed of the infection status of their clients, For example : If caring for an infected wound Following exposure to infected material, blood or bodily fluids Following exposure to infected material, blood or bodily fluids Assess the environment, looking at layout, washing facilities, furniture and fittings with consideration of factors affecting risk of exposure to infection. Identify potential sources of infection and determine protective clothing or equipment currently available, such as gloves, disposable aprons or masks. If administering medication by needle, ensure there is adequate lighting, plenty of room to perform the procedure and facilities for the safe disposal of needles e.g. a sharps bin. Food Safety: If preparing food for clients, wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food. Do not mix raw foods with cooked foods. Wash chopping boards and utensils thoroughly before using them again. Ensure that meat dishes, especially chicken and pork are cooked thoroughly to prevent salmonellosis. Do not place raw meat above cooked meat in refrigerators. Ensure hot cooked food is sufficiently cooled and covered if placed in the refrigerator. 4
LIFTING AND MANUAL HANDLING The most common types of injuries from lifting people, heavy or awkward objects are back strains, sprains, hernias, spinal injuries and torn ligaments and muscles. There is also the risk of Occupational Overuse Syndrome from using muscle groups repetitively for long periods of time while doing the same activity. Before commencing any lifting, assess the situation first for possible hazards using the form attached to the Support Workers Hazard Identification & Emergency Procedures Form. SAFE CARRYING 1. Carry the load close to your body. 2. Keep your back straight. 3. Ensure your vision is not obscured when carrying the load. 4. Never allow the load to interfere with normal walking. If it does, it is too heavy. LIFTING AIDS Wherever possible, lifting aids should be used, but make sure this equipment is used only if you are trained in the safe use of the device. Assess the handling requirements of clients before you commence lifting. 5
6
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING Some jobs such as cleaning after clients could involve risk of infection in some form or another. Some cleaning chemicals may be very strong, and if inhaled or exposed to the skin, could cause injury. You may be required to wear protective clothing or equipment to overcome particular hazards that you may encounter in your job. Employers are required to provide the protective equipment necessary for the job. You, in turn, are required to use or wear the provided equipment when necessary. Some of the more common hazards and the equipment used to overcome them are: 1. Exposure to blood or infectious material: wear disposable gloves, and disposable aprons when administering medication or cleaning after a client. 2. Strong cleaning chemicals such as bleach, oven cleaner etc. Wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area if possible. If using disposable cleaning materials, dispose of them safely. Wash re-usable sheets and towels separately from ordinary clothing. SHIFT WORK AND FATIGUE Working in shifts or starting and finishing work at irregular times of the day, or working at nights can cause problems with fatigue in many people. Symptoms of fatigue range from muscle pain to difficulty in concentrating, or sleepiness. Most occupational fatigue symptoms result from disturbances of sleep and the circadian biological clock. Reports of fatigue are higher among shift workers than among day workers, and highest during night work. 7
Physical exertion is a source of fatigue. The fitness of the worker can depend a great deal on the amount of fatigue experienced for a given amount of work accomplished. Sleep disruption is another source of fatigue. Reducing sleep by even one hour per nights is enough to cause increased sleepiness, which becomes more severe with each additional night of restricted sleep. Reduced sleep is common during shift work, particularly shift work at night. Alertness decreases and reaches a low point around 3:00 to 5:OOam At that time, our ability to think and make decisions is impaired. Judgement and reaction times are slower. Mood is affected How to reduce fatigue: Before going to sleep - do something you find relaxing until you feel tried enough to sleep. Avoid caffeinated beverages for at least 4 hours before sleep. Do not drink alcohol before bedtime. DO NOT rely on sleeping pills. Sleeping environment - create a good sleeping environment by: eliminating daylight through dark shades, heavy curtains, eye mask; keep the room temperature cool; eliminating noise as much as possible. Try foam ear plugs, set the phone answer machine on, etc. Eating - establish a normal meal schedule regardless of what hours you work. Do not eat a meal high in protein or fat within several hours of bedtime. Try to avoid fatty, takeaway foods when working - bring a prepared meal with you. Exercise- exercise can make a big difference to your ability to cope with irregular working hours. 8
D O G S A F E T Y 9
10
FIRST AID Minor untreated injuries - cuts, abrasions, small twinges to the back etc often cause absences from work and reduction in income. In many cases it is not the initial injury that causes the absence, but the infection that follows because proper first aid treatment is not given. Always receive first aid treatment following an accident. Know where the first aid kit is, and let the employer know if stocks need to be refilled (if it is not your first aid kit) Keep wounds clean and covered when working with clients or using cleaning chemicals, handling animals, etc. EMERGENCIES Prior to commencing work, go through the emergency procedures with the employer (on the reverse side of the Hazard Identification Form). Ensure that working telephones are available and that you have practiced the evacuation route with your client. If the client's house has a fire extinguisher, familiarize yourself with its location and operation. If There Is A Fire : 1. ONLY if it is safe, should attempts be made to extinguish the fire. The first concern is for the safety of yourself and clients. 2. Dial 111 and ask for the Fire Service. Give the operator your name and street address. Stay on the line to answer questions ONLY if safe, but aim to get people out of the house as soon as possible. 3. Ensure that all occupants of the house have been evacuated from the house and are waiting at the assembly point 11
Natural Disasters For floods, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, etc: follow the guidelines found in the back cover of the Yellow Pages. Medical Emergencies For medical emergencies: 1. Keep the person concerned comfortable 2. Dial 111 and ask for an ambulance. Give the operator details of address, phone number etc 3. If the house is difficult to find, and the person concerned is in a stable condition, wait by the roadside in order to flag the ambulance down. For any emergency If the neighbors are well-known to your client, introduce yourself to the neighbors. They may be able to assist in an emergency. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY Make sure that your motor vehicle is in a drivable condition. It must have a current warrant of fitness and registration. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit in your motor vehicle. You must have a full and valid driver's license for the motor vehicle you operate. You may be required to drive past 10pm at night or take passengers. A mobile phone is very handy for emergencies, but do not drive and operate a mobile phone at the same time. Pull over to the side of the road to make or receive calls. Remember the purpose of this handbook is to provide Support Workers with general safety rules for supporting people with disabilities in their home. This handbook cannot cover all possible safety aspects of the work you may encounter, so it is important that you use commonsense and discretion and ensure safety comes first at all times. 12
NOTES Support Workers Health and Safety Booklet Renaissance 2001 Ltd PO Box 63 001 Manukau City 2241 Phone 09 250 4346. FAX 09 278 0075 13