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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - Home Care
The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the health care industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Make Your Home Safer for Care Workers (PH94) 
This brochure is for agencies that provide care in people's homes, to give to their clients before the first visit by a care worker. The brochure outlines what the clients need to do to make their home safe for their care workers. The back panel of the brochure has space for agencies to stamp their contact information.
Source: WorkSafeBC 
* PDF (926 KB)
* Available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC store.
Home and Community Health Worker Handbook (BK104)
This handbook is written for workers in the field of home and community health care. This handbook was written to help you:
- Identify the types of activities that put you at risk of injury and illness.
- Prevent injuries and illnesses.
- Know what to do if you are hurt or ill.
- Know your workplace rights and responsibilities.
- Know where to find more information.
, and OSHAH (Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC)* PDF (747 KB)
* Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.
Home and Community Care in B.C.
In 2005, over 1,490 home and community care workers lost time from work as the result of workplace injury. Open the Home and Community Care Backgrounder to find out more information.Source: WorkSafeBC
* Backgrounder PDF (58 KB)
* Resource List PDF (432 KB)
Transfer Assist Devices for the Safer Handling of Patients BK103
Health care professionals can use this guide as a resource for evaluating and selecting appropriate transfer assist devices for use in their care environment.
Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (368 KB)
* Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.
Updated: October 2006
Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps and Medical Supplies in Home Health Settings
"Do you provide health care or housekeeping services for someone at home? If so, you may have to dispose of sharp objects, soiled dressings or supplies that may be contaminated with infectious waste. The information in this fact sheet will help you protect yourself, family members, other workers as well as the environment from these hazards." (Dated March 2003)Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
* PDF (65 KB)
Health and Safety in the Home Care Environment
"Information on the following topics for employers and workers in home care: legislative requirements, personal safety, home hazard assessment, communicable disease prevention, musculoskeletal injury prevention, motor vehicle safety, wellness promotion, and emergency preparedness procedures." (Dated January 2003)Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
* PDF (571 KB)
Tips for Guarding Your Personal Safety on Home Visits
"Many of us visit clients in their homes. While most visits are routine, non-threatening experiences, there is always a possibility that a confrontation may arise during a visit. Information contained in this fact sheet will help you if trouble arises." (Dated March 2003)Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
* PDF (63 KB)
Protecting Workers Who Work Alone
"Health care workers in community and home services face special risks when working alone in patients' homes. Even in many health care facilities, staff working some shifts may find themselves on their own. This fact sheet focuses on some of the ways employers can protect these workers." (Dated March 2003)Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
* PDF (67 KB)
Health and Safety Guidelines for Home-Based Health Care Services
"These guidelines provide information on managing hazards in home-based health care settings." (Dated May 2002)Source: New Zealand Home Health Association (NZHHA) and the Occupational
Safety and Health Service (OSH) of the Department of Labour.
* PDF (345 KB)
Great Lakes Center Health & Safety Fact Pack
A Fact Pact for outreach, community and home care workers.Source: University of Illinois at Chicago
* HTML
B.C. Occupational Health & Safety Regulation
A link to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations for Home Care.Source: WorkSafeBC
* OHS Regulation
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