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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - Home Care


Chemical and Physical Hazards | Dementia | General Ergonomics | General Safety | Home Care | Infectious Disease | Patient Handling | Slips and Trips | Social Services | Violence

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.

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.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC, and OSHAH (Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC)
* PDF (747 KB)
* Also available in French (PDF 725 KB) new item
* Print copies are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store
* A free ebook version for iPad is available on iTunes

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 WorkSafeBC
* PDF (926 KB)

* Also available in the following languages:

* Print copies of the Punjabi version are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store.

Leave When It's Unsafe Video

video thumbnail Many healthcare workers work alone in the community. Learn what to do if you feel threatened or unsafe.
Source: WorkSafeBC
* Video (3 min 19 sec)

What's wrong with this picture?

These pictures have been staged to show a number of hazards. How many can you find in each picture?

Home Care Visits

Slips & Trips
  View full image
  Print PDF (3 MB)

Soft Tissue Injury
  View full image
  Print PDF (2 MB)

Violence - Choking
  View full image
  Print PDF (3 MB)

     
   
Violence - Hitting
  View full image
  Print PDF (3 MB)

   

Distracted Driving Video

With the exception of diseases caused by asbestos, occupational motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) are responsible for the largest number of work-related deaths in B.C. Driving while distracted significantly increases risk of injury and property damage, making this an important workplace issue for staff who drive their own vehicles for work.
Source: WorkSafeBC
* Video (4 min 41 sec)

Road Safety Resources

Occupational motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of worker deaths in British Columbia; on average, 24 workers are killed annually in work-related motor vehicle incidents (MVIs). Between 2006 and 2010, the cost of claims to WorkSafeBC from MVIs involving workers was almost $42 million.

MVIs are the 3rd leading cause of work-related accidents for Home & Community Care workers. To view or download road safety resources go to: www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/RoadSafety/Home.asp.

Injury Prevention and Disability Management for Home Care Providers

On November 21, 2008, the Health Employers' Association of BC and WorkSafeBC hosted an information session on strategies, tools and resources which home care employers, managers, and supervisors can use to improve worker safety and claims management. The theme of the session was employers helping employers build safer workplaces.

South Fraser Home Support's Safety Program and Disability Management, Presented by Barbara Valois and Marcia Klassen:

Home Support Redesign: Group Scheduling & Fixed Hour Positions - Impact on Safety (PDF 210 KB), Presented by Mona Groves, Vancouver Coastal Health (C

Looking for Leverage: Finding Tools to Enhance Injury Prevention Efforts in Community Care, Presented by Marjorie Brims, Interior Health Authority:

Delirium in the Older Person, Presented by Sandie Somers, St. Joseph's Hospital:



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