Safety Training 

PURPOSE  

To minimize risk to staff when traveling to and from the job site, while working in the client’s home or when working in the office. 

 

POLICY 

California Home Care Aides is committed to ensuring the welfare of its employees by educating them on how to recognize personal safety hazards and on what protective actions to take to reduce risk, prevent injury and promote safety.  

 

PROCEDURES 

• When working in a client’s home, employees shall: 

• not go into homes or, if already there, should leave the premises immediately, where it appears that: 

• their safety may be at risk  (e.g. weapons, drugs, alcohol, guard dogs); 

• people are inebriated;  

• people are abusive; 

• sexual comments/gestures are made; 

• verbal or gestured threats are made; 

• there is suspected illegal activity; and/or, 

• someone is dressed inappropriately.  E.g. An individual is not wearing clothing, or is deliberately wearing only underwear, unless there is a valid reason such as that person has a dementia or has dressing/undressing difficulties. 

• contact the local law enforcement, if immediate assistance is required, e.g. an assault or illegal activity is occurring; 

• not challenge clients with issues.  Instead, collaborate with them, in a respectful and non judgmental manner, to facilitate a resolution. 

• immediately advise their Supervisor of any potential risk situations, even if they are only suspected risks.  

• handle abusive clients as follows: 

• leave the premises as soon as possible;  

• avoid antagonizing them; 

• remain calm and speak in a quiet manner; and, 

• advise clients of their working schedule (so clients are aware that company/agency employees will be expecting them to be at a certain place at a certain time). 

• leave the home immediately, if they feel threatened; then: 

• telephone the Supervisor, from a safe location;  

• notify proper authorities, as necessary;  and, 

• inform other individuals who provide care to the client.  

• When employees are involved in a risk situation, the Supervisor shall: 

• investigate all potential risk situations reported by employees; 

• initiate an incident report; 

• contact local law authorities, if and when indicated; 

• ensure details of the risk incident are obtained and documented including: 

• what the incident was; 

• who was involved e.g. employee, client family/other; 

• where it occurred; 

• when it occurred; 

• what actions were taken and by whom; and, 

• follow-up actions performed and/or follow-up actions scheduled; 

• cease service to the client temporarily (for no more than 24 hours) while a review team consisting of the employee involved, Supervisor and other essential individuals (e.g. Social Worker) meet to evaluate staff safety and ongoing service;   

• document the outcome of the meeting with copies being placed in the client’s file and being given to the Manager/Administrator;  

• determine how similar risks can be minimized/eliminated; and, 

• if required, ensure employee involved in the risk situation receives medically recommended treatment and/or counseling 

• Before going into a new client’s home, employees shall: 

• scout out the area where the home is located;  

• travel the safest route and know the locations of safe places such as hospitals and local law enforcements; 

• carry a cell phone or determine the locations of public pay phones.  (if the pay phone is in a potentially dangerous area, do not use it.) 

• carry a list emergency numbers (e.g.. police detachment, paramedics, fire station, search and rescue); and, 

• carry transportation schedules and numbers of taxi companies. 

• When traveling to the job site/client’s home, employees shall:  

• dress safely (e.g. unrestrictive clothing, non skid shoes, limited jewelry); 

• stand in the designated waiting area of a subway; 

• ensure a taxi driver’s picture and identification are displayed in the cab; 

• not park in underground parking lots or in out-of-the-way areas; 

• keep car doors locked and windows rolled up; 

• not leave items lying around in the car.  (e.g. medications, purse); 

• avoid any parked cars, which have people sitting in them;  

• be alert for anyone following them; 

• stick to well traveled and lit streets; and, 

• walk quickly, and try to avoid walking through crowds. 

• When leaving the jobsite/client’s home, employees shall:  

• place their vehicle keys in their hands before leaving the home; 

• if necessary, have someone walk them to their vehicle; 

• check the inside and outside of the vehicle before getting in; 

• lock the car doors as soon as they get in; 

• watch for vehicles following them; 

• not use bank machines in the evening or during the night; 

• head for a police/fire/gas station if they think they are being followed; 

• not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers; 

• in regards to attempted robbery, not resist – instead, shout “fire”; 

• in regards to attempted assault near their vehicle, roll under the vehicle; and, 

• in regards to attempted placement into another vehicle, fight back (e.g. holler and kick). 

• When working in a client’s home, employees shall: 

• make a note of where the telephone and exit are located; 

• be alert for changes in the behavior of people in the home, as they could be indicative of impending danger; and, 

• not make promises they are not able to keep. 

• When a client lives in a condominium apartment or other multi-residence complex, employees shall: 

• be cautious in elevators (e.g. stand close to the control panel with their backs against the wall; and get out immediately, if feeling uneasy.)  

• walk down the middle of the hallway & avoid alcoves; and, 

• keep count of floors when using stairways. 

• When making a home visit, where there is possibility of being at risk, employees shall: 

• go in pairs; 

• ask the local law enforcement/security to accompany them; 

• try to visit when other people are in the home; 

• have the client go first, when moving around the house; 

• avoid the kitchen and other rooms where potential items such as knives/weapons are kept, if somebody in the home appears to be dangerous or unbalanced; and/or, 

• be on guard at all times. 

• When working in the office alone or during non-office hours, employees shall: 

• notify security (if building has security); 

• ensure doors are locked; 

• be alert for possible dangers; 

• know where closest phones and exits are;  

• listen to their “gut” feelings and use good judgment; and, 

• Where possible, provide the service in a safer environment (e.g. provide bath in a facility). 

•  

• GUIDELINES 

• Supervisor shall: 

•  ensure that training is provided to employees during orientation and then annually; and that it includes: 

• a review of the employer’s safety policies; 

• risk factors for assault; 

• techniques for dealing with hostile clients/families; 

• techniques for calming irate individuals; 

• hazard control strategies; and, 

• reporting policies. 

• assess a client’s potential for violence when he/she is referred through observation, consultation with others and/or record review. 

• advise employees of client risk levels for violence.  

• In-home workers shall: 

• check in regularly with the office; 

• take their cell phones to work; 

• request that pets be restrained before they enter the home; 

• be alert for weapons in the home; 

• be aware of high crime areas. 

• Manager/Administrator shall: 

• devote resources for the promotion of staff safety; 

•  be accountable for staff safety; 

• establish a Health and Safety Committee; and, 

•  

• REFERENCES 

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)