Safety Manual for Homecare Worders and Personal Support ...

[Pages:58]Care Provider Safety Manual

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The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) (DHS) will not discriminate against anyone. This means ODHS will help all who qualify. ODHS will not deny help to anyone based on age, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, or disability. You can file a complaint if you think ODHS singled you out because of any of these things.

If you have questions or need this document in a different format, please contact the Oregon Home Care Commission or your local ODHS office.

Si tiene preguntas que hacer o necesita este documento en un formato diferente, por favor, comun?quese con Oregon Home Care Commission o su oficina local de ODHS.

, , (Oregon Home Care Commission) ODHS.

Nu bn c? thc mc hoc cn t?i liu n?y nh dng kh?c, vui l?ng li?n h vi y ban Chm s?c Gia ?nh Oregon hoc vn ph?ng ODHS a phng ca bn.

Haddii aad su'aal qabtid ama aad rabto dukumantigan oo qaab kale ah, fadlan la xiriir Xafiiska Daryeelka Guriga ee Oegon ama xafiiska ODHS ee deegaankaaga ku yaala.

, ( )

May 2022

Recent events over the last two years have made it clear: Oregonians need you! You have been on the front lines providing key services for thousands of older adults, people experiencing disabilities, persons living with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and individuals with a disabling behavioral health condition. The services you provide are the reason these Oregonians can stay in their homes, be part of their communities, and live the richest life possible. I continue to be inspired by the work you do and how you touch the lives of so many. Just as your work is essential, your safety and the safety of consumer-employers is essential. The Oregon Homecare Commission (OHCC) is committed to the health and safety of both workers and consumer-employers. This Safety Manual, along with courses offered by the OHCC, provides tools so you can do your job as safely as possible. We ask that you review this Safety Manual and keep a copy for your future reference. OHCC courses, such as Preventing Disease Transmission and Protecting Against Sprains and Strains, build on many of the skills and concepts in this manual. We encourage you to attend these courses, free of charge, as a means to continue your professional development and safety focus. Your commitment to safety ensures you can continue to provide the services we know are key and safeguards the health, safety and wellness of the consumer-employer(s) you serve. Again, thank you for providing such vital services. The services you provide allow those whom you serve to continue to live as independently as possible in their homes, which is so important to so many.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Miller

Cheryl Miller Executive Director, Oregon Home Care Commission

550 Capitol St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301 / 503-378-2733 / DHS/spd/adv/hcc

Contents:

Care Provider Safety Manual

Introduction .................................................................................. 6

Overview....................................................................................................... 6 Safety guidelines...........................................................................................6 Health and safety training...........................................................................7 Employer Resource Connection................................................................8 The OHCC Registry....................................................................................8 Drug-free workplace....................................................................................8 Roles............................................................................................................. 10 Reporting Abuse.........................................................................................12 Communicating safety concerns..............................................................13 Workers' compensation claims assistance...............................................15 Emergencies ................................................................................ 17

Emergency action plan.............................................................................. 17 Earthquakes.................................................................................................21 Hazards in and outside the home ............................................... 24

Hazard assessment......................................................................................24 Housekeeping..............................................................................................25 Step stool and utility ladder safety...........................................................25 Walking surfaces.........................................................................................26 Proper lighting............................................................................................26 Oxygen safety..............................................................................................26 Fire safety.....................................................................................................28 Poison safety................................................................................................28 Electrical safety...........................................................................................30 Firearms safety............................................................................................30 Animal safety..............................................................................................30 Driver safety................................................................................................32 Challenging behaviors...............................................................................33

Harassment-free workplace.......................................................................34 Protecting your body at work ......................................................37

Self-care........................................................................................................37 Preventing strains and sprains..................................................................38 Risk factors..................................................................................................40 Transfers.......................................................................................................42 Durable medical equipment and assistive devices.................................43 Body mechanics for workers.....................................................................44 Protecting against disease transmission..................................... 46 Infectious disease........................................................................................46 Protecting yourself from disease..............................................................49 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)....................................................50 Conclusion ...................................................................................57

Introduction

Overview

This safety manual will help you stay safe and avoid injury and illness at work. It will give you tools to take control of your safety and health. Take some time to go through this manual and use it as a reference. By following these suggestions, you can reduce your risk of accidents and illness.

Safety guidelines

You focus on your employer's safety and health in your job. However, your safety is also important. If you get hurt, you may not be able to do your job, which may put your employer's health and safety at risk. For your employer to be safe, you need to be safe. Below is a list of general guidelines to help keep you safe. More information about each of these topics is found throughout this manual.

? Practice safety ? at all times. ? Think safety for both you and your employer. ? Take the time to do it right. ? Keep quick access to a phone to call 911. ? Use gloves and personal protective equipment when handling chemical, blood or body

fluids/substances. ? Follow the task list or service agreement and any other instructions carefully. ? Lift safely. ? Don't use broken equipment. ? Know your emergency evacuation escape routes and back-up plans in case of emergency. ? Ask for help if there is a hazard you can't resolve with your employer or employer

representative and know when and how to contact the case management entity. ? Follow the drug-free workplace policy.

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Care Provider Safety Manual

Health and safety training

The Oregon Home Care Commission offers the following health and safety training classes: ? Taking Responsibility in Personal Safety ? Preventing Disease Transmission ? Protecting Against Sprains and Strains ? Communities of Practice and Safety Support (COMPASS) ? Medication Safety ? Driver's Safety

These are just a few of the many types of training classes offered by the Oregon Home Care Commission. To view a listing of our training classes, see our newsletter at DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/HCC/PSW-HCW/Pages/Worker-News.aspx.

To register for a training class or to sign up for the training newsletter, call 877-867-0077, Option 3, or 503-373-0929 in Salem or send an email to Training.

OHCC@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Care Provider Safety Manual

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Employer Resource Connection

The Oregon Home Care Commission offers a special program with the sole focus of helping consumers be successful as employers of homecare workers (HCWs), personal support workers (PSWs), or personal care attendants (PCAs). Most people do not have experience being an employer. If your employer participates, they will receive tools, resources and support to be the best employer they can be. ERC provides education and support to consumers on how to:

? Recruit, hire and manage a HCW, PSW, or PCA

? Communicate and resolve conflicts

? Create a backup and safety plan

? Understand the tasks the HCW, PSW, or PCA can provide, and

? Know their rights and responsibilities as a consumer who employs HCWs, PSWs, or PCAs.

Be sure to tell your employer about the ERC. You can contact the ERC via phone or email. The phone number is: 877-867-0077 (select Option 6), and the email address is OHCC.ERC@ odhsoha..

The OHCC Registry

The Oregon Home Care Commission's Registry is available throughout the state. As a worker, you will be able to take control of your career by managing your availability, where you want to work and the services you're willing to provide. You will be responsible for updating your information in the Registry every 30 days or more often if needed. To visit the Registry, go to or-. Contact us if you have questions (877-867-0077, Option 3).

Drug-free workplace

The Oregon Home Care Commission is committed to protecting the safety, health and well-being of consumers of in-home services and workers through establishing a drug-free workplace.

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Care Provider Safety Manual

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