Direct Care Worker Safety in the Home
Protects direct care workers who work alone in consumers’ homes: screening homes for hazards, check-in and travel safety, pets, smoking, weapons, pests and unsafe conditions, harassment and violence, the worker’s right to leave an unsafe situation, and reporting and recording work injuries, including the OSHA reports required within 8 or 24 hours.
About this policy
- Policy number
- PA-HC-SAF-03
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 28 Pa. Code §611.57(a)(1)
- Library
- Pennsylvania home care · 49 policies
- Category
- Service delivery
- Sections
- 18
In short
- Your safety comes first. If you feel unsafe, leave and call the office. You will not be disciplined for doing so in good faith.
- If you are in danger or hurt, get to safety and call 911.
- Keep your phone charged, clock in and out on time, and park in a well-lit place.
- Report threats, harassment, bites, and any work injury to your supervisor the same day, using the worker safety form.
- Ask the office about pets, smoking, or weapons in a home before your first visit.
What's inside
18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (28 Pa. Code §611.57(a)(1))
- 5. Before the First Visit
- 6. Check-In and Travel
- 7. Common Hazards in the Home
- 8. Harassment, Threats, and Violence
- 9. Work Injuries
- 10. Reporting Concerns without Retaliation
- 11. Responsibilities
- 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 13. Staff Training
- 14. References
- 15. Related Policies and Forms
- 16. Approval
- 17. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- What does a direct care worker do if they feel unsafe in a consumer’s home?
- How do you know where your workers are and that they are safe during visits?
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