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Hazards and identifying Hazards in the home training session

In this session we will cover:

  • What are hazard?
  • Being S.A.F.E
  • Home & Safety Assessments
  • Hazard response flow chart

The session will take around 20 minutes to complete. At the end, you will be required to complete a short, comprehensive quiz.

What are hazards?

Hazards are situations or things that have the potential to harm a person.

Hazards could be many things like noise, chemicals, electricity or cords, gas or fire, slippery surfaces, worn equipment, working at heights, a repetitive job, animals/pets or inappropriate behaviour that could affect a client or worker’s safety and health.

At work we have health and safety procedures and other policies which help to create a safe workplace for workers and clients.

We all have responsibilities under these policies including reporting hazards when we see them.

Being S.A.F.E

S.A.F.E is a great thing to remember, and being S.A.F.E promotes a safe work environment. This stands for:

  • Spot the hazard
  • Assess the risk
  • Fix the problem
  • Evaluate results.

  • Reflection: Are there other Hazards or risks not listed above that you can think of?

    • Harm
    • Abuse
    • Bullying
    • Harassment
    • Significant issues like breaches of privacy or duty of care
    • Complaints
    • Media reports
    • Environment

Home and Safety assessment

Any person Anglicare supports in the community and in their own home must have a Home and Safety assessment.

This assessment is a visual inspection. It is done by the Service Manager or a trained Support worker.

The reason we do this is to look for any issues that might affect the safety and wellbeing of the client or worker. It will include making a home emergency plan.

  • What do we look for when doing an assessment?

    • Space to provide support
    • Enough light and heating/cooling
    • Rooms are clean and maintained
    • Floors, are they slippery or are there tripping hazards e.g. cords or rugs?
    • Is there enough equipment and the right type of equipment for support?
    • Is the equipment safe to use for the client and worker?
    • Is there water with good pressure and do sinks, showers and toilets work
    • Where are the smoke detectors?
    • Do people smoke inside?
    • We look for hazardous materials and if they are safely stored
    • Could anything cause a fire?
    • Where are the main switches to shut off power/water/gas
    • Electrical items are safe
    • Are there good exists, and are these clear?
    • Is there any mould or do you think there are mice or rats?
    • Is there enough cleaning equipment?
    • Is the environment safe- is there a risk from drugs/alcohol, family and community and location for bush fire or flood
    • Is the property isolated with limited escape or phone access
    • And are there pets they may be a risk e.g. dogs

    We take a look at the beginning of providing services but we must not forget to look for changes and report these.

    You can download a copy of the Home Environmental Safety Checklist here.

Hazards and Risks for Support Workers

As you watch this video please pause after each room or outdoor area and write down the hazards you could see.

  • From your list of hazards, what are the risks/harms these hazards could cause?

  • Reflection: Thinking about a client you support what hazards can you now identify in their home?

  • Take a look at our Hazard response flow chart.

Hazards & Identifying Hazards Training Quiz

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