Hazards in Aged Care: Safeguarding the Elderly and Workers

Among the many critical environments, aged care homes are some institutions that account for some of the most complex challenges. Although we consider them homes, they are complex and unique workplaces that need special attention, especially when it comes to physical tasks. Manual handling aged care patients poses a lot of risks that range from minor issues such as muscle strains and discomfort to major injuries like fractures or chronic back pain. Therefore, if you are a residential care provider, you ought to be aware of the impacts of these hazards and the measures to take to ensure your safety and that of your patients.

Hazards in Aged Care

The risks in aged care put both the elderly and workers in danger, which is why it’s critical to understand and mitigate these risks to allow for a safe environment.

● Equipment-Related And Environmental Hazards

Falling or tripping over are quite common and can be caused by worn parts, uneven floor surfaces, or poor lighting. Poorly maintained stairs also increase the odds of falling, especially for older adults. Regular checks should be performed to ensure surfaces are evenly built and do not harbor tripping hazards.

In addition, there’s also a need to assess the quality, sustainability, and maintenance of the equipment to prevent injuries. Bedrails should be installed if necessary to prevent falls. There should also be individualized risk assessments for different people depending on their situation.

● Lifting and Handling Injuries

Workers often have to lift patients in aged care, which can result in neck and back injuries. Manual handling also includes physical stress when you lift, move, or handle equipment or patients. There should be proper training and risk assessment to reduce handling injuries. Manual handling is the most common cause of injury and encompasses about 58% of all the injuries that have happened in aged-care facilities.

● Fire Safety and Medication

Medical errors can be prevented by adhering to guidance policies, clear rules, and procedures. Fire safety calls for regular risk assessments, cleanings, and inspections to mitigate the risk of fire outbreaks.

4 Duties Imposed on Employers by the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011

This act exists to ensure the safety of their workers and requires employers to consider some guidelines. They apply to the Commonwealth and other states, including any organization with at least one worker. It also emphasizes the general duties of everyone present at work, including contractors, workers, and anyone else who occupies that workplace.

1. Provide a safe working environment and implement measures to minimize or eliminate risks.
2. Ensure everyone has the proper information, training, and instructions
3. Offer first aid and any other appropriate medical attention should there be any emergency
4. There are incidents labeled as ‘notifiable’ by the act and refer to illness or injury resulting in fatalities. When these happen, employers must immediately notify the relevant authorities.

6 Duties Imposed on Employees by the Act

• Adherence and compliance with the safety procedures and rules
• Reasonably consider their health and safety when at work, and this includes inquiring advice from the employer about risks to their safety or health
• Reporting injuries or unsafe work practices and illnesses promptly to the one in charge
• Report injuries, illnesses, or events to the health and safety representative
• Cooperation with the employer when it comes to implementing workplace safety programs
• Keeping clear of acts or omissions that risk their health and safety or that of the other workers

What Happens in Failure to Comply?

Employers and employees are recommended to stick to the orders made by the regulators. Aged-care homes, like any other organization, risk facing penalties if they don’t comply with the Act.

General Prevention Measures

Even though some hazards require certain specific measures to reduce or prevent them, there are common hazards that can be prevented in most nursing and aged care homes. Let’s look at some of the ways you can minimize these risks:

1. Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment

Regularly evaluate the work environment to identify hazards related to manual handling, equipment, and resident care. For example, you can evaluate staff posture during patient transfers to pinpoint areas where injuries could occur.

2. Develop and Implement Action Plans

Always have clear action plans to address the identified risks. This may include staff training, ergonomic adjustments, or the introduction of assistive equipment. One way of doing this is by providing staff with mechanical lifting aids to reduce the physical strain of moving patients.

3. Investigate Near Misses and Close Calls

If an accident is narrowly avoided, conduct a thorough investigation to understand the underlying causes. Treat these as warning signs and gather data on similar incidents. Also, ensure you review the protocols and speak with staff to uncover any recurring safety concerns or training gaps.

4. Implement Preventive Measures and Continuous Improvement

Based on the investigation’s findings, corrective measures should be introduced to prevent future incidents, and safety practices should be regularly reviewed and updated to keep up with evolving risks. A good way to do this is by implementing regular refresher courses on manual handling techniques and updating policies as new risks are identified.

Conclusion

Creating a safe environment in aged care homes requires constant vigilance and collaboration. This starts with regular risk assessments, proper training, and open communication to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers and how they should handle such incidents. Remember, the goal is to ensure that aged care homes not only offer comfort and support but also maintain the highest standards of safety for both the elderly and those who care for them.