{"id":12302,"date":"2025-11-13T19:41:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T19:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/?p=12302"},"modified":"2025-11-13T19:42:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T19:42:01","slug":"safety-spotlight-working-safely-in-the-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/13\/safety-spotlight-working-safely-in-the-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Spotlight: Working Safely in the Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

We want to reminder all Personal Support Workers and Homemakers of the importance of recognizing risks\/hazards, and staying safe while you work alone in the community. The following tips have been prepared by PSW Maria C, co-chair of our Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC):<\/p>\n

Before Visiting a Client:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. *Check your schedule* Let a supervisor, colleague, or family member know your schedule, client information, and estimated visit times.<\/li>\n
  2. *Assess the situation:* Review client files, medical history, and potential risks before visiting.<\/li>\n
  3. *Check your vehicle:* Ensure your vehicle is in good working condition, and you have a full tank of gas, phone charger, and emergency kit.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    During the Visit:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. *Be aware of your surroundings:* Pay attention to the client’s environment, potential hazards, and exit routes.<\/li>\n
    2. *Keep your phone accessible:* Keep your phone charged, with important numbers saved, and consider using a phone with a panic button or safety app.<\/li>\n
    3. *Trust your instincts:* If you feel uncomfortable or sense something is wrong, trust your instincts and leave the situation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Safety Protocols:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. *Establish a panic protocol:* Know what to do in case of an emergency, such as calling 911 or a designated emergency number.<\/li>\n
      2. *Use a buddy system:* Consider having a colleague or family member accompany you on visits, especially in high-risk situations.<\/li>\n
      3. *Keep emergency contact information:* Carry a list of emergency contact numbers, such as your supervisor’s phone number and local emergency services.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        After the Visit:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. *Check out.*Inform your supervisor or designated contact person that you’ve completed the visit and are safe.<\/li>\n
        2. *Document any incidents:* Record any incidents, near-misses, or concerns, and report them to your supervisor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

           <\/p>\n

          By following these safety tips, you can reduce your risk and stay safe while working independently as a PSW in the community. Thank you for your attention to this messaging. For more information on Health & Safety, please visit: https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/your-health-safety\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          This is an important Health & Safety reminders for all employees about safety in the community. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":12050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12302","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-memos","8":"category-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12302"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12305,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12302\/revisions\/12305"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}