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WORKER SAFETY

WORKER SAFETY. Why is worker safety important?. Environmental awareness. Office safety Outdoor safety and travel Making visits. The Path to Safety. • Collect information on intake • Check prior involvement • Apply knowledge and principles • Documentation • Follow-up.

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WORKER SAFETY

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  1. WORKER SAFETY

  2. Why is worker safety important?

  3. Environmental awareness • Office safety • Outdoor safety and travel • Making visits

  4. The Path to Safety • Collect information on intake • Check prior involvement • Apply knowledge and principles • Documentation • Follow-up

  5. Defusing techniques: • Most families are not a threat • Safety Plans and Action Plans promote awareness and help reduce fear so we can focus on helping families

  6. Defusing techniques: • If things escalate: • Kept it from escalating; try to stay calm and listen attentively; • Avoid sudden movements; • Avoid confrontation; • Maintain eye contact and personal space;

  7. Defusing techniques: • If things escalate: • Keep situation in your control; • Use calm tone of voice when speaking; • Do not argue with the person; • Discretely signal someone that you need help (try not to let angry client see this).

  8. Before You Leave the Office • Tell someone where you are going and when you will return • Obtain specific directions • Find out history • Know about any previous concerns • Try to conduct home visits in pairs, if possible • Bring your cell phone.

  9. Making visits • Parking and approaching residences • Entering residences • Residence awareness • Exiting residences

  10. Making Visits • Drive by the residence • Park down the street • Back your car in • Listen for anger voices • Knocking at door – Stand to the side • Introduce yourself • Note location of doors in home • Ask “Who else is in the house?” • Don’t overstay

  11. Making Visits • Always wait to be invited to sit • Be aware of all possible exits in the house • Ask to turn the TV off, as “I” have trouble hearing. • Keep a clear path to the door.

  12. Making Visits • Avoid positioning self so that you become trapped if needed to make a quick exit. • If situation escalates, LEAVE. • Always carry car keys in same place where they are readily accessible.

  13. Clothing • Shoes & Purses • Ties & Scarves • Religious or political symbols • Jewelry • Long hair

  14. Outdoor safety and travel • Driving conditions and weather • Knowledge of neighborhoods and safety • Car safety

  15. Driving Hazards • Keep fuel tank full • Leave valuables locked • Drive defensively

  16. Animal Hazards Check for prior involvement or info on intake • Watch for clues • Be vigilant • Do not pet pets

  17. DEALING WITH DOGS:

  18. Communicable Diseases andHealth Hazards • Know agency safety procedures • Hand washing is critical • Know when to protect yourself • Lice • Airborne & Fluid surface contamination

  19. Drug and Chemical Hazards • Know agency procedures • Recognizing hazards • Know when to get help or leave • Reporting issues

  20. Weapons • Assume that every home has a weapon • Assume that every client could access a weapon • Watch for signs of escalation • Know when to leave or request help. * Look for weapons when you are in someone else’s space • Guns are often in bedroom, knives in kitchen • Never reach for a weapon

  21. Office safety • Arrange your office so that no one sits between you and the door • Maintain physical distance • Ask yourself “Does my office have a calming effect?” • Pictures and personal items • Know your agency policy about visits

  22. Self Awareness • Boundaries / Limit setting behaviors • Communication • Feelings • Intuition • Problem solving skills • Conflict Management

  23. Boundaries • What is acceptable behavior? • How to set limits • Maintaining limits

  24. Boundaries • Boundaries set the tone for a professional relationship • Know your triggers • “What would a reasonable person do? • Do you bend your rules? • Talk with your supervisor about limits

  25. Check • Is it OK for a client to yell at me? • Is it OK for me to yell at a client? • Is it OK for a client to threaten me? • Is it OK for me to threaten a client? • Is it OK for a client to lie to me? • Is it OK for me to lie to a client?

  26. Communication • Awareness of ALL communication • Verbal • Nonverbal • Paraverbal

  27. Messengers of Intuition • Nagging feelings • Persistent thoughts • Sarcasm • Wonder • Anxiety • Curiosity • Hunches • Gut feelings • Doubt • Hesitation • Suspicion • Apprehension

  28. Client Awareness • Power • Phases of crisis • Appropriate interventions • Exceptions

  29. Power • Do not be defensive • Do not defend yourself or anyone else • Do not make the client show you that they must be respected • Avoid putting clients in positions that embarrass them. • Help them “Save face”

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