When you start to receive care at home you need to think about your home as a workplace. You are responsible for making sure that your home is a safe working environment. Your home as a workplace needs to be safe for those who provide you with help.
Appropriate equipment
Appropriate equipment must be in place to allow Care Workers to provide care safely. For example, standing aids or hoists to help you to stand up – or perhaps a bed that rises up and down. If you need this equipment your Occupational Therapist will help to organise it. The equipment that is required for care must be serviced and in good order. Over time you may find that the equipment you need and how it is used will change and therefore needs to be regularly reviewed.
Emergency exit
There must always be a clear route in and out of your home for use in an emergency. It is important that the Care Workers who support you know how to get in and out not only from the front door but also the other routes that are available to use in an emergency.
Smoking
Your home as a workplace means that smoking is not allowed whilst Care Workers are present. You should also make sure that no one smokes for at least one hour before their visit. In addition, if anyone in your house does smoke you will need to make sure that the house is well ventilated before the arrival of your Care Worker.
Safe equipment
Care Workers should only be required to use domestic equipment that is safe to use. Any cleaning products that you would like to use need to be safe for the Care Workers. Electrical items such as toasters, vacuums, cleaning products, etc must be safe and in good working order.
Dogs
Dogs must be shut in a separate room prior to the Care Worker’s arrival and during the Care Workers’ visit. You should also consider arranging third party liability cover for you dog, such as that provided by the Dogs Trust.
Safety alarms
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed and regularly tested. Click here to visit the Gas Safety website.
If you have any questions about your home as a workplace, please do contact us.