The provision of health and social care services at clients’ homes has increased in recent years. Working at a client’s home poses challenges for the employer with regard to ensuring the employees’ occupational safety, since opportunities to influence the working environment are limited. Home care workers often work alone and face diverse occupational safety hazards while working at clients’ homes. This study discusses the management of occupational risks in the Finnish health and social care sector when employees work at clients’ homes. The objective is to generate measures and highlight important factors that affect safety. Eight teams from three municipalities, two private companies, and one nonprofit organization participated in the study. The data for the study was collected by means of a survey, interviews, and workshops. Themes that emerged as key factors in occupational safety were consolidated, as well as measures already in use in the participating organizations and measures that were developed during the study. One of the most important factors that emerged was the role of safety orientation. The results revealed a wide range of occupational safety measures and factors that require attention. Safety work is still fragmented and requires a more systematic approach.

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Measures for Managing the Safety of Health and Social Care Employees While Working at Clients’ Homes

  • Johanna Pulkkinen,
  • Maria Lindholm

摘要

The provision of health and social care services at clients’ homes has increased in recent years. Working at a client’s home poses challenges for the employer with regard to ensuring the employees’ occupational safety, since opportunities to influence the working environment are limited. Home care workers often work alone and face diverse occupational safety hazards while working at clients’ homes. This study discusses the management of occupational risks in the Finnish health and social care sector when employees work at clients’ homes. The objective is to generate measures and highlight important factors that affect safety. Eight teams from three municipalities, two private companies, and one nonprofit organization participated in the study. The data for the study was collected by means of a survey, interviews, and workshops. Themes that emerged as key factors in occupational safety were consolidated, as well as measures already in use in the participating organizations and measures that were developed during the study. One of the most important factors that emerged was the role of safety orientation. The results revealed a wide range of occupational safety measures and factors that require attention. Safety work is still fragmented and requires a more systematic approach.