WORKER S

AFETY

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

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

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;

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).

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.

MAKING VISITS

1. Parking and approaching residences

2. Entering residences3. Residence awareness4. Exiting residences

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

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.

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.

CLOTHING

• Shoes & Purses

• Ties & Scarves

• Religious or political symbols

• Jewelry

• Long hair

OUTDOOR SAFETY AND TRAVEL

• Driving conditions and weather• Knowledge of neighborhoods and safety• Car safety

DRIVING HAZARDS

• Keep fuel tank full

• Leave valuables locked

• Drive defensively

ANIMAL HAZARDS

Check for prior involvement or info on intake

• Watch for clues• Be vigilant• Do not pet pets

DEALING WITH DOGS:

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ANDHEALTH HAZARDS

• Know agency safety procedures

• Hand washing is critical

• Know when to protect yourself

• Lice

• Airborne & Fluid surface contamination

DRUG AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS

• Know agency procedures

• Recognizing hazards

• Know when to get help or leave

• Reporting issues

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

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

SELF AWARENESS

• Boundaries / Limit setting behaviors

• Communication

• Feelings

• Intuition

• Problem solving skills

• Conflict Management

BOUNDARIES

• What is acceptable behavior?

• How to set limits

• Maintaining limits

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

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?

COMMUNICATION

• Awareness of ALL communication

• Verbal• Nonverbal• Paraverbal

MESSENGERS OF INTUITION

• Nagging feelings

• Persistent thoughts

• Sarcasm

• Wonder

• Anxiety

• Curiosity

• Hunches

• Gut feelings

• Doubt

• Hesitation

• Suspicion

• Apprehension

CLIENT AWARENESS

• Power

• Phases of crisis

• Appropriate interventions

• Exceptions

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”