General Safety

Question 1

Who is responsible?

Answer 1

It is the responsibility of the employer to notify employees about known safety risks. The employee also has a responsibility to report safety risks that they become aware of.

Question 2

Harrassment

Answer 2

If an employee is feeling harassed at work, it should always be reported as harassment is against the law.

Question 3

Safety in a private home

Answer 3

If a worker is feeling threatened in a private home, they should leave immediately, calling 911 as appropriate and notifying their supervisor.

Question 4

WHMIS

Answer 4

Employees must receive training on WHMIS annually to ensure that they can protect themselves from hazardous substances. Be certain to read labels and know where the SDS (safety data sheets) are located, as these contain important information and must be accessible to all staff.

Question 5

Who is vulnerable?

Answer 5

Infants: are unable to perceive risks or protect themselves

Young Children: are not yet aware of all of the dangers

People with Disabilities: may not be able to physically protect themselves and/or understand the risk

Older Persons: may have declining mobility, vision, hearing, taste or cognitive abilities that do not allow them detect, understand and/or protect themselves from risk

Question 6

Promoting Safety (4)

Answer 6

1. A PSW can always increase safety by providing increased supervision or observation,
2. answering call bells promptly,
3. ensuring areas are free of clutter, trip hazards or other risk factors.
4. In a clients home, the client may have the final say, for example, a plastic garbage bag should not be used to protect a mattress, but ultimately that is the decision of the client. Such safety risks should be reported to the supervisor.

Question 7

Fire

Answer 7

R: rescue or remove any person in danger

A: activate the alarm

C: confine the fire - close windows and doors

E: evacuate as directed/extinguish ONLY if trained and policy allows

Question 8

Restraint

Answer 8

any physical or chemical barrier that restricts the movement or activity of another person. Restraints are rarely used in healthcare today, as they are now known to increase danger to the client.

Question 9

Physical Restraint

Answer 9

this is something that holds a person in one place or restricts access of the person to their own body. This could be something attaching a part of a persons body to a stationary object, mitts to restrict use of hands, brakes on a wheelchair not allowing them to move and more.

Question 10

Environmental restraint

Answer 10

something that does not allow free movement throughout the environment. This includes a locked unit, bed rails that have the intention of keeping a person in bed and more.

Question 11

Chemical restraint

Answer 11

medication that is given to restrict the activity of the client

Question 12

SDS

Answer 12

Safety Data Sheet - provide detailed safety information on all hazardous materials in use at a workplace. The SDSs must be accessible to all employees.