Risk Management Tips for Support Workers Going into clients

Risk Management for Support Workers Going into clients’ homes and out in the community.

At Chosen Family we have some basic and common risk management tips for disability support workers.

We acknowledge that our services can impact the environment we are working in, and we are committed to minimising and rectifying these impacts wherever possible. As a chosen family disability support worker, you play an important role in reducing environmental harm. Please note we will do our best to complete our risk assessment and personal care forms to ensure you are aware of the environment you may find yourselves in.

You are expected to take responsibility for the environmental aspects of your work. This means when you visit a client’s home, accommodation facility or go into the community. Specifically, you should:

1. Adhere to good housekeeping practices.
2. Dispose of rubbish in the designated bins.
3. Clean up spills promptly to minimise hazards.
4. Recycle waste materials according to established guidelines.

Fit for Work

To ensure a safe working environment, it is crucial that you attend work fit and ready to perform your duties. You must not attend work if you are:

1. Affected by drugs, alcohol, or fatigue.
2. Suffering from an illness, injury, or medical condition that may impair your ability to work safely. We encourage you to make contact with Head office immediately before seeing your clients.

You are required to inform your manager if you have any injury, illness, condition, or are taking prescribed medication that could affect your ability to work safely or may alter your behaviour in the workplace.

Important: The consumption and possession of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at Chosen Family Australia.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Unidentified hazards in the workplace can cause injuries or incidents that affect your health and safety, as well as that of your co-workers and the people you support. We conduct regular risk assessments to identify and manage hazards. You are also responsible for reporting any hazards you observe.

Good Housekeeping

Maintaining a tidy and hazard-free work environment is essential for the prevention of injuries, particularly slips, trips, and falls. To minimise these risks, ensure you:

• Remain vigilant for potential slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Walk at a steady pace, avoiding sudden movements.
• Keep your line of sight clear when carrying heavy or large objects.
• Use handrails when navigating stairs.

Common slip, trip, and fall hazards include:

• Wet or oily surfaces.
• Loose mats or trailing wires.
• Poor lighting.
• Open drawers, cabinets, or doors.
• Uneven walkways or steps.

Please complete an incident form or request a risk assessment form and we will walk you through how to complete this. This ensures you and any other staff members are safe. 



By following good housekeeping practices and staying alert, you help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Manual Tasks

Manual tasks, including lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling, or maintaining postures for extended periods, can lead to musculoskeletal injuries if not performed correctly. To minimise the risk of injury:

1. Keep frequently used equipment within easy reach.
2. Avoid excessive reaching, bending, and twisting.
3. Work at waist height whenever possible.
4. Store frequently used items at waist level.
5. Maintain regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
6. Take breaks to stretch and relax your muscles.



Remember: Manual task-related injuries can occur suddenly or develop gradually over time, especially when lifting heavy objects or maintaining poor posture.

Before lifting an object, consider the following SMART questions:

• Do I need to lift this object?
• Can I move it safely by asking for help?
• Is there a lifting aid, such as a trolley, available?
• Are there procedures to follow for safe lifting?
• Is there any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that can help, such as gloves with extra grip?

When lifting, use the SMART technique:

1. Size up the weight and dimensions of the load.
2. Move your body as close to the load as possible.
3. Always bend your knees, not your back.
4. Raise the load with your legs, not your back.
5. Turn your feet in the direction you wish to move.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is essential to protect you from workplace hazards. You are responsible for ensuring that you wear and properly maintain any PPE provided to you. This includes:

1. Ensuring PPE is not misused or intentionally damaged.
2. Inspecting PPE before use to confirm it is in good working condition.
3. Keeping PPE clean and fully operational.
4. Storing PPE in designated areas to avoid damage.
5. Reporting any damaged or ineffective PPE for replacement.

Key PPE areas include protection for your:

• Hearing
• Head
• Eyes
• Respiratory system
• Body
• Hands
• Feet

Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures in SIL or SDA Facilities

In the event of a fire, it is essential to know the location of firefighting equipment and follow safety procedures. You are not required to use firefighting equipment unless you are trained to do so. However, you should be able to direct others to the appropriate equipment.

Fire Extinguishers:

To use a fire extinguisher, follow the PASS method:

1. Pull the pin.
2. Aim at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the handle.
4. Sweep the extinguisher back and forth.

Fire Hoses:

To operate a fire hose, you must:

1. Turn on the water flow at the hose reel.
2. Unwind the hose.
3. Open the nozzle and direct water at the base of the fire.

Note: Fire hoses should not be used on electrical or flammable liquid fires.

Fire Blankets:

Fire blankets are used to smother small fires or to wrap around a person whose clothing is on fire. They can withstand temperatures up to 500°C and should be used in emergencies only.

Emergency Assembly Area:

In the event of an evacuation, proceed to the designated emergency assembly area. The location may vary depending on the situation, so always follow the instructions of the designated wardens. Once at the assembly area, remain there until the all-clear is given by emergency services. Please ensure you are aware of any of these if you ever find yourself working in a SIL or SDA facility.

First Aid

If you are injured, seek first aid treatment immediately. Contact details for first aid officers are displayed prominently. All injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to your manager. In the event of a serious injury, seek further medical assistance promptly, and call an ambulance for all medical emergencies.

Note: Your safety and well-being are our top priority. Adhering to these health and safety guidelines helps ensure a safe working environment for everyone.