Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Related keywords: assisted living facilities, convalescent homes, group homes, hospices (inpatient care), rest homes, adult family homes
Like other large or small businesses in Washington State, nursing and residential care facilities (convalescent homes, rest homes, adult family homes, hospices (inpatient care), assisted living facilities, group homes) are required to address possible workplace hazards through an Accident Prevention Program (APP).
An APP makes good business sense. After all, its ultimate purpose is to prevent injuries and illness to employees.
An APP is a safety tool that prompts employers to do the following:
- Look around to identify workplace hazards that could hurt employees.
- Find and apply ways to reduce or eliminate hazards.
- Provide a detailed safety orientation to employees, so they understand possible hazards of their particular job and how to work safely.
Workplace hazards that are common in nursing and residential care facilities include the following:
- Slips, trips and falls.
- Awkward postures, heavy lifting, and other physical stressors relating to resident handling.
- Exposure to tuberculosis, blood, and other potentially infectious materials.
- Workplace violence.
- Ladder use and other maintenance activities.
- Hazardous drugs.
- Corrosive cleaning products and other potentially hazardous chemicals.
Related Topics
- Accident Prevention Program
- Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)
- Emergency Washing
- First Aid
- Hazard Communication and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
- Hazardous Drugs
- Hospitals: Solutions to frequently-cited safety violations
- Influenza
- Ladder Safety
- Latex Allergies
- Office Safety
- Recordkeeping and Reporting of Worker Injuries (OSHA 300 Log)
- Slips, Trips and Falls (Same elevation)
- Sprains & Strains
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Workplace Violence Prevention
More help from L&I
For general information, call 1-800-423-7233.
