Common hazards

This page talks you through some of the most prevalent hazards you may face during your work at Lively, and how to manage them.

In an emergency, always remember to follow Lively's Emergency Protocol.

Common Hazards

These are the main workplace risks you’ll face as part of your work at Lively:

Manual handling (e.g. lifting and carrying, or assisting member with movement)
Repetitive work and awkward postures (e.g. weeding, dusting, vacuuming)
Pushing and pulling equipment (e.g. vacuums, lawnmowers)
Slips, trips and falls (e.g. working in cluttered spaces or on uneven ground)
Interpersonal stresses (e.g. managing relationships with members and their families, being uncertain whether you should undertake a task)
Using vehicles (e.g. transporting equipment or members)

Prep: Familiarise yourself with the member's risks and matching request.
Equip: Follow the dress code and carry a fully stocked Helper Kit.
Adapt: On your first visit, review the member's risks to see if there are any possible concerns that should be dealt with before you get started. Repeat this any time you undertake a new task or activity or if there are changes in the environment you’re working in.
- If you discover any safety concerns that must be dealt with before you can get going, take the appropriate steps to adjust the environment or your approach so it is safe.
- If you are not able to do so, or uncertain of how to approach it, then record the hazard in the member's profile and flag it with Lively HQ.
Report: If there are any incidents, report them following the incident reporting process. You can also talk to the Helper Coordinator as part of your regular check-ins if you feel uncomfortable, or you just need some support.

Here are the specific strategies you should follow to manage the hazards listed above:

Policy: You should not move or lift very heavy items such as furniture by yourself, but try and organise for assistance or special equipment.
Policy: Do not assist members with mobility difficulties unless you have training to do so. Occasional, light mobility assistance is OK.
Practice: Move bins closer to where you are working to avoid having to carry items too far.

"Awkward postures" are any postures where you are bent slightly forward or slightly backward.
Practice: Remain upright during work as much as possible, and centre your activities between your waist and shoulders.
Practice: Ensure you rotate activities every 30 minutes to avoid muscle strain. This is particularly important for weeding, vacuuming, de-cobwebbing, or any activities where you are slightly bent forward or back.
Equipment: Talk to HQ about long-handled equipment and kneeling mats if you are regularly required to reach over your head or work close to the ground.

Policy: Equipment should be checked as part of safety assessments to ensure wheels or castors roll easily.
Vacuum cleaners should always be carried by the handle, and not pulled by the cable or hose.

Policy: You must not mount ladders above a height of 1m in your work at Lively. Ladders must have been assessed as safe, that is:
- Ladder is stable when on flat ground
- Ladder locks when opened as an A frame
- Ladder rungs are all secure, stable and rust-free
Policy: Safety assessments should identify any uneven surfaces or crowded areas.
Practice: Ensure wires and cords are not stretched across areas where you will be walking.
Practice: Clean up spills and wet areas straight away.
Practice: Move bins closer to where you are working to avoid having to carry items too far.
Practice: Maintain 3 points of contact on a ladder at all times.

Policy: If at any point you feel unsafe with a member or any person at work, leave the area and call the appropriate Support Coordinator or Care Manager.
Policy: Ensure you are familiar with Lively's Community Code.
Practice: Know and understand the boundaries of your role clearly so you can articulate to individuals when they are crossing the line.

Policy: Do not use your mobile in the car unless for voice-guided GPS navigation that does not divert your eyes from the road.
Policy: Before transporting members, ensure you have completed the transport training and your vehicle has been assessed as fit for purpose as outlined in the 'Transport' section.
Practice: Review the access plan for homes before you arrive to ensure appropriate parking is available.
Practice: Schedule sufficient time to travel to and from your sessions to avoid rushing.

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