Avenue Home Care is committed to maintaining a hazard free and safe environment for our employees. We consider your health and safety a priority. Training is provided to you so that you will be safe in your assignments. We will also enforce and practice safe work procedures.

Should you become aware of any conditions that might put you at risk, you are to inform your supervisor immediately. All incidents will be considered important. Unsafe conditions will be corrected as soon as management is aware of the condition.

In addition to trying to assure a safe work environment, we want you to be safe when you are in the community. The following are simple safety rules that you should follow whether you are on duty or out on your own.

• Car safety: Even when driving in a neighborhood you know and feel safe in, lock your doors and windows. Never leave your nursing bag or other packages on the seat where they can be seen. Obey all hands-free cell phone laws while driving.

• Personal safety: Never carry large sums of money or other valuables. Leave expensive jewelry and credit cards at home.

• Street safety: Always park in a lighted location as close to your client’s home as possible. Avoid walking through unlit areas alone. If you feel you are being followed, go to the nearest house or business and seek help.

• Safety in the clients home: If you arrive at your assignment and find that the client or one of the client’s friends or family members is intoxicated, acting hostile, or appears to be engaged in illegal activity and you feel that you and/or the client is at risk, remove yourself and the client to a safe place and call the office for direction. Additionally, when in the client’s home, do not leave your purse or nursing bag where others such as children, neighbors, or delivery people can have access to them.

• Protection against accusations of theft: If your client has large sums of money, jewelry, or other valuables around the house in an unsecured area report the findings to your supervisor immediately. Do not remove the valuables yourself. Agency administration will assume responsibility to inform the family. Do not accept gifts or money. Clients may offer in all good faith, then forget and report it stolen the next day. Do not handle client’s finances except those directly related to the care plan. Report any theft, damage, or loss of their personal effects immediately.

In the final analysis, good “common sense” is your best defense against an unsafe or compromising situation. If you feel unsafe, trust your “gut”, exit the situation and call the office for direction.

• Violence in the Workplace

Avenue Home Care has a strong belief in preventing and protecting employees from violence in the workplace. All employees, clients, and other business contacts must be treated with courtesy and respect at all times. All clients under our care are assessed at intake to identify any potential for acts of violence to ensure our employees are protected. You should not at any time place yourself in a position of danger, nor should you attempt to intercede during an incident.

A report should be promptly made to your supervisor of any and all violent acts against other personnel, clients, or visitors in the agency office, client’s home, or the community while on work assignment. If an employee feels there is immediate danger, they should call 911. Every attempt will be made to keep the reported incident confidential and the agency will not retaliate against employees making reports in good faith. A full written report will be made describing the actions taken by the employee and the agency subsequent to the violence. The incident will be reported on the agency’s Incident Report form. If the victim was an employee, OSHA Form 301 may need to be completed depending on the severity of the incident. OSHA 300 will be notified.

If the violence resulted in injuries a medical evaluation of the victim will be sought. If the involved employee, client, or visitor did not contact the local law enforcement to report the incident, the agency will make the report and fully cooperate in the investigation.

Any conduct by an employee while employed by the agency that threatens, intimidates, or coerces another person will not be tolerated. No agency resources may be used to threaten, stalk, or harass anyone at or outside the agency. We do not tolerate any abusive relationships, whether business or personal. Employees may face suspension, termination, and/or legal prosecution if such behavior is confirmed upon investigation.

• Smoke-Free Workplace

Avenue Home Care abides federal and state laws and regulations regarding a smoke-free workplace. No smoking is allowed in agency offices or in client homes.

• Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace

As an employee of Avenue Home Care, you are expected and required to report to work on time and in appropriate mental and physical condition for work. It is the intent of the agency to provide an alcohol and drug free, healthy, safe, and secure working environment.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on agency premises, or while conducting agency business offsite is absolutely prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and may have legal consequences.

The agency recognizes alcohol and drug abuse as a potential health, safety, and security problem. Employees needing help in dealing with such problems are encouraged to use available health resources and health insurance plans as appropriate. Conscientious efforts to seek such help will not jeopardize any employee’s job and will not be noted in any personnel records.

• Inability to Access a Client’s Residence

If you are unable to gain access to a client’s residence, (i.e., client does not answer the door, or you have reason to believe that the client may not be safe), you take immediate action to ascertain the client’s condition. This can include contacting supervisor to if there is a reason for the client’s failure to respond. If you remain uncertain of the client’s whereabouts or condition and with supervisor/family approval, contact the police to gain access to the home.

• Staff and Client Home Safety

Upon hire, employees will be instructed regarding the development of an evacuation plan that is posted, emergency numbers that should be accessible, the locations of essential medications, and necessary supplies available in a designated area for both the agency offices and client homes in case of an emergency or disaster event of an extended time period of no services and lack of basic utility services.

• Employee Protective Equipment

To protect clients and personnel from cross-contamination exposure, Avenue Home Care will provide personal protective equipment (PPE kits) and materials (at no cost) to all employees involved in client services with the potential for exposure to bodily fluids or contaminants. This equipment may include but is not limited to gloves, gowns, masks, antimicrobial towelette, and bio hazard bags.

You are required to use protective equipment when there is exposure or the possibility of exposure to blood, body fluids including urine, vomitus, feces, sputum, amniotic, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, and cerebrospinal fluids, semen and vaginal secretions, or any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood. Gloves, gowns, aprons, and other protective equipment shall be worn at any time an employee is at risk of occupational exposure.

The agency will ensure that you are provided gloves in appropriate sizes. If a garment is contaminated, it should be removed as soon as feasible and disposed of in accordance with the agency’s policy on infectious and hazardous waste.