Lesson 4 : IDENTIFY HAZARD AND RISK

Caregiving is the fastest growing sector in the health care industry. A huge number of
Filipino caregivers have been recognized around the world for being diligent and very caring as
they manifested the Filipino values of wholehearted service to their clients.

However, caregivers are exposed to hazard and risk in their workplace and this requires
much attention for them to maintain good health while giving service. Acquiring skills and
knowledge in minimizing and controlling hazards is very important to anyone including you.
This will help you to be responsible and independent in doing caregiving activities safe and
sound

HAZARD AND RISK

Hazard is anything dangerous and likely to cause harm or damage to an individual.

Risk is the possibility that an individual could be harmed by danger, defeat, or loss.

Types of Hazards in Caregiving

Physical hazards are the most usual occurrences in workplaces. They are easy to
detect, however, very often are neglected because people are too accustomed to them.
The Caregiver may be exposed to:
 Electrical hazards: Even in daycare institutions or nursing homes where care should be
of utmost concern, improper wiring, and frayed cords may still go unnoticed.
 Endless loud noise: If one is going to work in a nursing home, frequent noise from
patients who are suffering from depression is a hazard.
 Spills on floors: There are times when even the caregivers themselves do not mind spills
on floors. This poses a hazard to everyone.

Some of the Effects of Physical Hazards:

 fire
 decreased efficiency
 annoyance
 slips, trips, and falls

Biological hazards. If one is working in daycare, hospital, hotel laundry, nursing home,
laboratories, he/she may be exposed to biological hazards.
The Caregiver may be exposed to:
 exposure to blood or bodily fluids when
performing first aid, etc.
 exposure to infectious diseases if in close
contact with an infected individual or in areas
where the infected person lives or visits.
 exposure to soiled linen
 bacteria and viruses

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 Some of the Effects of Biological Hazards

 infections
 allergy, skin irritations
 Tuberculosis
 AIDS

Ergonomic hazards occur when a caregiver’s

body position and working conditions put pressure on
his/her body. It is difficult to spot this type of hazard because caregivers do not immediately
notice the effect on their bodies. At first, sore muscles may be experienced. Exposure to this
type of hazard for a long period of time can cause musculoskeletal problems.
The Ergonomic hazards that a caregiver may be exposed to:
 doing tasks that require lifting heavy loads, too much bending, and reaching.
 standing for long periods.
 awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive.

Some of the Effects of Ergonomic Hazards

 pain in the shoulders
 back injury

Chemical hazards it is when the caregiver is exposed to any chemical preparation in the
workplace in any form (solid, liquid, or gas). There may be safe chemicals, but some caregivers
that are sensitive to solutions may cause skin irritation, illness, or breathing problems.
The Chemical hazards that a caregiver may be
exposed to:
 cleaning products
 disinfecting solutions
Effects of Chemical Hazards
 Lungs diseases
 Difficulty in breathing
 Allergy

Psychological Hazards happen when a caregiver’s work environment becomes stressful

or demanding.
The Caregiver may be exposed to:
 Burn out, fatigue and on-call duty
 Unreasonable expectations from patients or clients
 Verbal abuse from dissatisfied clients

Some of the Effects of Psychological Hazards

 Loss of confidence
 Loss of concentration at work

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 Anxiety
 Depression

Hazard refers to anything dangerous and likely to cause harm or damage to

individuals and risk is the possibility that an individual could be harmed of
danger, defeat, or loss.

Hazards in caregiving services are physical, biological, Ergonomic, chemical,

and psychological that can risk a caregiver’s health and even death.
Health and safety risks in the workplace need to be managed, either by
eliminating risks or if possible minimizing them

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