Staff Training August 2012 Judy Willig, LCSW Executive Director Heights and Hills...

Worker SafetyStaff TrainingAugust 2012

Judy Willig, LCSWExecutive DirectorHeights and [email protected]

When in doubt...... get out!

Your ultimate goal is to escape without harm.

The underlying principle in self-protection is to avoid danger and physical confrontation

Violence Prevention


When in Doubt…..

…..Get out

Remember


Listen to your instincts!

Do not be embarrassed or think you are a “bad worker” if you are afraid of something or someone.


In the office

Before the Visit

Getting there

The Home Visit

Areas Covered in this Presentation


In The Office


Safety is everyone’s business When letting someone in, make sure you know

who they are and that they are in the right place

No solicitors are allowed in the office If in doubt, make sure someone else is nearby Be aware of your surroundings and any

strangers wandering around unattended

When in the office:


Before the Visit


Reason for referral Health, disabilities History of mental illness History of violence, domestic or otherwise History of substance abuse

Review intake information


Will anyone else be present during visit?◦ Who, and what is their relationship to you?

Are there any firearms or weapons in the home?◦ (Check your agency policy on firearms in the

home) Do you have any pets?

◦ (Arrange for pets to be locked in another room or outside during visit)

Are you able to answer the door yourself?

Pre-visit questions to ask


Do you live in an apartment?◦ What floor?◦ Is there an elevator? Does it work?

Are you afraid to go outside? Let your client advise you about any safety

concerns in the area/neighborhood, so that they can become your partner in safety

Check with local law enforcement to determine if there have been complaints at the address

Pre-visit questions to ask, cont’d


Contrary to what you were taught in social work school, sometimes resistance needs to be respected, not worked through

Assess Resistance


Getting There


General Tips Whenever you leave the office, make sure

your supervisor knows where you are and what time you are expected to return

Create a sign out book or sign out on a whiteboard

Make sure your office has your emergency contact information


Schedule visits during daylight hours, preferably before school lets out

When visiting known dangerous areas, make your appointment early in the day

Practical tips around scheduling


Dress to protect yourself Wear clothes and shoes that make it easy to

move quickly Avoid wearing expensive looking jewelry or any

accessory that could potentially be dangerous (e.g. a scarf or long necklace)

Keep jewelry out of sight; turn rings around so stones are on the palm side of your hand.

Dress professionally, but appropriately. Avoid wearing very short skirts, low-cut tops, etc.

What to Wear


If you must carry a purse, be sure to keep your keys, a little money and your cell phone in pockets or a waist pack

Keep a firm grip on handbags. NEVER wrap the handle around your hand or wrist or wear a shoulder bag across your body– you will be pulled down if the bag is grabbed.

Bring a co-worker with you and practice a signal


If you are certain that you are about to be hurt, shout, scream and call out for help. Noise will bring assistance and scare off the would-be attacker.


BE ALERT – Look around you to see who is standing near you or walking toward you.

BE DETERMINED – If you are on an unfamiliar or deserted street, quicken your pace and act as if you are going to meet someone who is waiting for you.

PLAN AHEAD – Know where you are going, have a route in mind. Practice an excuse for leaving if you feel uncomfortable

General Tips


Know where you are going and how to get there ◦ Use www.mapquest.com for driving directions

◦ Use www.hopstop.com for subway directions

Whether walking or driving, use main streets instead of more deserted side streets

Be alert at all times Do not listen to iPod or other MP3 device Do not walk or drive while using cell phone

General Tips, cont’d

http://www.mapquest.com/

http://www.hopstop.com/


Contact the client before you arrive to remind them that you are coming so you are not left waiting outside

Ask them to watch for you upon arrival Have them watch you when you leave If you are unsure of the area and have

concerns, talk to your supervisor


Keep your cell phone with you at all times and have it programmed to dial 911

Carry yourself in a professional manner Walk with purpose Walk in the center of the sidewalk Avoid isolated stairs or darkened areas Carry a noise-making device, such as a whistle Make a mental note of stores, churches,

schools, neutral places where you can access help


Drive around the neighborhood to get your bearings

Drive past the house first in both directions Know how to exit the neighborhood Park your car in a well-lit area Park your car so that you can make a quick

get-away

When Driving


In an emergency, notify the motorman, conductor, or token booth attendant.

Don’t stand at the end of an empty platform. If possible, wait for the next train near the token booth during non-rush hours. Always stay near other passengers.

During non-rush hours, ride the center of the train near the conductor’s position, or in the front car near the motorman.

Subway Safety


Don’t stand at the edge of the platform.

NEVER sleep on the subway.

During non-rush hours, use gates near the attended token booths when entering and leaving the system.

Use off-hours waiting areas in the stations. These areas are under observation by a Transit Authority employee.

Subway Safety


Before entering, take a moment to observe the home’s exterior. Look for hiding places, vulnerable points, blocked exits, and escape routes

Check for unusual odors Take in environmental signals and your own

internal signals

In the Home


Listen at the door before knocking and stand to the side when knocking and when the door is opened

Identify yourself when knocking You can decide not to go in or to leave

immediately if something frightens you. Listen to your instincts

In the Home, Cont’d.


Do not enter if your client is not there

If you find the door ajar, knock and call out the client’s name. If no one answers, try calling on your cell phone. If there is still no answer, leave and notify your supervisor.

If the client is inappropriately dressed, ask them to get dressed while you wait outside.

In the Home, Cont’d.


As you enter the home, notice the general interior layout and the exits

Know where the door is in relation to where you are sitting

Position yourself for an easy exit, if necessary Try to sit on hard chairs, rather than cushioned

ones when in the home Mentally prepare for various situations (e.g.

threats by a client, suggestive comments, etc.) Practice an excuse for leaving if you feel uncomfortable

In the Home, cont’d.


Remain alert. Watch for changes in the client’s mood, movement or expression

If you feel threatened at any point during a meeting in a client’s home, err on the side of caution and politely terminate the visit and leave

Always be respectful to the client, as you are in their home



Set boundaries with the client and leave at once if they are crossed (e.g. inappropriate clothing, threats, drug use)

If anything looks out of the ordinary in or around the dwelling, or you feel uneasy about the situation you are in, leave and call the police

If illegal activity is in progress, do not confront– leave immediately. Call the police after you are safely away from the situation



Trust your gut– if you feel unsafe, get out

Inform your supervisor of any situation with a client or family member that is inappropriate, unsafe, or needs attention



Scan the area around the home for potential dangers

Do not leave the residence until you feel safe

Ask the client to watch you leave

Check in with your office to let them know you have completed your visit and you are safe

Leaving the home


Establish a buddy system

Do visits in pairs and have a signal

Establish a relationship with law enforcement

Develop a call-in protocol (e.g. every 20 minutes)

Check-in board

Develop a worker safety protocol

Safety Ideas for Your Agency


Raise consciousness so that worker safety is seen as a legitimate practice concern

Administrators and supervisors take the lead in promoting safety

Offer in-service training

Develop a user-friendly means of reporting and tracking incidents

Administrative


Your safety is of utmost importance

When in doubt.....

.....get out!

Remember….

Staff Training August 2012 Judy Willig, LCSW Executive Director Heights and Hills...

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