Appendix H: Subject/Module outline for each subject in the program
Subject/Module Title:
# 4 Safety
Subject Length:
9
(hours)
Subject Description (Suitable for School Calendar):
This module deals with aspects of safety as they relate to both the consumer/client and the worker. One of the fundamental activities of
the Personal Support Worker/Personal Attendant is assisting the consumer/client with routine activities of living. It is essential that the
PSW/PA provide assistance in a manner which is effective, safe and provides for the consumer’s/client’s comfort. As part of this, the
PSW/PA must be aware of potential risks posed by unsafe equipment or settings and the appropriate actions to take if unsafe situations
are identified. Infection control methods will be taught as infections can cause distress for both the consumer/client and the worker.
Textbooks/Manuals:
Mosby’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker - 2nd edition, 2009, Sorrentino, Wilk & Newmaster
Internet based Resources and Instructor Handouts
Method of Evaluation (e.g., graded homework, quizzes, projects, final examination, et cetera; the type, number, and % value of each)
Type
Test
Assignment
Number
% Value
1
1
75
25
Type
Number
% Value
Type
Number
Teaching Method (indicate number of hours on line after item):
Lecture
Supervised Practical (e.g., clinic)
6
3
Computer Based Learning
Supervised Lab (e.g., computers)
Seminar
Distance Education
Location:
Classroom/Lab (School)
Classroom/Lab (Off-campus)
Does the subject require a final examination or a formal evaluation?
Yes
No
If “yes”, indicate the pass mark ►___70_%_____
Practicum (Off-campus)
% Value
Appendix H – Knowledge and Skill OBJECTIVES
PSW Module # 4 Safety (9 hours)
* Excerpted from the Personal Support Worker Training: Outcomes and Module Outlines (with alterations by NACC) documents produced by the
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and published by the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA)
Knowledge (The key elements that a student is expected to know upon completion of subject
Core Competency - 16. Promote a Safe Environment
1. Have knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
2. Know ways to promote a safe environment.
3. Know how to recognize unsafe situations and which steps to take to prevent/minimize injury to the consumer/client and self, in
consultation with the consumer/client.
4. Know the risk factors to prevent and emergency measures to manage falls, burns, scalds, and suffocation situations.
5. Know the types of restraints and how to use them safely.
6. Know of/how to use and care for equipment safely and correctly.
7. Know how to recognize potential fire hazards in the work place and which actions to take in the event of fire.
8. Know the principles of W.H.M.I.S. including product classifications, hazard symbols, MSDSs and labeling.
9. Know the procedures for safe handling/storage of hazardous products.
10. Know the principles of medical and surgical asepsis.
11. Know the steps to minimize contamination or cross-infection.
12. Know the various types of isolation precautions.
13. Know the principles of standard precautions and their application.
14. Know why/how to complete an incident report following an unusual occurrence, in accordance with agency policy.
Appendix H – Knowledge and Skill OBJECTIVES
PSW Module # 4 Safety (9 hours)
Skill (the key behaviours that a student is expected to be able to perform upon completion of
subject)
Core Competency – 16. Promote a Safe Environment
1. Demonstrate knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation through application.
2. Identify ways to promote a safe environment.
3. Identify unsafe situations and take steps to prevent/minimize injury to the consumer/client and self, in consultation with the
consumer/client.
4. Identify risk factors to prevent and emergency measures to manage falls, burns, scalds, and suffocation situations.
5. Identify types of restraints and how to use them safely.
6. Identify, use and care for equipment safely and correctly.
7. Identify potential fire hazards in the work place and actions to take in the event of fire.
8. Explain the principles of W.H.M.I.S. including product classifications, hazard symbols, MSDSs and labeling.
9. Identify procedures for safe handling/storage of hazardous products.
10. Explain the principles of medical and surgical asepsis.
11. Identify steps to minimize contamination or cross-infection.
12. Describe the various types of isolation precautions.
13. Explain the principles of standard precautions and their application.
14. Explain why/how to complete an incident report following an unusual occurrence, in accordance with agency policy.
Appendix H - SUBJECT/MODULE OUTLINE
Time
Main Topic
Sub-Topics
PSW Module # 4 Safety (9 hours)
Relative
Value in %
9 Hours
0.5 hour
1.
Promoting a Safe Environment
(a) Review of Occupational Health and Safety legislation
(b) Identification of Unsafe Situations and Related Risk Factors
(c) Accident Risk Factors for Clients/Residents
• awareness of surroundings
• vision impairment
• hearing impairment
• reduced sense of smell and touch
• decreased mobility (paralysis, balance, etc.)
• medication side effects
• age
(d) Safety Measures for Infants and Small Children
(e) Safety Measures for Older Persons
(f) Confirming Client/Resident Identity Prior to Treatment
5.5%
0.5 hour
2.
Preventing Falls
(a) Factors that Increase the Risk of Falls
(b) Safety Measures to Prevent Falls
(c) Use of Bedrails, Handrails, Grab bars, Wheel locks, Wheelchairs
5.5%
0.5 hour
3.
Burns and Burn Prevention
(a) Safety Measures to Prevent Burns/Scalds
(b) Types of Burns/Scalds
(c) Management and Emergency Care of Burns/Scalds
5.5%
0.5 hour
4.
Suffocation
(a) Definition of Suffocation and Status
(b) Common Causes of Suffocation - choking, drowning, gas inhalation, smoke inhalation,
strangulation, electrical shock
(c) Safety Measures to Prevent Suffocation
(d) Prevention and Management of Suffocation Emergencies
5.5%
0.5 hour
5.
Restraints
(a) Agency Policy on Restraints
(b) Confinement
(c) Types of Restraints
• physical
• chemical
(d) Risks of Using Restraints
(e) Alternatives to Using Restraints
(f) Safe Use of Restraints
(g) Legal Implications
5.5%
0.5 hour
6.
Fire Safety
(a) Definition of Fire and Causes of Fire
(b) Measures to Prevent Fires
(c) Actions to Take when a Fire Occurs (RACE)
(d) Correct Use of a Fire Extinguisher (types A, B and C)
(e) Evacuation Plans
5.5%
0.5 hour
7.
Poison Prevention
(a) Safety Measures to Prevent Poisoning
(b) Types of Poisons (food, hazardous products, medications, plants)
(c) Management of Poisoning Incidents
(d) Poison Control Centers
5.5%
0.25 hour
8.
Preventing Equipment Accidents
(a) Inspecting Equipment Before Use
(b) Electrical Equipment
• three-pronged plugs/ground
• electrical shocks (frayed cords/overloading)
• warning signs of faulty equipment
(c) Safety Measures when Using Equipment
3%
1 hour
9.
W.H.M.I.S.
(a) WHMIS Principles
(b) WHMIS Classes and their Symbols
(c) M.S.D.S.
(d) Labeling
(e) Storage, Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Materials
11%
4 hours
10.
Infection Control
(a) Microorganisms
• types
• requirements for growth
• normal flora
(b) Infection
• definition/signs and symptoms
• chain of infection
• routes of transmission
• nosocomial infection
(c) Medical Asepsis
• definition
• common infection control practices (home and facility)
• other aseptic measures (controlling reservoirs, portals of exit, transmission, portals of
entry and protecting the susceptible host)
44.5%
Infection Control (continued)
(d) Hand Washing
• rules and procedures
(e) Immunization
(f) Care of Supplies and Equipment
• cleaning
• disinfection
• sterilization
(g) Isolation
• definition and types
• standard precautions (equipment, room, linen, transmission of disease)
• protective measures (gloves, gowns, masks and eyewear)
• collecting specimens
• transporting the “isolated” patient
(h) Standard Precautions (Blood borne Pathogens)
• terminology/standards
• diseases (Hepatitis B, HIV, etc.)
• practices and procedures
(i) Surgical Asepsis
• definition and principles/practices
• donning and removing sterile gloves
0.25 hour
11.
Documentation of Unusual Incidents
(a) Emergency Procedures
(b) Reporting Mechanisms
(c) Incident Reports
3%