Home care services and the protection of the health and safety of auxiliary workers

Abstract

This paper analyses occupational risk prevention in the home care service sector, especially when the home care worker provides services for a company that holds a concession for the public service offered by the local authority. Special attention is paid to risk assessment and the factors that govern it, such as the location of the home care provider's residence, the health status of the home care provider, the characteristics of the worker (home care provider), and the working conditions, which include the organization and management of the activity to be performed. Once all these aspects have been evaluated, preventive measures should be aimed at avoiding the identified risks. The measures to be adopted include physical modifications to the home care provider's residence; improving the home care provider's right to information and training, as well as their communication channels with the company and social services; strengthening personal protective equipment and technical measures to improve work performance; and developing action protocols for emergency situations, such as those involving physical violence or harassment.