Every workplace safety term, acronym, and concept you'll encounter in the caregiving industry â clearly defined.
A setting where something about the location, people, or circumstances increases the chance of violence. For example, working alone in an unfamiliar neighborhood, entering a home with broken locks, or caring for someone with known behavioral issues.
The agencyâs plan for how you check in, call for help, or report issuesâespecially if youâre working alone. Knowing who to contact (and how) during a crisis is part of every workplace violence prevention plan.
When workplace violence is documented, the incident log cannot include personal names or private medical details. This ensures your story is recorded without putting your privacy at risk. You can still ask to review the log, and your identity will be protected.
Repeated behavior that targets you in a way that feels hostile, insulting, or uncomfortable. In caregiving, this could come from a co-worker, client, or family member. It might look like unwanted comments, gestures, or threatsânone of it is okay.
When someone tries to scare or pressure youâusing words, looks, gestures, or actions. It might not include yelling or hitting, but if it makes you feel unsafe, it counts as workplace violence.
If you ever kneel to assist a clientâduring dressing, toileting, or transfersâremember your own safety. Use knee pads if needed, avoid twisting, and rise slowly. Supporting others starts with protecting your own body. Self-care is part of quality care.
A federal agency that sets rules to keep workers safe. OSHA says all workersâincluding caregiversâdeserve a workplace free from violence, threats, and fear.
When someone from your personal lifeâlike an ex-partnerâshows up at your job and causes trouble. If it happens while youâre working, itâs still considered workplace violence.
Your right to get a copy of your workplace violence prevention plan. You donât need to ask twice or give a reasonâyour agency must provide it for free.
When incidents keep happening in similar waysâlike always during the night shift, or always with the same clientâs family. Agencies should use patterns in the violent incident log to prevent future harm.
Violence from someone with no connection to the jobâlike a stranger walking into a clientâs home and being aggressive. Also called âcriminal intentâ violence.
Violence from a client, patient, or their family. This is the most common type in home care. It includes verbal abuse, aggression, or threatening behavior.
Violence between co-workers, supervisors, or staff. In caregiving, this could be bullying, harassment, or fighting between team members.
Violence related to personal relationships, like a spouse or ex-partner confronting you at work. If it affects you while on the job, itâs workplace violence.
A formal workplace record used to document reported incidents involving threats, aggression, or violence in the caregiving environment. These records help agencies identify patterns, improve prevention strategies, and maintain safer work environments for all staff. Caregivers have the right to know this log exists and to request access to it.
Caregiving happens in homes, but that doesnât mean you skip safety. You watch for wet floors, use proper lifting techniques, and report hazards. Your health matters, too. Safe caregiving includes taking care of yourself so you can keep showing up for others.
Any act or threatâphysical, verbal, emotional, or psychologicalâthat happens while youâre working and makes you feel unsafe. It can come from clients, families, strangers, or coworkers. If it causes fear, itâs violence.
The document your agency must have in place that explains how they will prevent, respond to, and learn from workplace violence. You should know how to get a copy and understand what it includes.
