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Protecting Yourself on the Job
Physical safety and health
Work with your employer to protect your own safety as well as your employer’s. Certain safety training may be required. For example, you may need to learn how to handle an emergency, how to safely help someone in and out of bed, and what to do if you come in contact with blood or bodily fluids. Ask your employer about education and training to make sure you know how to do your job safely.
The Worker Info Sheet Where to Find Training as a Personal Assistant can help you learn what training courses are required and where to get training. Here are some basic safety tips - Prevent accidents by looking for and getting help to avoid dangers such as clutter, loose rugs, insufficient lighting, frayed or rusting material, exposed wire or worn plugs, or slippery surfaces.
- Plan ahead for emergencies so you know what to do and who to contact in case of an emergency. Make sure you know where to find important phone numbers.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water when you arrive at work, before handling food, and after cleaning the bathroom or assisting with personal care.
- Reduce the risk of injury on the job by having the right equipment to help with lifting or make other tasks less dangerous for you and your employer. Examples include light weight, long-handled mops, rolling carts for carrying heavy loads, stepstools to minimize reaching, transfer chairs, shower chairs and bars.
- Talk to your employer about changing the way the job is done to reduce the risk of injury to both of you. Be sure to tell your employer when there are problems or when cleaning or care supplies run low.
Source: Adapted from materials prepared by the Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services in Alameda County (California).
http://www.ac-pa4ihss.org/content/140.asp
Tips for taking care of your emotional health
Being a personal assistant can be a difficult job at times. If your work as a personal assistant is too stressful, get help. Letting a lot of stress build up can ruin how you feel about your job. Here are some ideas if you feel you’re getting too stressed out:
- Develop relationships with other personal assistants. People with strong emotional support from other personal assistants are less likely to report stress or to fear that they will become abusive.
- Learn to recognize and understand the causes of difficult behaviors and techniques for handling them more effectively.
- Get healthy. Exercise, relaxation, good nutrition and adequate rest have been shown to reduce stress and help caregivers cope.
- Get help. Encourage your employer to make use of social and support services, including support groups, respite care, home-delivered meals, adult day care and assessment services.
- Check out these websites for more tips on taking care of yourself emotionally, reducing stress, and avoiding burnout as a personal assistant:
Source: Adapted from http://www.elderabusecenter.org/pdf/family/fact_sheet.pdf
Personal safety on the Internet
Using the Internet to find a job has certain risks. To protect yourself and your privacy, follow these tips:
- Never give personal information to someone you don’t know.
- When you interview, you may want to tell someone you trust when, where and who you are going to see.
- If you don’t feel safe during an interview, don’t be afraid to leave.
Your rights as an employee
Workers’ Compensation
As an employee, you should be covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance (also called “Workers' Comp”) in case you are injured when you’re on the job. Providing this insurance is your employer’s responsibility, so talk to your employer to make sure you are covered. For more information about Workers' Comp, you can contact Alpha One or the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board:
For information about other rights you have as an employee: - Employee Rights Guide
This is guide from the Maine Department of Labor explains your rights as an employee. It has information about hours, wages, working conditions, workers compensation, and discrimination.
http://www.maine.gov/labor/bls/employeerightsguide.htm - Pine Tree Legal Assistance
If you need advice or help with a legal issue, Pine Tree Legal provides legal assistance to low-income residents of Maine. Their website has a list of ways to get help on many issues as well as links to many other legal services providers in Maine.
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Worker Info 
