Title: Social and healthcare workers' occupational safety and health in clients' homes using a work system framework

Authors: Maria Lindholm; Johanna Pulkkinen; Jouni Kivistö-Rahnasto

Addresses: Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, PL 541, 3014, Finland ' Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, PL 541, 3014, Finland ' Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, PL 541, 3014, Finland

Abstract: The need for home care services has increased and will continue to do so owing to demographic ageing. However, home care employees face multiple occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges while working in a client's home. To identify these challenges in the social and healthcare sectors, a work system framework, which includes various elements individual (employee), technology and tools, organisation, environment and task, was applied. Semi-structured interviews (n = 55) were conducted, and the data was analysed using thematic categorisation. The results suggested that the employees lacked additional safety training, proper equipment and the necessary competence to use them. There were poor work schedules, unclear work tasks and unsuitable work environment, all posing various challenges for the workers. Hence, future studies should aim to explore better OSH development measures.

Keywords: clients; employees; home care; human factors and ergonomics; occupational safety and health; OSH; systems engineering initiative for patient safety; social and healthcare; work system; work scheduling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2024.144214

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2024 Vol.11 No.4, pp.373 - 390

Received: 08 May 2024
Accepted: 26 Oct 2024
Published online: 31 Jan 2025 *

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