Injury Among Home Care Workers in Washington State

Abstract

Home Care Aides (HCAs) have nearly four times the rate of injury as the general U.S. work force. In 2015, the Service Employees International Union 775 Benefits Group conducted a health and safety survey with 672 HCAs in Washington State. The goal was to identify the risk factors for injury and to better assess injury rates through self-report. Quantitative analyses assessed injury prevalence and barriers in reporting injury. Overall, 13 percent responded that they had ever had an injury that required medical attention while working as an HCA. These rates are significantly higher for HCAs employed by home care agencies compared with HCAs who work independently. Over a third reported moderate to high levels of hesitancy in reporting an on-the-job injury; these rates were even higher for independent providers. Study findings suggest that HCAs are well informed about appropriate next steps following workplace injury, but strong barriers may prevent them from attempting the reporting process.