COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Preventing Injuries in Disability Support course. This course is designed for disability support professionals who play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of participants. Working in disability support involves various physical, environmental, and behavioural risks that can lead to injuries for both workers and participants.
This course begins by exploring the common types of injuries in disability support, identifying high-risk activities and environments, and understanding the contributing factors to workplace injuries.
Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation is fundamental to injury prevention. This section provides an overview of relevant WHS laws, employer and employee responsibilities, and the importance of reporting and recording workplace injuries to maintain a safe and compliant working environment.
Identifying risks and hazards is a key step in preventing injuries. This section covers how to conduct workplace risk assessments, recognise environmental and task-related hazards, and report safety concerns effectively to minimise potential risks in disability support settings.
Participant-centred risk management ensures that safety measures align with individual needs and preferences. This section highlights the importance of involving participants in safety planning, respecting their choices while implementing risk-reduction strategies, and balancing safety with independence.
Safe mobility and transfers are essential skills for support workers. This section focuses on assisting participants with limited mobility, using correct techniques for bed-to-wheelchair and chair transfers, and reducing fall risks during movement to prevent injuries.
Falls and slips are a major cause of injuries in disability support. This section examines the common causes of falls, strategies for modifying environments to improve safety, and techniques for assisting participants with balance and stability to reduce the likelihood of falls.
Personal care assistance can present physical risks for both workers and participants. This section covers safe techniques for assisting with dressing and hygiene, handling heavy or uncooperative participants, and protecting both the worker and participant during transfers to prevent strain or injury.
Fire and emergency preparedness are critical in disability support environments. This section provides guidance on identifying fire hazards, assisting participants in emergency evacuations, and understanding fire safety equipment and procedures to ensure a prompt and effective response.
Infection control and hygiene practices help prevent the spread of illness and disease. This section covers best practices for hand hygiene, the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the safe handling of contaminated materials to maintain a healthy support environment.
Preventing injuries from challenging behaviours requires specialised skills. This section explores how to recognise aggression and self-harm risks, apply de-escalation techniques, and implement crisis intervention strategies to ensure the safety of both the participant and the support worker.
Supporting participants with complex health needs requires an understanding of their medical conditions. This section focuses on managing chronic illnesses, preventing pressure sores and skin injuries, and monitoring health changes to prevent medical complications.
Safe medication handling is essential to minimise the risks associated with medication errors. This section covers the correct procedures for storing and administering medications, reducing the risk of errors, and identifying and responding to adverse medication reactions.
Transport safety for NDIS participants ensures secure and efficient mobility. This section provides guidance on assisting participants in and out of vehicles safely, securing mobility aids and wheelchairs, and managing emergencies that may arise during transport.
Workplace violence and personal safety must be addressed in disability support. This section highlights the risks of workplace violence, strategies for protecting oneself from harm, and procedures for reporting incidents to ensure a safe working environment.
Using assistive technology and equipment correctly can prevent accidents. This section explores how to select appropriate assistive devices for participants, ensure proper maintenance and safe usage, and provide training to participants on how to use their equipment effectively.
Supporting participants in community access activities involves unique safety considerations. This section discusses risk management in outdoor and public environments, assisting participants in navigating uneven terrain, and preventing injuries during recreational activities.
Accurate documentation and reporting of injuries contribute to ongoing safety improvements. This section outlines the importance of incident reporting, steps to take when an injury occurs, and how reviewing reports can lead to better safety practices and injury prevention strategies.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and practical skills needed to prevent injuries, promote a safe working environment, and support participants in a way that minimises risk while maintaining dignity, independence, and quality of life.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Injury Risks in Disability Support
- Common types of injuries in disability support
- High-risk activities and environments
- Factors contributing to injury
2. Work Health and Safety (WHS) Legislation
- Overview of WHS laws and regulations
- Employer and employee responsibilities
- Reporting and recording workplace injuries
3. Identifying Risks and Hazards in Disability Support
- Conducting Risk Assessments in the Workplace
- Recognising Environmental and Task-Related Hazards
- Reporting and Addressing Safety Concerns
4. Participant-Centred Risk Management
- Involving participants in safety planning
- Respecting individual preferences and choices
- Balancing independence with safety
5. Safe Mobility and Transfers
- Assisting Participants with Limited Mobility
- Techniques for Bed-to-Wheelchair and Chair Transfers
- Reducing Fall Risks During Transfers
6. Preventing Falls and Slips
- Common Causes of Falls Among Participants
- Modifying Environments to Reduce Fall Risks
- Assisting Participants with Balance and Stability
7. Preventing Injuries During Personal Care Assistance
- Safe Techniques for Assisting with Dressing and Hygiene
- Handling Heavy or Uncooperative Participants Safely
- Protecting Both Worker and Participant During Transfers
8. Fire and Emergency Preparedness
- Identifying Fire and Emergency Risks in Support Settings
- Assisting Participants in Evacuations
- Understanding Fire Safety Equipment and Procedures
9. Infection Control and Hygiene Practices
- Preventing the Spread of Infections in Disability Support
- Proper Hand Hygiene and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Safe Handling of Contaminated Materials
10. Preventing Injuries from Challenging Behaviours
- Understanding Aggression and Self-Harm Risks
- De-escalation Techniques and Crisis Intervention
- Ensuring Worker and Participant Safety
11. Supporting Participants with Complex Health Needs
- Managing chronic conditions and comorbidities
- Preventing pressure sores and skin injuries
- Monitoring and responding to health changes
12. Safe Medication Handling and Administration
- Reducing Risks Associated with Medication Errors
- Storing and Administering Medications Safely
- Identifying and Responding to Adverse Reactions
13. Transport Safety for NDIS Participants
- Assisting Participants in and Out of Vehicles Safely
- Securing Mobility Aids and Wheelchairs in Vehicles
- Managing Emergencies During Transport
14. Workplace Violence and Personal Safety
- Identifying and Managing Workplace Violence Risks
- Protecting Yourself from Physical Harm
- When and How to Report Workplace Incidents
15. Using Assistive Technology and Equipment Safely
- Choosing the Right Assistive Equipment for Participants
- Ensuring Equipment is Maintained and Used Correctly
- Training Participants in Safe Use of Assistive Devices
16. Supporting Participants in Safe Community Access
- Risk Management in Outdoor and Public Environments
- Assisting Participants in Navigating Uneven Terrain
- Preventing Injuries During Recreational Activities
17. Documentation and Reporting of Injuries
- Importance of Accurate Incident Reporting
- Steps to Take When an Injury Occurs
- Reviewing and Improving Safety Practices Based on Reports
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.