COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Manage Significant Safety Threats in Ageing Support course. This comprehensive program is designed to strengthen your ability to identify, assess and respond to serious safety risks affecting older residents and the workers who support them across residential, respite, community and home-based aged care services.

This course begins by outlining the major categories of safety threats for residents and workers, clarifying legal, regulatory and duty-of-care obligations in aged care, describing the respective roles of managers, clinicians, care staff, support staff and contractors, and mapping the risk assessment, reporting, investigation and escalation pathways that must operate together to maintain safe, compliant and person-centred services.

Resident safety threats frequently arise from slips, trips, falls and broader environmental hazards within and around aged care environments. This section examines how wet or slippery floors in bathrooms, ensuites, dining rooms, laundries and kitchens, spills of drinks, food, cleaning fluids or body fluids that are not cleaned promptly, and loose mats, rugs, electrical cords and oxygen tubing across walkways increase the risk of serious falls. It also explores hazards such as uneven flooring, raised thresholds, worn carpet or damaged tiles, poor lighting in corridors, bedrooms and outdoor paths (especially at night), steps and ramps without rails or poorly marked changes in floor level, slippery external paths, driveways and car parks when wet, mossy or icy, and falls on garden paths, patios and car parks with uneven surfaces. Further attention is given to risks of heat stress or sunburn during outdoor activities without shade or sun protection, insect bites and stings in gardens or courtyard areas, and hazards associated with ponds, water features or other unfenced water sources that may attract but endanger residents.

Mobility, transfers and positioning are core components of daily life in ageing support yet can quickly become major sources of harm if poorly managed. This section explores falls that occur when residents are getting in or out of bed, chairs, toilets or shower chairs, and falls from wheelchairs when brakes are not applied or footplates are not used correctly. It considers injuries during transfers with or without hoists when manual handling technique is poor, the instability and heightened fall risk associated with poorly adjusted mobility aids such as walkers, sticks and wheelchairs, and the development of pressure injuries from long periods sitting or lying or from unsuitable mattresses and cushions. The content also addresses joint pain and musculoskeletal problems arising from lack of support or improper seating, highlighting the need for structured mobility assessments, regular review and well-planned manual handling strategies.

Clinical care and equipment provide essential support but, if not selected, used and maintained correctly, can introduce serious safety threats. This section investigates entrapment or crush injuries involving beds, bedrails, recliners or lift chairs, and skin tears resulting from knocks, rough surfaces, poorly positioned furniture or handling. It examines burns caused by heat packs, hot water bottles, heated blankets or hot drinks placed too close to residents’ skin, and injuries arising from malfunctioning or incorrectly used hoists, slings, commodes or shower chairs. Additional focus is given to electric shock risks from damaged cords, power boards or appliances in resident rooms, and oxygen-related hazards, including trip risks from tubing and the increased fire risk when oxygen is present around open flames, smoking materials or heat sources.

Infection, hygiene and biological risks are ever-present in aged care settings and can have severe consequences for frail or immunocompromised residents. This section explores the spread of respiratory infections such as colds, influenza, COVID-19 and pneumonia in shared spaces, as well as gastroenteritis arising from contaminated food, surfaces, toilets or communal bathrooms. It examines wound infections linked to pressure injuries, skin tears or surgical and vascular wounds, and urinary tract and catheter-related infections that can lead to delirium, sepsis and hospitalisation. The content also addresses exposure to other residents’ blood or body fluids in shared areas and the impact of poor hand hygiene by residents, staff and visitors, emphasising how lapses in infection prevention practices can rapidly escalate into outbreaks and serious clinical deterioration.

Hazardous substances and chemical exposure represent additional safety threats for older residents whose skin, respiratory and cognitive function may already be compromised. This section examines irritation from cleaning chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants and sprays used nearby, breathing difficulties triggered by disinfectant fumes, air fresheners or strong odours, and skin irritation or dermatitis resulting from soaps, incontinence products or laundry detergents. It explores the risk of accidental ingestion of chemicals when confused or wandering residents access unsecured products, and the dangers of exposure to oxygen, alcohol-based sanitisers and other flammable substances near ignition sources. The importance of safe storage, clear labelling, supervision and adherence to chemical safety protocols is reinforced throughout.

Medication safety and adverse effects are central to resident wellbeing and can become critical safety threats when systems fail or monitoring is inadequate. This section considers how incorrect medication dosage or timing can cause under-dose or overdose, leading to deterioration or toxicity, and how side effects such as dizziness, confusion, drowsiness or low blood pressure increase falls, delirium and injury risk. It explores the heightened fall risk associated with sedatives, antipsychotics, antihypertensives and strong pain medicines, the potential for adverse reactions or interactions when multiple medications are used, and the serious consequences of missed medications for conditions such as heart failure, diabetes and epilepsy. Structured medication management, monitoring and communication strategies are emphasised as key preventative measures.

Nutrition, hydration and swallowing safety play a vital role in preventing avoidable harm in ageing support. This section explores the risk of choking or aspiration when eating or drinking, particularly where dysphagia is present or mealtime supports are inconsistent, and the dangers associated with residents receiving inappropriate food textures or fluid consistencies. It examines burns from hot food and drinks provided without adequate temperature checks, dehydration when fluids are not offered regularly or are not easily accessible, and malnutrition resulting from inadequate intake, dental problems, poor appetite or lack of assistance with meals. The content highlights the importance of coordinated assessments, dietetic and speech pathology input, and vigilant mealtime supervision.

Behavioural, interpersonal and psychosocial risks also have major implications for resident safety and quality of life. This section investigates physical aggression or rough behaviour from other residents, incidents of resident-to-resident pushing, hitting, wandering into others’ rooms and conflicts, and the distress generated by shouting, agitation or disruptive behaviours in shared spaces. It looks at fear or anxiety that may follow aggression, loud altercations or visible distress in others, and the way noise, crowding and constant activity can contribute to ongoing distress, anxiety or low mood. The impact of sleep disruption from light, noise or frequent night-time disturbances, the emotional effect of witnessing illness, decline or death of other residents, and feelings of isolation or fear after falls or other incidents are also explored, with an emphasis on trauma-informed, person-centred responses.

Worker safety threats related to manual handling and musculoskeletal strain are widespread in ageing support and can significantly affect workforce sustainability and care quality. This section examines back, neck and shoulder injuries from lifting, turning or repositioning residents, strains from repeated transfers using hoists, slide sheets and standing aids, and injuries sustained when trying to “catch” or support a falling resident. It explores the consequences of pushing and pulling heavy beds, wheelchairs, trolleys and equipment, repetitive tasks such as bed-making, cleaning and meal service that contribute to overuse injuries, and working in awkward postures in cramped bathrooms or beside beds, reinforcing the need for robust manual handling systems, equipment and staffing models.

Slips, trips and falls are also a major source of harm for aged care workers as they move continuously through resident and service environments. This section addresses slips on wet floors created by showers, mopping, spills or leaks, trips over cords, tubes, hoist legs, trolleys and clutter in corridors, and falls associated with uneven or damaged flooring, steps and external surfaces. It also considers slips and trips in car parks, external paths and during community or home visits for community-based staff, highlighting how environmental design, housekeeping, footwear, lighting and reporting systems interact to influence worker injury rates.

Clinical and physical task hazards expose workers to significant risk when equipment, processes or behaviours are not well controlled. This section looks at risks of being struck or crushed by moving beds, recliners or hoists, injuries arising from malfunctioning or incorrectly assembled hoists, slings and commodes, and cuts, bruises and skin injuries associated with sharp edges, equipment and moving furniture. It explores the potential for needle-stick injuries from insulin needles, syringes and lancets, and eye and skin injuries from splashes during personal care or cleaning tasks, emphasising the importance of safe equipment use, PPE and incident follow-up.

Infection and biological exposure hazards are a routine but serious feature of daily work in ageing support. This section explores exposure to blood and body fluids during personal care, wound care and incidents, contact with vomit, faeces, urine or respiratory secretions in day-to-day care and during outbreaks, and the risk of respiratory infections such as influenza, COVID-19 and pneumonia arising from close contact with residents and colleagues. It also examines gastrointestinal illness when working during norovirus-type or other outbreaks and infection risk following needle-stick or other sharps injuries, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions, vaccination programs and post-exposure protocols.

Hazardous substances and chemical agents can also compromise worker health when exposure is frequent or controls are inadequate. This section considers skin irritation or dermatitis from frequent use of detergents, disinfectants and hand hygiene products, eye and respiratory irritation from spray disinfectants, chlorine-based cleaners or aerosols, and headaches or nausea from strong chemical fumes in poorly ventilated areas. It examines the dangers of accidental chemical splashes onto skin or eyes while mixing or using cleaning agents, and the specific risks associated with handling oxygen cylinders and concentrators where there is fire risk near flames or sparks, supporting a more systematic approach to chemical safety and ventilation.

Medication handling and behavioural aggression expose aged care workers to combined clinical, legal and physical risks. This section addresses the responsibilities and pressures associated with handling and preparing high-risk medications such as insulin, anticoagulants and opioids for clinical staff, and the potential health implications of exposure to certain hazardous medicines, including some cytotoxic and hormonal preparations. It explores the stress and psychological impact of medication errors or near misses, and the reality of physical assaults by residents, including hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, hair pulling and spitting. It also examines the risks of being grabbed or pushed when residents are confused, frightened or resist care, injuries from objects thrown by distressed residents or visiting family, and the dangers faced when separating aggressive residents or intervening in fights.

Psychological, fatigue, food service and outdoor or transport-related risks collectively influence workers’ ability to perform safely over time. This section explores chronic stress from high workload, staff shortages and time pressure, emotional strain from caring for residents with dementia, complex illness or at end of life, and the grief and cumulative loss experienced as residents deteriorate or die. It examines fatigue from shift work, rotating rosters, nights and double shifts, and how reduced alertness increases error and accident risk. The content also covers burns and scalds from ovens, stoves, boiling water, hot trays and dishwashers, cuts from knives or broken glass and crockery in kitchen or meal service areas, slips on greasy or wet kitchen floors, and exposure to cleaning chemicals and dishwashing agents in confined kitchen spaces. Finally, it considers trips and falls while moving residents or equipment outside or escorting them to vehicles, exposure to heat, cold, wind and rain during outdoor activities or transfers, manual handling injuries when helping residents in and out of vehicles, vehicle-related risks for community-based staff, and injuries during basic maintenance tasks such as moving furniture, handling bins or assisting with gardening.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with a solid understanding of significant safety threats in ageing support practice, along with the practical risk-assessment tools, prevention strategies and escalation approaches needed to protect residents and workers, meet legal and regulatory obligations, and sustain safe, high-quality aged care environments across a range of service settings.

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 Safety Threats in Aged Care Settings

• Major categories of safety threats for residents and workers
• Legal, regulatory and duty-of-care obligations in aged care
• Roles of managers, clinicians, care staff, support staff and contractors
• Risk assessment, reporting, investigation and escalation pathways

2. Resident Safety Threats – Slips, Trips, Falls and Environmental Hazards

• Wet or slippery floors in bathrooms, ensuites, dining rooms, laundries and kitchens
• Spills of drinks, food, cleaning fluids or body fluids not cleaned promptly
• Loose mats, rugs, electrical cords and oxygen tubing across walkways
• Uneven flooring, raised thresholds, worn carpet or damaged tiles
• Poor lighting in corridors, bedrooms and outdoor paths, especially at night
• Steps and ramps without rails, or poorly marked changes in floor level
• Slippery external paths, driveways and car parks when wet, mossy or icy
• Falls on garden paths, patios and car parks with uneven surfaces
• Heat stress or sunburn during outdoor activities without shade or sun protection
• Insect bites and stings in gardens or courtyard areas
• Hazards from ponds, water features or other unfenced water sources

3. Resident Safety Threats – Mobility, Transfers and Positioning

• Falls when getting in or out of bed, chairs, toilets or shower chairs
• Falls from wheelchairs when brakes are not applied or footplates not used correctly
• Injury during transfers with or without hoists when technique is poor
• Poorly adjusted mobility aids leading to instability
• Pressure injuries from long periods sitting or lying, or unsuitable mattresses/cushions
• Joint pain and musculoskeletal issues from lack of support or improper seating

4. Resident Safety Threats – Clinical Care and Equipment

• Entrapment or crush injuries from beds, bedrails, recliners or lift chairs
• Skin tears from knocks, rough surfaces, poorly positioned furniture or handling
• Burns from heat packs, hot water bottles, heated blankets or hot drinks
• Injury from malfunctioning or incorrectly used hoists, slings, commodes or shower chairs
• Electric shock from damaged cords, power boards or appliances in rooms
• Oxygen-related hazards, including trip risks from tubing and increased fire risk around flames or smoking

5. Resident Safety Threats – Infection, Hygiene and Biological Risks

• Respiratory infections spreading in shared spaces
• Gastroenteritis from contaminated food, surfaces, toilets or communal bathrooms
• Wound infections from pressure injuries, skin tears or surgical/vascular wounds
• Urinary tract and catheter-related infections
• Exposure to other residents’ blood or body fluids in shared areas
• Poor hand hygiene by residents, staff and visitors increasing infection risk

6. Resident Safety Threats – Hazardous Substances and Chemical Exposure

• Irritation from cleaning chemicals used nearby
• Breathing difficulties triggered by disinfectant fumes, air fresheners or strong odours
• Skin irritation or dermatitis from soaps, incontinence products or laundry detergents
• Accidental ingestion of chemicals when confused residents access unsecured products
• Exposure to oxygen, alcohol-based sanitisers and other flammable substances near ignition sources

7. Resident Safety Threats – Medication Safety and Adverse Effects

• Incorrect medication dosage or timing causing under-dose or overdose
• Side effects such as dizziness, confusion, drowsiness or low blood pressure
• Increased fall risk from sedatives, antipsychotics, antihypertensives and strong pain medicines
• Adverse reactions or interactions when multiple medications are used
• Missed medications leading to deterioration

8. Resident Safety Threats – Nutrition, Hydration and Swallowing

• Choking or aspiration when eating or drinking, especially with dysphagia
• Receiving inappropriate food textures or fluid consistencies
• Burns from hot food and drinks
• Dehydration when fluids are not offered or easily accessible
• Malnutrition from inadequate intake, dental problems or lack of assistance with meals

9. Resident Safety Threats – Behavioural, Interpersonal and Psychosocial Risks

• Physical aggression or rough behaviour from other residents
• Resident-to-resident pushing, hitting, wandering into others’ rooms and conflicts
• Distress from shouting, agitation or disruptive behaviours in shared spaces
• Fear or anxiety after aggression, loud altercations or visible distress in others
• Distress, anxiety or low mood from noise, crowding and constant activity
• Sleep disruption from light, noise or frequent night-time disturbances
• Emotional impact of witnessing illness, decline or death of other residents
• Feelings of isolation or fear after falls or other incidents

10. Worker Safety Threats – Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Strain

• Back, neck and shoulder injuries from lifting, turning or repositioning residents
• Strains from repeated transfers using hoists, slide sheets and standing aids
• Injuries when “catching” or supporting a falling resident
• Pushing and pulling heavy beds, wheelchairs, trolleys and equipment
• Repetitive tasks causing overuse injuries
• Working in awkward postures in cramped bathrooms or beside beds

11. Worker Safety Threats – Slips, Trips and Falls

• Slips on wet floors from showers, mopping, spills or leaks
• Trips over cords, tubes, hoist legs, trolleys and clutter in corridors
• Falls on uneven or damaged flooring, steps and external surfaces
• Slips and trips in car parks, external paths and during community or home visits for community-based staff

12. Worker Safety Threats – Clinical and Physical Task Hazards

• Being struck or crushed by moving beds, recliners or hoists
• Injuries from malfunctioning or incorrectly assembled hoists, slings and commodes
• Cuts, bruises and skin injuries from sharp edges, equipment and moving furniture
• Needle-stick injuries from insulin needles, syringes and lancets
• Eye and skin injuries from splashes during personal care or cleaning tasks

13. Worker Safety Threats – Infection and Biological Exposure

• Exposure to blood and body fluids during personal care, wound care and incidents
• Contact with vomit, faeces, urine or respiratory secretions in daily care and outbreaks
• Risk of respiratory infections from close contact
• Gastrointestinal illness when working during norovirus-type or other outbreaks
• Infection risk following needle-stick or other sharps injuries

14. Worker Safety Threats – Hazardous Substances and Chemical Agents

• Skin irritation or dermatitis from frequent use of detergents, disinfectants and hand hygiene products
• Eye and respiratory irritation from spray disinfectants, chlorine-based cleaners or aerosols
• Headaches or nausea from strong chemical fumes in poorly ventilated areas
• Accidental chemical splashes onto skin or eyes while mixing or using cleaning agents
• Handling of oxygen cylinders and concentrators with fire risk near flames or sparks

15. Worker Safety Threats – Medication Handling and Behavioural Aggression

• Handling and preparing high-risk medications for clinical staff
• Exposure to certain hazardous medicines
• Stress and health impact associated with medication errors or near misses
• Physical assaults by residents
• Being grabbed or pushed when residents are confused, frightened or resist care
• Injuries from objects thrown by distressed residents or visiting family
• Risk of injury when separating aggressive residents or intervening in fights

16. Worker Safety Threats – Psychological, Fatigue, Food Service and Outdoor/Transport Risks

• Chronic stress from high workload, staff shortages and time pressure
• Emotional strain from caring for residents with dementia, complex illness or at end of life
• Grief and cumulative loss as residents deteriorate or die
• Fatigue from shift work
• Reduced alertness and increased error or accident risk due to tiredness
• Burns and scalds from ovens, stoves, boiling water, hot trays and dishwashers
• Cuts from knives or broken glass and crockery in kitchen or meal service areas
• Slips on greasy or wet kitchen floors
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and dishwashing agents in confined kitchen spaces
• Trips and falls while moving residents or equipment outside or escorting them to vehicles
• Exposure to heat, cold, wind and rain during outdoor activities or transfers
• Manual handling injuries when helping residents in and out of vehicles
• Vehicle-related risks for community-based staff
• Injuries during basic maintenance tasks such as moving furniture, handling bins or assisting with gardening tasks

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 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”.