Details: This risk assessment was completed as a desktop exercise considering all of the key risks to health and safety of Hireup Support Workers associated with providing services in a Client’s home and in the community. The risk assessment was a collaboration between Hireup Management and the Support Worker WHS Working Group. | Date of Risk Assessment: |
Consulted at Support Worker WHS Working Group on 13/02/2025: Jodie S, Deborah D, Libbii N, Chinyere O, Megan L, Laura H
Consulted at Support Worker WHS Working Group on 19/07/2026: Chris D, Susanne W, Angela K, Diane B, Gabrielle C, Kaytlin P, Megan L, Sarah B
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| Risk | Causes | Controls | Residual Risk Rating (after controls considered) |
| Property Damage / Theft | - Actions of Client/Account Manager or another third party
- Behavioural escalation
- Using equipment without training
| - Avoid taking personal effects on bookings
- Keep personal items on person
- Leave personal items in car
- Do not loan items to Client
| Moderate / possible
MEDIUM |
| Injury sustained as a result of slips, trips and falls | - Hoarding
- Untidy environment
- Inappropriate Support Worker footwear
- Not enough/confined space
- Trying to catch a falling Client
- Carrying too much
- Wet surfaces
- Slippery surfaces
- Access to house/yard is blocked or impeded
- Rushing
| - Stop, Think, Plan Tool & mandatory training
- Refer to Client Risk table
- Induction/introduction to Client’s home
- Clear any obstructions prior to commencing activity
- Wear appropriate footwear for environment
- Avoid catching full weight of Client if they fall / trip
- Do not attempt to lift Client after a fall
- Clear, dry or clean floors
- Discuss alternative arrangements with Client
- Do multiple trips when carrying items
- Contact Hireup if the risk cannot be controlled to a level that you feel safe to continue
| Major / possible
HIGH |
| Musculoskeletal injury due to manual handling | - Wheelchair pushing
- Assisted walking, lifting, or standing
- Lifting equipment such as wheelchairs, trolleys, and beds
- Lifting, supporting, and moving Client
- Lifting heavy objects
- Protecting Client from fall/ falling objects
- Lack of or broken equipment
- 2:1 support but only 1 person
| - Refer to Client Risk table
- Manual Handling Training
- Manual Handling Plan
- Training of Support Worker by Client / Client’s family / Practitioner in Client’s support needs
- Stop Think Plan Risk tool
- Request training in use of equipment
- Request assistance
- Do not rush
- Plan the lift / transfer
- Discussing reduced or limited capacity with Client
- Ensure 2:1 support where required
- Accommodate height of shortest person in transfers
- Do not commence activity that you feel is unsafe
- Contact Hireup if the risk cannot be controlled to a level that you feel safe to continue
| Major / possible
HIGH |
| Requests outside of Job Description resulting in injury | - Lifting heavy objects
- Bringing own equipment
- Task requires skilled person
- Third party requesting assistance with unrelated task on booking
- Requests outside of work hours
| - Refer to “Types of support a Hireup Support Worker cannot provide” article
- Professional boundaries- declining requests outside of Job description
- Discussion around role/duties of Support Worker with Client’ Account Manager
- Contact Hireup if the risk cannot be controlled to a level that you feel safe to continue
- Report requests outside of the job description to Hireup
- Keep messaging on Hireup platform
- Set specific time to respond to correspondence and communicate with Client/ Account Manager you will not be reviewing messaging outside of that time
| Moderate / possible
MEDIUM |
| Physical harm |
- Intentional actions of Client/Account Manager or another third party
- Emergency in the environment which requires evacuation
| | Major / unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Psychological harm | - Bullying
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Coercive control (pressure to work longer, pay for things, take on non-agreed household duties)
- Unrealistic workload for scheduled time
- Witnessing interpersonal conflict between household members
| - Refer to Client Risk table
- Access Employee Assistance Program
- Leave residence/location
- Varied shift portfolio (work with multiple Clients)
- Set good professional boundaries
- Request Profile Block via Community Support Team
- Booking notes
- Mandatory training modules
- Report concerns to Hireup
- Plan tasks with Client ahead of time
| Major / possible
HIGH |
| Sexual harassment | - Intentional actions of Client/ Account Manager or another third party
- Sexualised behaviours of Client
| - Establish good professional boundaries with Client
- Refer to Client Risk table
- Leave the location as soon as possible and contact Police/Hireup
- Be explicit with perpetrator or get assistance to support the conversations about the impact of actions
- Obtain and review Behaviour Support Plan
- Discuss Behaviour Support Plans with Account Manager prior to booking
- Training in Behaviour Support Plan by Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Request Booking Block via Community Support Team
| Major / possible
HIGH |
| Behavioural escalation resulting in harm | - Behaviours arising from Client disability
- Behaviours arising from third party's disability
- Client behavioural escalation due to unmet needs (Environmental stressors, sensory overload, or co-resident/family conflict triggering escalation)
| - Refer to Client Risk table
- Refer to Behaviour Support Plan
- Hireup Mandatory Training
- Training in Behaviour Support Plan by Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Booking Notes / Shift Handover
- Contact Hireup if the risk cannot be controlled to a level that you feel safe to continue
| Major / possible
HIGH |
| Exposure to biological hazards resulting in harm | - Exposure to Bodily Fluids
- Exposure to Emerging or Established Disease
- Lack of appropriate PPE when completing personal care
- Exposure to Toxins from biological sources
- Exposure to Spores, fungi, mould
- Exposure to sharps
- Exposure to allergens
| - Ensure PPE is provided by Client prior to commencing task
- Refer to Client Risk table
- If any concerns regarding accessing PPE, do not begin task and report to Hireup
- Reducing contact with Hazard
- Correct disposal of sharps
- Carry spare change of clothes
- Do not complete unsafe task
- Seek immediate medical attention if exposed to biological hazard
- Report all incidents and near-misses to Hireup
| Moderate / possible
MEDIUM |
| Hit by moving object | - Hit by door
- Hit by electric wheelchair
- Object is thrown
| - Stop think Plan Risk tool
- Behaviour Support Plan
- Refer to Client Risk table
- Training in Behaviour Support Plan by Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Ensure environment is clear from clutter
| Moderate / unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Bite by animal / insects | - No knowledge of animal
- Aggressive animal
- Unrestrained animal
| - Stop Think Plan Risk tool
- Refer to Client Risk table
- Discuss management of pets / animals in the home with Client
- Ensure the Client has their pets contained / restrained prior to commencing support shift
- Do not interact with wild animals
- Don't attempt to pet / handle animals
- Check surfaces
- Use insect repellant
| Major / unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Exposure to chemicals resulting in harm | - Exposure to household cleaning chemicals
- Lack of appropriate PPE
- Inappropriate use of chemicals
- Client receiving chemotherapy
- Drug use in work environment
| - Stop Think Plan Risk tool
- Ensure Client has provided appropriate PPE before commencing task. Do not complete task if PPE is not provided and report to Hireup.
- Refer to Client Risk table
- Minimising contact where practicable
- Ensure good ventilation when cleaning
- Leave the location and report to Hireup
- Seek immediate medical attention if exposed
| Moderate / unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Fatigue | - Lack of Sleep
- Lack of rest
- Long support hours
- High reliance of Client on Support Worker
| - Allow adequate rest between bookings
- Rest before overnight bookings
- Discuss booking length with Client/ Account Manager
- Communicate with Client and Hireup when experiencing fatigue
- Ensure you take breaks during long bookings
- Access EAP
| Moderate / possible
MEDIUM |
| Car accident resulting in injury | - Third party unsafe driving
- Adverse driving conditions
- Unsafe vehicle
- Support worker error
- Behavioural escalation in car
| - Complete vehicle inspection checklist periodically
- Pull over if driving in adverse conditions
- Plan route
- Follow Behaviour Support Plan
- 2:1 supports where required
- Service vehicle regularly
- Follow Safe Transport Policy
- Do not drive when fatigued
| Major / unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Sunburn | | - Use sunscreen / long sleeves / wide brimmed hat
- Avoid extended sun exposure in the middle of the day
- Stop Think Plan tool
- Plan activities ahead based on weather forecast
| Minor / unlikely
LOW |
| Electrical Shock | - Using faulty electrical equipment
- Using electrical equipment in wet areas
| - Inspect electrical equipment before use, do not use damaged equipment.
- Do not use double adapters
- Report all electrical safety concerns to Hireup
- Do not use electrical equipment in wet areas
- Refer to Client’s support plan
| Major/ unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Adverse Weather Event resulting in harm | - Flooding event
- Bush fire event
- Heat wave
- Hail
| - Refer to Sonder app for localised weather hazard information
- Re-arrange bookings to avoid going out in weather event where possible
- Discuss Client emergency management plan at meet and greet
- Report concerns regarding weather events to Hireup
| Major/ unlikely
MEDIUM |
| Sport / hobby activity resulting in harm | - Falling off skateboard/ horse/ rock climbing wall
- Injury playing soccer/ Netball/ AFL/ Rugby/ Basketball / water sports
| - Decline unsafe requests
- Refer to Client Risk table
- Use Stop Think Plan Risk Assessment
- Use PPE relevant to activity
- Do not exceed skill level
| Moderate / possible
MEDIUM |
| Misuse of Funds/ Fraudulent use of funding requests | - Requests to re-imburse support worker expanses through booking hours/ kilometers
- Request to complete professional services beyond Hireup Job Description
- Requests to support anyone other then the Client you are booked with
- Requests to lodge inaccurate hours and kilometers
| - Follow obligations of employment contract
- Decline and report any misuse of funds/ fraudulent booking requests to Hireup
- Ensure booking hours and kilometers are accurate and include shift notes and accurate kilometer descriptions
- Refer to “Types of support a Hireup Support Worker cannot provide” article
- Professional boundaries- decline requests outside of Job description
| Major/ Unlikely
MEDIUM |